Anyone want to send this guy an email?
lawnmowerman
Posts: 19,477 ✭✭✭✭
lawnmowerman
Posts: 19,477 ✭✭✭✭
lawnmowerman
Posts: 19,477 ✭✭✭✭
Comments
Minnie Minoso Master and Basic
1967 Topps PSA 8+
1960's Topps run Mega Set
"For me, playing baseball has been like a war and I was defending the uniform I wore, Every time I put on the uniform I respected it like the American flag. I wore it like I was representing every Latin country."--Minnie Minoso
Take a shot at George Carlin also - he mentioned this in a monologue on HBO and he had it in his litany of New Rules for 2006:
New Rule: If you need to shave and you still collect baseball cards, you're gay. If you're a kid, the cards are keepsakes of your idols. If you're a grown man, they're pictures of men.
I called my wife over - and said: "I have been a fan of his for over 30 yrs! But, tonite I wanna kick his old fart ass!"
mike
<< <i>bike spokes
<< <i>Cards are…well, boring. >>
>>
He's right. The new stuff is garbage, add to the fact most kids can't afford $10 packs, and you'll understand why kids aren't collecting cards. It's no longer a hobby for kids. it would help if more kids played sports, instead of video games. When you play a sport, it makes you appreciate someone's feats.
<< <i>
<< <i>bike spokes
<< <i>Cards are…well, boring. >>
>>
He's right. The new stuff is garbage, add to the fact most kids can't afford $10 packs, and you'll understand why kids aren't collecting cards. It's no longer a hobby for kids. it would help if more kids played sports, instead of video games. When you play a sport, it makes you appreciate someone's feats. >>
Reality
I don't think this is entirely accurate.
There are packs that Topps makes that are affordable - it's just hard to get kids to "buy into" them. Topps base brand is only a couple of bucks and Topps Total is also an affordable alternative. And, at 3 bucks, Topps Heritage offers young collectors that "vintage feel" with modern players.
This year, with the decrease in the number of products and only two major companies producing baseball cards, the industry is attempted to "revitalize" the card industry and attract new children.
They are also doing more this year with advertising and attempting to get people to hit the local card shop again.
National Card Day is another attempt - tho some have reported that they felt it was not that effective.
I tend to see this challenge as a glass half full just waiting to take off again.
The eternal optimist
mike
<< <i>When I used to buy cards that came out new, they used to cost 40 cents, and I'm not talking about 1970 or 1980. I'm talking modern. Getting a pack for less than a buck will bring the kids back. Also no more gimmick inserts will help bring them back. The impossible inserts are what ruined it for me. >>
Totally agree.
But, unfortunately that ship has sailed and thy name is Titanic.
Kids love inserts - they want cards that glow in the dark, speak in 9 languages and take out the garbage for them!
A few years back, Topps produced packs with 8 cards for 99 cents. Not a major hit.
IMO, cost is only one factor in the puzzle to bring back the children.
mike
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>bike spokes
<< <i>Cards are…well, boring. >>
>>
He's right. The new stuff is garbage, add to the fact most kids can't afford $10 packs, and you'll understand why kids aren't collecting cards. It's no longer a hobby for kids. it would help if more kids played sports, instead of video games. When you play a sport, it makes you appreciate someone's feats. >>
Reality
I don't think this is entirely accurate.
There are packs that Topps makes that are affordable - it's just hard to get kids to "buy into" them. Topps base brand is only a couple of bucks and Topps Total is also an affordable alternative. And, at 3 bucks, Topps Heritage offers young collectors that "vintage feel" with modern players. >>
I actually agree with Reality.
Mike,
I have two younger brother-in-laws and have known them since they were 8 and 5. They are now 14 and 11, They both stopped playing baseball about the age of 10. I was pissed. My best baseball memories were from 10-15.
I asked them why they don't want to play and both of their responses were, "because its gay. The coaches play the bad kids and I have to sit out 2 innings." I too would have been pissed if I lost a game while sitting on the bench and the kid in right field with the glove on his head let a ball go right by him. Kids have certainly changed, but whats even worse is that times have changed. That 10 year old picking grass and having the glove on his head has no business being in right field. When I was 10 the coach would have told me that unless I come to play, I won't play.
