Archive for the “Articles” Category
by Greg Johnson
It would be nice to be able to say that all of us autographed baseball collectors have had nothing but good experiences, but unfortunately that is not the case. As a collector you will find that you will run into bad experiences and these can happen in different ways. If you collect autographed baseballs for a good amount of time you will most likely buy a fake ball, get one of your balls stolen or damaged, and even run into some baseball players who won't treat you very well when you try to get their autographs.
Regardless of what happens, you have to remember that things like this happen and you must move on. My advice is that you do not let things like this get to you and that you move on with a smile. Personally I have not had many bad experiences but I have ran into some players that have been pretty mean about giving autographs.
Jonathan Sanchez, the Puerto Rican pitcher for the San Francisco Giants that threw a no-hitter in 2009, was actually one of my bad experiences more than once. After his no-hitter, Sanchez was a pretty popular person when it came to people trying to get his autograph. The thing was, I think I tried getting his autograph more than 10 times before then and he always ignored me. There were times when it was just the two of us standing next to each other and he still denied me. I even spoke in Spanish to him and asked him for an autograph and twice he said “mañana,” which means tomorrow.
Now I know sometimes players are busy and or have other things going on that keep them from being able to give autographs, but I doubt that was the case for all of the times that I asked. To me, it is a shame when players hesitate so much for just a simple autograph, I think it is something that they owe to the fans, after all, if there were no fans, they would have no jobs!
Although these experiences can really make a fan lose hope, I never have, and you should not either. We have to accept that not everyone in this world is going to be nice about your hobby as an autographed baseball collector, so get out there and work at it. The nice this is that you can build a collection without setting yourself up for disappointment.
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By Greg Johnson
We all like to hear the “rags to riches,” “from the ground up,” “from nothing to something” stories. It can be satisfying to hear that what was once worth next to nothing eventually came to be something that people value in more than just monetary ways. This can be the case with some of the autographed baseballs that at first seem like they will not be worth much, and for some reason end up increasing in worth. It's true that autographs values can be a 'zero to hero' kind of thing.
Unfortunately the same can be said about autographed balls that at one point are worth a good amount of money, and then eventually loose that value. Regardless, if you are ever going to get rid of one of your signed baseballs, whether you are selling it or giving it away, make sure you know what you are getting rid of before you do it. Also, remember if the player is still in the league there is no telling what can happen and there is still a chance that his autograph goes up value.
Personally, I have stories on both sides of the spectrum, I have held on to balls that were not worth anything and then their value went up, but I have also held on to balls that were once worth more and declined value over the time. In this case, I will tell you about my “feel good” story and perhaps I can influence you to try to keep all the baseballs that you get autographed.
I think I can say that I tried getting Edgar Renteria’s autograph about ten times throughout the seasons of 2009 and 2010. For some reason I never got it because he was always busy and sometimes he just straight denied me. I am not exactly sure why I insisted so much because I was never really a big fan of him but I guess you can say I am persistent.
For some reason towards the end of the 2010 season he gave me an autograph and I put it in my collection. If you were to have checked on Ebay, and looked up an Edgar Renteria signed ball, you would have seen that they were on sale for $20-40 and most of those weren't selling. But autograph values can change like the stock market.
If you watched the 2010 World Series, you know that Renteria was the MVP and just as he did in 1997 with the Florida Marlins, became the series hero. And just like that, in a matter of days, a signed ball by him is worth a little more. Now, if I was someone else trying to make money that would be very convenient for me. I choose to keep all my signed balls whether they are worth money or not, but that is only because to me they have a sentimental value.
Other players, like Albert Pujols can be decent, but not heralded minor league draft picks and then suddenly explode on the scene to become future Hall of Famers. Pitchers who are an afterthought sometimes find their niche later in a career and eventually put up Cooperstown-worthy numbers like Randy Johnson, who coincidentally is a tough autograph.
The most important point here is that you just never know when a signed ball can go up price unexpected, because it can take a player as little asone at-bat to make history.
