Any autograph gurus here? (1 Viewer)

[shuke]

Taking my son to Redsfest this weekend. There will be autograph sessions of many current and former Reds. You have to bring your own stuff. What do I bring?

I'm guessing a few baseballs in case we luck out and get in line for someone like Votto or Chapman?

What about baseball cards? I know the old belief was that it "ruined" the value of the cards, but cards really aren't worth #### anyway. I mean what could it hurt to get Eric Davis' autograph on an '85 rookie card when I have a dozen of them?

Any thoughts?

 

[Bogart]

Taking my son to Redsfest this weekend. There will be autograph sessions of many current and former Reds. You have to bring your own stuff. What do I bring? I'm guessing a few baseballs in case we luck out and get in line for someone like Votto or Chapman?What about baseball cards? I know the old belief was that it "ruined" the value of the cards, but cards really aren't worth #### anyway. I mean what could it hurt to get Eric Davis' autograph on an '85 rookie card when I have a dozen of them?Any thoughts?

I think cards and baseballs are the best things to bring. The cards are going to be for guys you don't care about selling anyway, just a way for your son to remember the day. If you can get a photo of him with whoever is signing the card, even better. Makes for something great to hang on the wall.I would take one or two Official MLB baseballs and you can decide how you want to use them, one baseball for a big name, like Votto, or one baseball for anyone and everyone you can get to sign.One year for the Rangers Winter Carnival I took two baseballs. Got A-Rod to sign one of them (days before getting traded to the Yankees ) and got Buck Showalter, Orel Hershisher and Rudy Jaramillo to sign the other one. I thought I was pretty clever, it's pretty spare now, but I didn't care at the time.

 

[Oh Yes!]

get a nice acid free pen or marker. no bic or sharpies. those fade over time. i got ernie banks autograngh at the cubs convention about 8 years ago, and its barely readable now

 

[shuke]

Does it need to be an official MLB ball, or are there some cheaper alternatives?

 

[Oh Yes!]

Does it need to be an official MLB ball, or are there some cheaper alternatives?

doesnt HAVE to be, but its prolly cooler. you will be able to buy these there...

 

[Widbil83]

Does it need to be an official MLB ball, or are there some cheaper alternatives?

doesnt HAVE to be, but its prolly cooler. you will be able to buy these there...

I would buy a ball at a sports store before rather than doing it at the venue. You usually end up paying out your ### at these things for stuff like that.

 

[sports_fan]

Does it need to be an official MLB ball, or are there some cheaper alternatives?

doesnt HAVE to be, but its prolly cooler. you will be able to buy these there...

Don't just buy the cheapest thing you can find though. Autographs can easily smear on crappy baseballs. Avoid anything that looks glossy.

 

[Bogart]

Does it need to be an official MLB ball, or are there some cheaper alternatives?

doesnt HAVE to be, but its prolly cooler. you will be able to buy these there...

I would buy a ball at a sports store before rather than doing it at the venue. You usually end up paying out your ### at these things for stuff like that.

 

[curta269]

Does it need to be an official MLB ball, or are there some cheaper alternatives?

****'s Sporting Goods sells the official MLB balls and also cheaper ones.

 

[skillz]

Does it need to be an official MLB ball, or are there some cheaper alternatives?

Get the MLB ball - the autograph will last better over time. The official balls are more expensive but you get what you pay for. Also make sure you get the ball signed in ballpoint pen and not a sharpie. Cards you should have a sharpie on - preferably blue.

 

[Oh Yes!]

Does it need to be an official MLB ball, or are there some cheaper alternatives?

Get the MLB ball - the autograph will last better over time. The official balls are more expensive but you get what you pay for. Also make sure you get the ball signed in ballpoint pen and not a sharpie. Cards you should have a sharpie on - preferably blue.

as stated above, my ball point ben autograph faded alot. maybe i kept it in sunlight too long

 

[skillz]

Does it need to be an official MLB ball, or are there some cheaper alternatives?

Get the MLB ball - the autograph will last better over time. The official balls are more expensive but you get what you pay for. Also make sure you get the ball signed in ballpoint pen and not a sharpie. Cards you should have a sharpie on - preferably blue.

as stated above, my ball point ben autograph faded alot. maybe i kept it in sunlight too long

Not to get too here but every ball is different. Ball point pens are the best. Sharpies must be avoided. I've had autographs on baseballs for almost 20 years now in a ball point pen. Almost all have turned out great. Those either done in sharpie or on a cheap ball have all faded, or completely gone away. MLB ball is your best bet to have an autograph last longest on a ball. If you don't want to deal with the headache of an autograph possibly fading, go with a card but make sure to wipe the gloss of your card with your finger, or put baby powder on the card so that the wax doesn't mess up the autograph when the card is being signed.

 

[Giantseasonticketholder]

Bring a baseball or a team helmet or bat. I have an autographed Kirby Puckett baseball that he signed with a pen over 20 years ago that looks as good as new.

Use a Sharpie on the Helmet or Bat and that should last for ever too.

 

[shuke]

Just got back. My son got Jay Bruce on a baseball and Brandon Phillips, Bronson Arroyo, and Bill Bray on cards.

Me? I just got Bray.

Bruce didn't sign on the sweet spot. I'm not complaining, just found it interesting.

 

[Encyclopedia Brown]

Just got back.

What about Jack Armstrong?