Going home after a professional baseball game with a signed ball, baseball card, or photo is a memory that you'll cherish a long time, but with thousands of fans clamoring for signatures from just a handful of athletes who may only sign for a minute or two, the odds of getting an autograph are stacked against you—unless you know the right strategy to adopt. Whether you're on the west coast, east coast, or somewhere in between, the general approach for getting an autograph doesn't really differ. Here's how to do it.

Get to the Front Row

Arriving at the stadium as soon as it opens to fans and heading down to the front row of the seats is a must if you're after an autograph. It's generally a good idea to find a spot around either dugout, as the players will be coming and going for their pre-game stretching and throwing routines before too long. Think about which team you wish to target for autographs. Generally, the crowd around the home dugout is thicker, given the popularity of the hometown players. This means that if you visit the visitors' dugout, you'll often have a better chance of success.

Have Your Materials Ready

The opportunity to have your favorite big-leaguer sign an autograph for you can come and go in an instant. If you aren't 100 percent ready, the moment may pass you by. Make sure that you have the item you wish to get signed as well as the appropriate writing utensil for the job. Generally, ballpoint pens are best for baseballs while permanent markers are ideal for baseball cards and photos. Don't count on borrowing a writing utensil from the fan next to you; this is a competitive situation, and the person may not be willing to share.

Use Your Manners

It should go without saying that being polite is important, but a visit to any stadium will show you that many autograph seekers don't know this rule. Don't scream repeated slogans such as "over here" to the player; he knows you're there even if he's not looking at you. It's ideal to simply address the player by name and keep your request friendly. For example, "Mr. Smith, could I trouble you for an autograph, please?" is an effective and polite way to get your request across. If there's a fan being obnoxious next to you, the player may avoid the area altogether. In this case, it can be advantageous to find a quieter area to stand.

Check out events put on by companies such as Lincoln Saltdogs Baseball so you can practice talking to players.