Game Used vs Game Ready ... what is MLB Authenticator thinking when they comes up with this tittle?

[yankees.stub]

Here is an example:

Hologram number LH733641 was located in the MLB Authentication Database under GAME-READY BALL.
Session Product Description:


Session Name: 2009 WORLD SERIES GAME 2 PHI AT NYY
Session Date: October 29, 2009
Autographer:
Authenticator: AUTHENTICATORS, INC.


Seriously, are we game used collectors that dumb? and naive? or were they thinking hmmmm... may be they can (and they will) fool someone into believing that it is being game used.


To MLB defend, they might say "Hey, these balls were ready for game play, so technically they can be verified as game used."


Another thing, would it be dishonest if you have this item advertised as game used? It's on eB.... right now!


Almost purchase the ball until I check on the verification... glad I did ... but I am more upset than glad... why is such items exist in the first place? Beside being ambiguous to collector and so forth!



:confused:

[TNTtoys]

Seriously, are we game used collectors that dumb? and naive? or were they thinking hmmmm... may be they can (and they will) fool someone into believing that it is being game used.

I don't believe you understand the terminology. Game ready means that it is NOT game used. It's just simply prepared to be used in a game but never in fact enters the game. Game issued is synonymous with game ready. Neither mean nor imply game used.

[yankees.stub]

I don't believe you understand the terminology. Game ready means that it is NOT game used. It's just simply prepared to be used in a game but never in fact enters the game. Game issued is synonymous with game ready. Neither mean nor imply game used.



:D , Oh I know what it means.


My question is why do they do it? What purpose does it serves as a game-ready ball to a game used collector?

My first reaction was to fool those uneducated about the item and I still stand behind that reaction.


There is just no need for GAME-READY stuff.

I wonder if they are going to have the same category for bat .... oh what we have here is GAME-READY bat, it has all the spike marks and pine tar but there is NO BALL MARKS what so ever... so we will categorized it as GAME-READY!


At least I can understand, GAME-ISSUED or Team Issued jersey. Those were made for the players and they never have a chance to be used in the real game.


But game-ready ball?... seriously....



:D

[TNTtoys]

At least I can understand, GAME-ISSUED or Team Issued jersey. Those were made for the players and they never have a chance to be used in the real game.

Even those are not quite the same. A game issued jersey is prepared for a specific player to be used in a game. It will be customized for that player and may have special alterations, length added, etc. A team issued jersey is simply a jersey issued to the team by the manufacturer; however, it is not customized and may not even be designated to a specific player.

And I agree, a "game ready" baseball is not really anything I would want in my collection. Other game ready items might be more attractive to buyers, like uniforms.

[yankees.stub]

Even those are not quite the same. A game issued jersey is prepared for a specific player to be used in a game. It will be customized for that player and may have special alterations, length added, etc. A team issued jersey is simply a jersey issued to the team by the manufacturer; however, it is not customized and may not even be designated to a specific player.

And I agree, a "game ready" baseball is not really anything I would want in my collection. Other game ready items might be more attractive to buyers, like uniforms.



So what do you and every one who read this thread think when you see this item on eB...


http://cgi.ebay.com/ALEX-RODRIGUEZ-SIGNED-GAME-USED-BASEBALL-MLB-HOLO_W0QQitemZ220530114162QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_De faultDomain_0?hash=item33589e7e72

These authenticated as GAME-READY.


Alex signed these as GAME USED and the item currently being advertised as so.


I ask the seller about the authenticity of the item - there is no doubt that it is Alex's signature, but Game Used? Really?


Who's at fault for creating this ambiguous.... and very misleading item...

[allstarsplus]

Even those are not quite the same. A game issued jersey is prepared for a specific player to be used in a game. It will be customized for that player and may have special alterations, length added, etc. A team issued jersey is simply a jersey issued to the team by the manufacturer; however, it is not customized and may not even be designated to a specific player.

And I agree, a "game ready" baseball is not really anything I would want in my collection. Other game ready items might be more attractive to buyers, like uniforms.

I would expect that the ball was rubbed up with mud too. This is the first time I have seen that category on the MLB site.

So long as it is priced at a lower value, then it may attract a collector that wouldn't have the funds for a game used ball. There still would be a limited supply as the umpire will have a few balls left that never made it into the game.

Also these balls are from the World Series and opportunity knocks. The umpire had extra baseballs that someone made the decision to hologram up.

My question for Yankees.Stub is whether or not the ball is currently for sale and how much? I am curious as to the pricing as the game used balls were selling for around $1,800 and more.

[allstarsplus]

So what do you and every one who read this thread think when you see this item on eB...


http://cgi.ebay.com/ALEX-RODRIGUEZ-SIGNED-GAME-USED-BASEBALL-MLB-HOLO_W0QQitemZ220530114162QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_De faultDomain_0?hash=item33589e7e72

These authenticated as GAME-READY.