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How much online shopping do you do on sites like Ebay and Amazon? How convenient do you find that kind of shopping? With Internet shopping becoming so popular there are many people who rarely go out of their houses to obtain things they need or want. Now, as convenient as these places can be for any kind of shopping, if you are a baseball collector you have to be very careful when trying to buy autographed baseballs from places like Ebay and Amazon. However, they're also the best places to find great deals since you'll rarely have to pay full price.
First, there are many sports memorabilia companies that have their ebay stores and these stores can be a legitimate way of shopping for authentic signed baseballs by your favorite players. But, just make sure that before you purchase from any of these stores, that the particular store has a good reputation on ebay. Plus, what better way to determine the store’s authenticity than to read what other buyers like you have to say? If this seller has good rating, and is known for selling autographed memorabilia, chances are pretty high that he or she is selling authentic signature items. That's true for any seller, not those who call themselves "dealers".
If the baseballs that you buy from these places also come with a certificate of authenticity, do your research, make some calls, send some emails and find out if the company issuing the COA is a legit one. It never hurts to just make sure. There are plenty of signed baseballs out there that don't have COAs. Sometimes the cost doesn't justify the expense based on the ball's ultimate value. Sometimes sellers just aren't aware. Utilize the quick opinion services offered by companies like PSA/DNA and Ace Authentication if you just want some peace of mind.
Amazon.com has deals with many of the top memorabilia companies who compete against each other through the largest online seller in the world. Obviously Amazon is vigilant when deciding who to allow to sell through their brand name.
Knowing how to buy autographed baseballs on eBay or Amazon can be the key to building a nice collection without spending a lot of money. Utilize our links to signed baseballs for sale and you can find exactly what you're looking for.
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Official Major League Baseballs can often cost $15-25, so collecting autographed baseballs can be expensive, especially if you don’t have much budget for it. Most collectors and dealers insist on dealing only in baseballs that are identical to those used in big league games. So how do you build a nice collection without investing a lot?
Do free MLB authentic baseballs sound good for you? Although it may sound too good to be true it is actually possible. If you want to save yourself some money when it comes to actually getting that Rawlings official ball, there are also some tips you can take so that you can be a collector. And no, it does not involve catching any foul balls or home runs during the actual game. Theh possibilities of that happening are very slim, no matter who you are or where you’re sitting at.
Again, this involves coming to the ballpark when the gate opens, which is two hours before the actual game. As you get to the ballpark, you will see that the players are taking batting practice and this is the perfect time to get yourself one or a few official MLB baseballs for free. If you do things right, you will get more than one, almost guaranteed. Don’t forget to bring a glove because during batting practice the players WILL be hitting balls out of the ballpark and if you set yourself in the right place you should be able to catch at least one.
The home team always does batting practice first, so if this is at your local ballpark and you’re a fan of the team, try to talk to the players and nicely ask for a ball. Call them by first name, speak to them in Spanish (if they are Latin players), or if you know any fact about the player that most people would not know (only good things) talk to them about it, they will be happy to know that you actually know who they are and that you actually follow them.
One more thing, if the visiting team is batting, treat them nice, and they will most likely be willing to give you a real Rawlings MLB baseball as well. That may not be the only way to get a ball but it has a very good chance. If you want to know how to make a device in order to trap some of the balls that are left in the warning track during batting practice, then you might want to read this entry.
If you're not convinced you can get a ball at a game, you can buy official MLB baseballs online at a reduced rate (see below).
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You may realize how important it is to make sure that you buy nothing but authentic signed baseballs. In fact, that already may be the first thing on your mind. But, do you happen to know the ways you can make sure that your signed ball is authentic?
There are many companies and individual sellers out there who claim to authenticate signatures and many people that will sell you signed balls with pictures claiming that those pictures were taken at the time the baseballs were signed. But of course, who is to say that the seller is not making copies of that picture and giving them to each one of his customers?
There are solid, reputable companies who do have the resources to authenticate autographs from every era. They have thousands of exemplars, experienced staff and the tools necessary to offer a certificate of authenticity. Knowing who those companies are is key.
Major League Baseball has an authentication program in which they guarantee that certain items are genuine and signed by actual players. They provide the sales outlet for certain sports memorabilia companies who have contracts with star players who sign a specific number of autographs, often for a hefty price. Yet you don't have to pay MLB.com prices to get authentic signed sports memorabilia that's just as solid.
