Thanks : Net54 dinner

[ChrisStufflestreet]

Finally got back home this morning, after an entire week without the Net.

We all had a great time at the show, but my daughter Melissa (age 10) had an awesome time. While she was on the floor, she ended up with a bunch of free stuff: a nice gentleman came by and gave her some autograph tickets, she got a picture of herself with a T206 Wagner at Memory Lane's table, and came home with all of my boxes filled with her stuff. And she may have paid all of $10 for what she got.

Sorry to report, but she was bored at the dinner. She and her mother went over to the pool once they finished eating. I, however, enjoyed meeting some guys I knew from their names and avatars and remembered again that I love this hobby; despite the negatives, the hobby is great because of the 99+% of hobbyists who look beyond the B.S. The personal interaction is one of the reasons I keep coming back to Nationals.

[dstudeba]

Thanks to the dinner I was able to sit and listen to Mark Macrae which is something I have wanted to do for years.

The rest of the dinner was also interesting and a pleasure. Thanks!

[wrapperguy]

The dinner was great fun. Thanks to Leon and SGC. Met many great people but missed out on many others that I wanted to speak with. Great job and thanks for the hospitality

[slantycouch]

Originally Posted by ChrisStufflestreet

We all had a great time at the show, but my daughter Melissa (age 10) had an awesome time. While she was on the floor, she ended up with a bunch of free stuff: a nice gentleman came by and gave her some autograph tickets, she got a picture of herself with a T206 Wagner at Memory Lane's table, and came home with all of my boxes filled with her stuff. And she may have paid all of $10 for what she got.

One of the most encouraging posts I've read regarding the National. Great to know a kid had a nice experience and there were some generous folks to boot. We need something... anything... to bring kids back to this hobby.

Thanks for sharing Chris.

[ChrisStufflestreet]

Originally Posted by slantycouch

One of the most encouraging posts I've read regarding the National. Great to know a kid had a nice experience and there were some generous folks to boot. We need something... anything... to bring kids back to this hobby.

Thanks for sharing Chris.

And thanks for commenting.

Melissa did more than have a great time. She was treated as if she were truly special. In addition to the cards she took home, she got autographs from five former players (Sonny Siebert, Lee May, Joe Charbonneau, Rick Reuschel, Don Schwall and Bob Feller...plus, we got to meet Whitey Ford) and all of those guys were gracious towards her, taking time to pose for pictures with her and ask her a couple of things. Siebert and Schwall were happy to see her wearing her Red Sox jersey, and Bob Feller told her she had a beautiful smile. Also while there, she met Dolly Niemiec from the AAGPBL. Having watched A League of Their Own several times, she was in awe to be meeting one of the real ladies of the league.

You're right, though...getting kids interested in the hobby is something that ought to be a bigger priority than it has been for far too long.

[E93]

I will add my thanks to Leon and SGC for sponsoring the event. It was a blast.
JimB