Question about baseballs.

[rwolfe09]

Should I always use OMLBs to get autographs or should it be fine if I use something like this (http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=59040)?
Thanks for your help. Ryan

[Da Penguin]

I think a baseball is a baseball so it doesn't really matter what you get it on,it just matters if you get a signature

[Captain Cold Nose]

I think a baseball is a baseball so it doesn't really matter what you get it on,it just matters if you get a signature
To the serious collector, it actually does make a difference. Official balls, and this dates well back to when there were League Presidents, will always have a premium above the non-official ball. I, personally, am like you, Penguin. For All-Star Fanfest last year, I picked up a bag of balls with the store logo I bought them at. That's fine for me.

[rwolfe09]

I mean the first couple balls I got signed, I made sure they were OMLB..guys like Pat Neshek. I mean I just got a ball back from Jon Papelbon. One side has his little brother's signature (Josh). And that was an official NY-Penn League ball. Thanks for the help guys. I just wanted to make sure any ball would be fine because I just started collecting the autographed baseballs (I've been collecting autographs for about 4 years).

[Captain Cold Nose]

I mean the first couple balls I got signed, I made sure they were OMLB..guys like Pat Neshek. I mean I just got a ball back from Jon Papelbon. One side has his little brother's signature (Josh). And that was an official NY-Penn League ball. Thanks for the help guys. I just wanted to make sure any ball would be fine because I just started collecting the autographed baseballs (I've been collecting autographs for about 4 years).
Minor League balls for minor league players seems like a great idea.

[jpenrod]

Your best approach is to get a ball that is somehow linked to that player. if you are getting a minor leaguer it would be a good idea to have the official league ball from thier league, if they are a majo leaguer it is best to get an OMLB, etc. I have some minor leaguers that I got in Jacksonville and tried to get as many as I could on an official Southern League ball. I have tried to get all of my Tech players on official ACC balls and all major leaguers on MLB balls. to serious collectors this will make a big difference in value. if you are getting the autographs simply for your own enjoyment then get them on whatever you want, just realize that in the event you do ever wish to sell the item it will effect the value of it.

[rwolfe09]

Well, I don't have the $30 dollars at the moment. I'd love to have OMLBs. I'm going to meet Fred Lynn and Joe Altobelli this Tuesday. Hence the reason for the question.

[jpenrod]

Well, I don't have the $30 dollars at the moment. I'd love to have OMLBs. I'm going to meet Fred Lynn and Joe Altobelli this Tuesday. Hence the reason for the question.

That is kind of a different question than what you asked earlier. in an idea situation I would recommend using an official league ball unless there is a specific item you want to use instead. Of course idea situations are not always what you are dealing with a perfect example of this is a ball I have signed by Steve Bedrosian. I have it on an used "Official League" ball from a little league field, signed in red (also not idea). so why do I have it because he was at my nephews little league game watching his son and that was all that was available. If you are asking about getting the ball you linked or getting nothing I say get the ball in the link. if you are getting the autograph for your own enjoyment it doesn't really matter anyway.

[egautographs]

The main reason most serious collectors use OMLB's is that most other off-brand baseballs will have the signature bleed into the skin within a few months.

[jpenrod]

The main reason most serious collectors use OMLB's is that most other off-brand baseballs will have the signature bleed into the skin within a few months.


also a very good point.

[rwolfe09]

But the bleeding also depends on what pen you use. I had some pen from a bank and it bled a little.

[jpenrod]

But the bleeding also depends on what pen you use. I had some pen from a bank and it bled a little. bleeding has a lot of variances. the surface the autograph is on, the pen used and the conditions the autograph is handles. what I mean is if you get the autograph and then carry it around in your hand you are likely to sweat and cause the autograph to bleed. I would just make sure to have something to put the ball in as soon as you get the autograph and minimize the amount of handling you do.

As for the bleeding on the ball I have about 15 signed MLB balls and have used different pens and have never had a problem with on of those bleeding. I have several balls autographed on something other than a MLB ball using some of the same pens I have used on MLB balls and it is hit or miss on whether the sautographs have bled. interestingly the one I have of Steve Bedrosian as I described earlier has not bleed, though on woulf think it might be the most likely to bleed.

Bottom line is you have said you are in a position you can not get an OMLB so the real question is, do you get him to autograph something other than an OMLB or not get anything? To me the answer is obvious and you want to get him to sign something so just make the best of it.

I would also suggest that when you get the ball and have it signed you keep track of what type of ball you get and pen you use so that if it does not bleed you know what combination to use the next time.

[rwolfe09]

The only ball I have that bled a little was one where the ball was used in the game..I got the foul ball from a player after it rolled in the dirt. And it wasn't a BIC pen either. I plan on trying a brand new blue BIC pen with those Official League baseballs for this coming Tuesday. Thanks for the help, Ryan.