Some of the better names you should look for when shopping for signed baseballs are PSA/DNA, James Spence Authentication (JSA), Steiner Sports, Mounted Memories and Upper Deck Authenticated. If you see a ball that isn't authenticated by one of those companies, it's best to look at the seller's feedback and the circumstances surrounding how the ball was obtained. Some autograph authenticators, including PSA and JSA offer a quick opinion service, where they'll look at a signature online and give you a non-binding opinion as to whether it's likely the autograph is genuine or not.
In the end, if you do your research well, you should be pretty confident that your collection is airtight. If at some point you decide to sell, having reputable COAs will make it much easier.
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The easy part may be to know what type of pen to use when getting your baseball autographed, or how to properly store your autographed baseballs. But what about the hard part? How do you get a baseball player to actually sign a baseball for you? How do you set yourself apart from other fans in order to get the attention of your favorite baseball player that you admire?
Let's get some tips on how to increase your chances. If you are a beginning collector of autographed baseballs these tips will be very helpful, matter of fact, they might help the collector who already has some experience.
First, you should come to the ballpark two hours before the first pitch. The gates usually open two hours before the game begins and the players are usually on the field at that time. The best thing is that at that time, there are very few fans and thus your chances for an autograph increase by a lot. If you can find an area where other autograph collectors are congregating, join them. Or, look around the park for an area where there aren't any fans but players are hanging out such as the outfield.
Smile, be polite but proactive, and be creative if you must in attracting the attention of players. Those who willingly sign autographs know what you want, but it never hurts to bring a creative sign or a special item relating to that player's career. He'll appreciate your effort.
Second, figure out where the players parking lot is, and at about 30 minutes after the game, again, when the crowd is gone, try to see if you can catch any players leaving so you can get an autograph.
Third but not least, most teams hold signing events for fans so stay on the lookout for those so you can attend them. If I could recommend one event it would “Fan Fest,” which usually every team has and the events are made so that the fans can interact with players. If you arrive early, you will most likely get at least a few autographs. Be prepared for a long wait, however and some you'll have to pay for...especially if you're chasing superstars like Albert Pujols.
But if you want to save yourself some time or if you don't live near a big league city, you can always purchase a ball signed by your favorite player. After all, the balls that are sold in the links here at Signature Baseballs are just as authentic as the ones you would get in person. You'll build your collection quickly and without a lot of hassle.
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Ok, so you find yourself with an autographed baseball signed with the right kind of ink, one that will make your ball look as crisp as possible for a long time. Now what?
Do you put it on it display as is or is there yet something else you can do to protect that collectible? You bet there is. There is yet one more thing you can do in order to try to preserve your baseball as long as possible, and that is to get a baseball display case.
Not only will a display case keep your autographed baseball from fading, as it will protect it from the rays of the sun and any curious people trying to get their hands on it, the display case will also give your collection an organized and professional look.
There are many storage cases that come with space to be able to write information about the baseball in display. This can prove to be very useful for you if you end up keeping the ball for a long time to come. So that when the day comes, you can easily explain to your grand kids the little story about the baseball and/or the player that you were lucky enough to get a signature from.
So, although a display case may seem like a commodity at first and add some extra expense, it can actually be considered more of a necessity to the dedicated autographed baseball collector.
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Whether you are a current or prospective collector of autographed baseballs, there is one important thing you must know. What is the best writing utensil that you must use when you get a baseball signed by a player?
If you want to preserve the baseball for a long time so that it has the best chance of being worth something in the future, or even if it’s not about the monetary but sentimental value that you are looking to preserve, this is an important but simple choice you can make. Through many years of being a baseball collector, I have seen many people make the wrong choice and use the wrong utensil, it hurts to see it because authentic Major League Baseballs can cost anywhere from $15 to $25, and if you choose the wrong writing utensil, not only can it ruin the autographed ball but it can waste a lot of money.
Now to the simple answer, the general rule is that when you get an autographed ball it should be signed with a BALL POINT PEN. It is that simple!
