Trying to inspire the next generation of collectors (pics and thanks)
vintagefun
Posts: 1,974 ✭✭✭
DISCLAIMER: A portion of this post likely belongs in BST and I will post over there as well, but I wanted to post here to share the story on how I'm trying to inspire the next generation of collectors and also get some help on where I can find some low-cost reprints or recent issues with HOFers.
A couple months back I volunteered to be an assistant coach for my son's T-ball team. Before the first practice I went thru a bunch of cards and pulled anything that had players mid-swing, mid-throw, or in the process of fielding a ball to give to the kids so they could see how it's done. They loved them. So I started bringing unopened packs as a post game treat. I started with 90 Score because I was trying to keep costs low and wanted to make sure I didn't give them anything that had gum....and these kids are 4-6 yrs old. Another hit. And now the parents were starting to get into it a little bit. Then I decided to go with some 87 Sportflics so they could see the process of a swing or throw in three stages. Now they're lining up after games wondering if I've brought anything for them and the parents are telling me what they got with a pretty cool level of excitement considering there's probably not a pull that's worth more than a quarter.
Now as we near the end of the season I'm working on a project to give them for the last game. Most of the kids got their own trading card when we did pictures, so I want to give each kid a selection of cards with some of the greatest players to have shared their number in a 9-card sheet, leaving one space for their own card. Fortunately we don't have a 2, 3, 4 or 7 and the kid with #5 ain't likely to get a DiMaggio, and #9 might not see a Williams, but many of the others I think I can pull together. Though I could use some help and will post in BST, I still thought the story itself could be shared here.
Beaters would be great, as are reprints, or modern issues, and I'm willing to do trades or in some cases even pay cash, though most of what I'm looking for should be less than $1, but I would like to include some vintage for effect, though fully expect rounded corners, creases and the like.
I could also use some help in directing me to some more recent issues or reprint sets that might include some of the bigger names but at a low cost.
Number 1: Ozzie, Ashburn, Billy Martin, Luis Castillo, Elvis Andrus
Number 5: DiMaggio, Bench, Brett, Brooks R, Pujols
Number 6: Musial, Kaline, Garvey
Number 8: Ripken, Yaz, Morgan, Berra, Carter, Stargell
Number 9: Ted, Reggie, Maris, Maz
Number 10: Chipper, Dawson, Rizzuto
Number 12: Alomar, Boggs, Kent
Number 13: A-Rod, Concepcion, Vizquel
Number 14: Rose, Rice, Banks
Number 15: Edmonds, Beltran, Munson, Foster
If you can help in this quest, please PM me. I only have about 2 weeks to pull this together. I'm pretty flush on anything from the 80's, but the older players (50,60,70s) are holes for me in terms of the condition I intend to give them, and post-90 is a big hole for me as I just don't have much of it.
If we can inspire just one kid to pick up the hobby, I'd be thrilled.
Any help or suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks.
Jim
A couple months back I volunteered to be an assistant coach for my son's T-ball team. Before the first practice I went thru a bunch of cards and pulled anything that had players mid-swing, mid-throw, or in the process of fielding a ball to give to the kids so they could see how it's done. They loved them. So I started bringing unopened packs as a post game treat. I started with 90 Score because I was trying to keep costs low and wanted to make sure I didn't give them anything that had gum....and these kids are 4-6 yrs old. Another hit. And now the parents were starting to get into it a little bit. Then I decided to go with some 87 Sportflics so they could see the process of a swing or throw in three stages. Now they're lining up after games wondering if I've brought anything for them and the parents are telling me what they got with a pretty cool level of excitement considering there's probably not a pull that's worth more than a quarter.
Now as we near the end of the season I'm working on a project to give them for the last game. Most of the kids got their own trading card when we did pictures, so I want to give each kid a selection of cards with some of the greatest players to have shared their number in a 9-card sheet, leaving one space for their own card. Fortunately we don't have a 2, 3, 4 or 7 and the kid with #5 ain't likely to get a DiMaggio, and #9 might not see a Williams, but many of the others I think I can pull together. Though I could use some help and will post in BST, I still thought the story itself could be shared here.
Beaters would be great, as are reprints, or modern issues, and I'm willing to do trades or in some cases even pay cash, though most of what I'm looking for should be less than $1, but I would like to include some vintage for effect, though fully expect rounded corners, creases and the like.
I could also use some help in directing me to some more recent issues or reprint sets that might include some of the bigger names but at a low cost.
Number 1: Ozzie, Ashburn, Billy Martin, Luis Castillo, Elvis Andrus
Number 5: DiMaggio, Bench, Brett, Brooks R, Pujols
Number 6: Musial, Kaline, Garvey
Number 8: Ripken, Yaz, Morgan, Berra, Carter, Stargell
Number 9: Ted, Reggie, Maris, Maz
Number 10: Chipper, Dawson, Rizzuto
Number 12: Alomar, Boggs, Kent
Number 13: A-Rod, Concepcion, Vizquel
Number 14: Rose, Rice, Banks
Number 15: Edmonds, Beltran, Munson, Foster
If you can help in this quest, please PM me. I only have about 2 weeks to pull this together. I'm pretty flush on anything from the 80's, but the older players (50,60,70s) are holes for me in terms of the condition I intend to give them, and post-90 is a big hole for me as I just don't have much of it.
If we can inspire just one kid to pick up the hobby, I'd be thrilled.
Any help or suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks.
Jim
52-90 All Sports, Mostly Topps, Mostly HOF, and some assorted wax.
0
Comments
I got 10 binders at the Dollar Store and put together what's below.
8 cards of mostly great players who wore the same number.
Then they also each got a full sheet of great players at each position, but since Doug gave me a boatload of Ripkens, every kid got one so it's a player from each IF spot, a Ripken and 3 OF. The back is 3 P, a history card in the middle and 5 random HOFs or vintage cards.
We'll be presenting the binders after our last game tomorrow with a 87T Rack Pack.
Again...a big thanks to those that helped and asked for nothing in return. The generosity of this board never ceases to amaze me.
Jim
i would recommend putting the kids personal card in the middle pocket, no?
WTB: PSA 1 - PSA 3 Centered, High Eye Appeal 1950's Mantle
Doug
Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
What a great idea and gesture. If I were a parent of one of your ball players I would be blown away. Great job!