[mookie1959]

I have a few balls signed on McGregor Official League balls and in two of these cases, one has practically faded completely and the other has started to bleed. I would look for baseballs with a leather cover and not a synthetic one.

[pesky6]

I go with official Rawlings Major League baseballs, or if the person warrents it, I'll use an offical American or National League baseball. If you shop around, you should be able to find a dozen for less than $120 (10 bucks a ball).

I see people all the time at the ballpark who use a sharpie on a baseball--bad idea. I don't have the heart to tell them that their signature will eventually fade. Here's my rule--use a sharpie (pref. blue or black) for cards, photos, magazines/yearbooks/programs, gloves and bats, and pens for baseballs, books, and 3x5 index cards. You can use a sharpie on a book or 3x5, but personally I like a blue ballpoint on those. And for those of you who try to get a ball filled--try to use the same pen, or at least the same color ink (same goes with bats--if you start with blue sharpie, stay with blue sharpie).

My other rule is one signature, one ball. Team balls are hard to complete and a signature or two always get smudged. Besides, with today's players signatures looking like glorified gang signs or graffiti scrawls, I'd rather use a 25 cent card than a $10 ball. A player usually has to be pretty noteworthy to have him sign a ball. As far as ballpoint pens go, I've always had good luck with Bic Papermates. There are some blue ballpoints out there where the ink will actually take on a purple color after some time.

I've been collecting for over 20 years and that's what works best for me.

[Captain Cold Nose]

I go with official Rawlings Major League baseballs, or if the person warrents it, I'll use an offical American or National League baseball. If you shop around, you should be able to find a dozen for less than $120 (10 bucks a ball).

I see people all the time at the ballpark who use a sharpie on a baseball--bad idea. I don't have the heart to tell them that their signature will eventually fade. Here's my rule--use a sharpie (pref. blue or black) for cards, photos, magazines/yearbooks/programs, gloves and bats, and pens for baseballs, books, and 3x5 index cards. You can use a sharpie on a book or 3x5, but personally I like a blue ballpoint on those. And for those of you who try to get a ball filled--try to use the same pen, or at least the same color ink (same goes with bats--if you start with blue sharpie, stay with blue sharpie).

My other rule is one signature, one ball. Team balls are hard to complete and a signature or two always get smudged. Besides, with today's players signatures looking like glorified gang signs or graffiti scrawls, I'd rather use a 25 cent card than a $10 ball. A player usually has to be pretty noteworthy to have him sign a ball. As far as ballpoint pens go, I've always had good luck with Bic Papermates. There are some blue ballpoints out there where the ink will actually take on a purple color after some time.

I've been collecting for over 20 years and that's what works best for me.
Do you make exceptions, like Branca and Thomson on the same ball?

[pesky6]

Do you make exceptions, like Branca and Thomson on the same ball?

Yes, in that case I would. Or maybe if I was working on a 500 HR ball or 300 win ball, or another theme ball. I should have noted that in my initial response, I guess.

[Captain Cold Nose]

Yes, in that case I would. Or maybe if I was working on a 500 HR ball or 300 win ball, or another theme ball. I should have noted that in my initial response, I guess.
There are always exceptions to every rule, but it's a good one in general. How many times have we seen people asking to team balls, etc. where so many signatures are illegible among all the others?

[TigersFanB406]

I wasn't aware of some of this stuff. I always thought it'd be cool to have a ball signed by a whole team but I guess it's a waste. Sigs will fade, etc.

Speaking of Joe Altobelli, I remember the last name but am not sure if it was the same guy. Years ago my grandma worked at the Raceway here and she met an Altobelli from the Orioles and got me his autograph. It's probably long gone now though.

[drtybUsch025]

In regards to your thread title...

Most of the time they are white and round, with red stitching around the seams. If you are playing with one that is yellow, you have the wrong sport.

[Captain Cold Nose]

I wasn't aware of some of this stuff. I always thought it'd be cool to have a ball signed by a whole team but I guess it's a waste. Sigs will fade, etc.

Speaking of Joe Altobelli, I remember the last name but am not sure if it was the same guy. Years ago my grandma worked at the Raceway here and she met an Altobelli from the Orioles and got me his autograph. It's probably long gone now though.
Not really a waste, but it matters if you're looking for resale and it is a non-distinctive signature. I have a late 70's Tigers autographed ball and, while most of the autos are still legible, some are very hard to make out.
Altobelli is probably one and the same. Guess Ladbroke and Hazel Park couldn't provide enough action for him when he was came to Detroit.

[pesky6]

In regards to your thread title...

Most of the time they are white and round, with red stitching around the seams. If you are playing with one that is yellow, you have the wrong sport.

Actually, his thread title was "Question about Baseballs". He wasn't asking what they look like. Just curious, do you have anything positive to contribute to this thread?

[bailiff]

I usually only get players to sign a baseball if I am paying for the sig. IMO, you must get top quality. Team balls are good for low level minors or college, but Pesky is right, one sig one ball.