Now many people choose to use a Sharpie marker, but this is the worst choice of them all. At first, the marker will look great on the ball, but sooner or later that type of ink will run and bleed all over the ball and you will set yourself up for disappointment. This is not to say that pen ink will never run or bleed on baseballs, but, it is the best ink with the best chance to survive for a long time, plus there are additional tips that we can offer so that you can increase the chances of preserving that nice signed ball that you cherish, STAY TUNED for more!
Check our links to auctions and sales for baseballs signed with ballpoint pen. This simple piece of information will give your autographed baseball collection the highest chance of being preserved for a long time.
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Getting a baseball autographed is a lot different than having a piece of paper, photo or baseball card signed and that’s why autographed baseball preservation is key to keeping your item as nice as the day you received it.
The first thing to keep in mind is that while Sharpie markers have become popular for signing, don’t use one if you’re getting a baseball signed. Baseballs signed with a nice ballpoint pen have proven to hold up best over time. Because of its nature as a marker, the Sharpie signed ball will often fade or “melt” over time, leaving your autograph with shadows and an unsightly appearance that will greatly impact the value.
Important step number two when preserving autographed baseballs is one that’s often overlooked: avoid a lot of handling of the baseball with your bare hands, especially if they’re not clean. Even clean hands, though, contain oil from your skin that can fade the signature over time if you take it out and juggle it or carry it around
If you’ve got a signed baseball that’s faded, is it OK to trace over the autograph? NO! Never re-trace an autograph. It’s especially important with older baseballs, because one with signatures that have faded or aren’t as sharp as they once were, is still worth more than one that has been traced over. Most grading companies will reject any baseballs that have been tampered with.
Keep your autographed baseballs in protective display cases and don’t allow direct sunlight to hit them. UV rays will yellow the ball and cause major damage over a long period of time. A little natural light in the room is fine, but don’t let them get a tan.
The best temperature to store them in is 65 to 70 degrees with humidity of about 50%. Of course, some of our homes will be slightly warmer, but it’s best not to keep them in a very warm, humid room.
Follow these steps for autographed baseball preservation and your collection will maintain its value and its appearance for many years.
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By the late 1940s, signed Babe Ruth baseballs were everywhere. The Babe was one of sports' most generous signers and when he died in 1948, there's little doubt he had signed thousands, possibly tens of thousands of autographs, many of which wound up on baseballs.
 If you are a baseball fanatic - and even if you're not, it is common knowledge that Babe Ruth is widely considered the best baseball player of all time. Sure you can argue certain points, but when it comes down to it he still remains the most popular name in baseball history.
At first thought on may think that a baseball signed by the Babe would be a hard item to come by. Truth be told, it is easier than you may think to find a signed babe Ruth baseball. There are probably a couple of different reasons for this.
 1) Ruth was immensely popular from the moment he started playing up to present day. He was known to stop in the middle of whatever he was doing just to sign baseballs. While there are not thousands left, there is still a good number of them available.
2) Getting an autograph was different back then. Ruth was willing to give autographs anywhere and everywhere. Many of today's athletes are not nearly as approachable.
Despite the fact that signed Ruth baseballs are not that hard to come by, they remain one of the most popular - if not the most popular, collectors item around. Serious collectors are willing to go to great lengths to find one and pay huge amounts to purchase a high quality signed Babe Ruth baseball.
Make no mistake; if you are in the market for a baseball signed by Babe Ruth, then you are probably going to pay a pretty penny for it. There are also many team-signed baseballs from the Ruth era that will run you quite a bit of money as well.
The 1927 Yankees - or "Murderers' Row," as they were named are widely considered the best baseball team ever. If you got your hands on a baseball singed by the entire team, you would be holding something that would be nearly priceless in many collectors eyes. Ruth and Lou Gehrig along with the other Hall of Famers on the team by which all others are measured, make it a fantastic item.
How much should you pay for a signed Babe Ruth baseball? It depends on several factors including condition, the quality of the ball, readability of the signature and, of course, provenance/authenticity. Some authentic Ruth signed balls sell for around $3000. One or two others, stuck in drawers and never touched over the decades, have brought as much as $80,000. A readable, authentic Ruth ball, signed on the sweet spot (narrowest point between the laces) generally runs about $6-10,000. Beyond authenticity, condition is everything.
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