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Disappointing spring for avid Cubs fans

I have a friend who has been a Cubs fan for over 60 years. She watches every game. Due to a handicapped husband, she gave up her season tickets. It has always been her dream to go to spring training. We traveled over 1,800 miles at great expense to attend three games.

It was our goal to have balls signed for our grandchildren. We researched the "when and where" for optimal player contact. For three days, we went to Sloan Park and stood for hours. After the second day, we asked the security personnel for advice.

We were told that this year was very different from past years and the players were not coming near the fans. In fact, they used golf carts and circumvented the fans by going in a much lengthier direction to the field.

Day 3 in the rain, I stood next to a little boy, and next to him was a little girl in a wheelchair. The boy had baseball cards and told me he just wanted one or two signatures. "Me, too," I said, "but not one rostered player in three days has even waved." As the rain pounded on our heads, I could see the disappointment in his eyes. The game went forward and not one fan got an autograph.

I am sure that the players are tired of being pestered by old ladies and kids. However, the fans attending spring training have invested much time following a team who for 108 years has been mediocre at best. Without the fans, there would be no Cubs. In conclusion, we did get one signature from Fergie Jenkins, but we had to pay for it inside the park.

Susan Craven

Kildeer

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