As far as the packs, I don't even know where you can buy them now. I used to be able to get baseball cards anywhere. Drug stores, convienient stores, gas stations...Now, they either don't have these places, or these places don't carry cards. Target and Walmart usually aren't biking distance from kids homes and those are the only places I know that still sell cards. I also am assuming kids still ride bikes.
My Auctions
I think a lot of it has to do with video games. A kid would much rather use his allowance or "special treat from mom" on a new XBox game, not a $4 pack of cards.
Plus, Zef is right --- you can find them hardly anywhere. Back in the late '80's, I would ride my bike to the nearest gas station or grocery store to get my packs --- good luck finding any there these days!
------- 1960 Topps Baseball PSA 8+
------- 1985 Topps Hockey PSA 9+
<< <i>I definitely disagree with the author's rationale that kids have stopped declining b/c of waning popularity of baseball. If that were true, then the popularity of football cards would be through the roof -- which they are not.
I think a lot of it has to do with video games. A kid would much rather use his allowance or "special treat from mom" on a new XBox game, not a $4 pack of cards.
Plus, Zef is right --- you can find them hardly anywhere. Back in the late '80's, I would ride my bike to the nearest gas station or grocery store to get my packs --- good luck finding any there these days! >>
I used to get cards down the block.
With regards to baseball cards and the availability of packs?
That's what the industry has to focus on - the challenge is to bring the kids back.
No one will argue your point.
Zef
On the Little League thing - I know what you mean.
I coached for a few years - was able to play everyone, keep everyone happy and win games.
You have brought up a very complex issue - coaches want to win but they don't want to work for it.
You have to break a team down into the strong and weak players. Give the weaker players special attention to bring up their skills - coaches don't do that - they just pay attention to the better or gifted children - not very fair IMO.
So, for all my friends out there that have children right now? Try to engage them - share baseball with them and see what happens.
Take them to a baseball card shop - see what happens.
If they chose the xbox? Well - at least your tried?
mike
<< <i>
Plus, Zef is right --- you can find them hardly anywhere. Back in the late '80's, I would ride my bike to the nearest gas station or grocery store to get my packs --- good luck finding any there these days! >>
i dont know of not stores that carry them no more, but all the convenient stores used to,,
The card industry did this to themselves. When Topps was by themselves, they could put out one product and people would buy. When competition entered, all they had to do was increase the print runs and lo and behold their name was out there everywhere. When the other companies started thinking better pulls all hell broke loose.
Forget blocking him; find out where he lives and go punch him in the nuts. --WalterSobchak 9/12/12
Looking for Al Hrabosky and any OPC Dave Campbells (the ESPN guy)
<< <i>
On the Little League thing - I know what you mean.
I coached for a few years - was able to play everyone, keep everyone happy and win games.
You have brought up a very complex issue - coaches want to win but they don't want to work for it.
You have to break a team down into the strong and weak players. Give the weaker players special attention to bring up their skills - coaches don't do that - they just pay attention to the better or gifted children - not very fair IMO.
mike >>
mike--
There also was a time where kids tried out for little league. The good kids made it. The crappy kids were sent packing til next season. Now as long as they sign up they make the team. I'm all for giving every kid a chance, but if it means making 9000 teams because every kid plays little league (even the kids whose parents drag them down to sign them up), then the system is flawed.
Forget blocking him; find out where he lives and go punch him in the nuts. --WalterSobchak 9/12/12
Looking for Al Hrabosky and any OPC Dave Campbells (the ESPN guy)
Kids are looking for money cards which means they want to buy high end products. With this said, they are gambling. Gambling in the form of lottery tickets and casinos are not legal for kids, and i'm not sure why busting wax is! I've said it once, and I said it again, parents should be forcing kids to save at least half of what money they do have and earn for college! The time to get into this hobby is after a kid has graduated college, has become an adult, and has layed a good financial foundation down for himself and his family.
On a side note, it appears that a lot of the adults in this hobby should not even be in it. I have received emails from buyers telling me that "they will get paid, or have the money in X amount of days". Any adult that doesn't have EXTRA money laying around should not be spending money on a hobby!
Rich
I have an 8 year old boy that plays in little league and IS an all star (our game at 10:30 this a.m was just cancelled due to rain).
Only a couple of times has he ever asked me to buy him a pack of cards at Target.
Hell I was overwhelmed at the sheer number of cards not to mention the Ridiculous price!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When I bought them as a kid I think they were 25-35c.
You are not going to get kids to pay 2-8.00 for a pack of cards, much less their parents.