Alex signed these as GAME USED and the item currently being advertised as so.


I ask the seller about the authenticity of the item - there is no doubt that it is Alex's signature, but Game Used? Really?


Who's at fault for creating this ambiguous.... and very misleading item...

Wow, you posted 2 minutes before I finished so you answered my question. thanks.

[yankees.stub]

Wow, you posted 2 minutes before I finished so you answered my question. thanks.


Good customer services, no?

:D

[allstarsplus]

So what do you and every one who read this thread think when you see this item on eB...


http://cgi.ebay.com/ALEX-RODRIGUEZ-SIGNED-GAME-USED-BASEBALL-MLB-HOLO_W0QQitemZ220530114162QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_De faultDomain_0?hash=item33589e7e72

These authenticated as GAME-READY.


Alex signed these as GAME USED and the item currently being advertised as so.


I ask the seller about the authenticity of the item - there is no doubt that it is Alex's signature, but Game Used? Really?


Who's at fault for creating this ambiguous.... and very misleading item...

Did you also notice there are 5 for sale? I will say by MLB's own definition they are game used and the buyer hopefully is smart enough to do the homework you did.

Still compared to a used ball with no signature at $1,800, this may be someone's bargain!

[allstarsplus]

Good customer services, no?

:D

Amazing, like reading my mind! ;)

[allstarsplus]

30056

That looks like game use on the ball. Could it be that the authenticator didn't have any history on the ball so they put it in a "Game Ready" database?

Also, I noticed the auction has "Best Offer". Again, not for me, but my guess is these will all sell at prices over $1,000.

[CampWest]

These authenticated as GAME-READY.

Alex signed these as GAME USED and the item currently being advertised as so.

I ask the seller about the authenticity of the item - there is no doubt that it is Alex's signature, but Game Used? Really?

Who's at fault for creating this ambiguous.... and very misleading item...

I do not find the term "Game Ready" to be at all ambiguous nor misleading. In fact I think its descriptive, precise, and informative. Which means it is clearly - partially Alex Rodriguez's fault for signing "game used" on a ball that was not game used and even moreso the fault of the person who requested Alex sign a false statement on those balls. Anybody can sign anything on a ball, that does not make it a true statement.

MLB did the right thing by creating a separate category and NOT calling them game used. Obviously with a World Series logo, the balls cannot be saved and used at a later date.

Would you prefer MLB destroy them rather than allow fans a chance to have a fun and unique item in their collection? Would you rather they call it game used when it never made it onto the field of play?

Your numerous threads and repetitive posts seem to have a common theme of second-guessing and attacking MLB and the MLB authenticators, continually questioning their integrity, honesty and intelligence. Why are you so hostile towards the MLB and MLB Authentication?

[yankees.stub]

34741

That looks like game use on the ball. Could it be that the authenticator didn't have any history on the ball so they put it in a "Game Ready" database?

Also, I noticed the auction has "Best Offer". Again, not for me, but my guess is these will all sell at prices over $1,000.


You hit the nail on the head there!

It looks like game used with the grass stain and dirt - @ first reaction. But those can be created!

Since MLB Authenticated Program is so STRICT, I dont think the AUTHENTICATOR is that naive.... not noticing the dirt and grass stain on the ball ... even if he/she is one-eye-cyclops-with-stigmatism, those things can be felt by touch.


What make this item desirable to me - since it looks like game used and Alex signed it as game used, BUT MLB database says otherwise... then it is otherwise to me (I am one of those guine pigs who trust MLB authentication process faithfully but damn it, sometime you just want to scream out....expletive and all.... what the hell!)

[yankees.stub]

Your numerous threads and repetitive posts seem to have a common theme of second-guessing and attacking MLB and the MLB authenticators, continually questioning their integrity, honesty and intelligence. Why are you so hostile towards the MLB and MLB Authentication?[/quote]


(for your infos - my poker buddy work with MLB authentication office ... and I picked his brain every friday night poker and why some of the stuff being put on the database)


as for being hostile toward MLB authentication - there is no such thing. 95% of my game used items have MLB holograms on them. The 5% are the exception to the rules - this means it should have better notation in the description. The best answer I got from my friend - it's the authenticator's lousy work that cause the misleading stuff.


Every game used collector on here treating MLB Authentication as a BIBBLE, therefore there should be NO loophole or room for misleading information. As an owner of these items, it is my choice to share my takes on these items to other who cares and for those who doesnt - more power to you!


So again, I gave my paycheck to MLB Authentication weekly so therefore I demand nothing but the best - no lousy and misleading stuff. It is what it is... not it is what it could be!

[allstarsplus]

I do not find the term "Game Ready" to be at all ambiguous nor misleading. In fact I think its descriptive, precise, and informative. Which means it is clearly - partially Alex Rodriguez's fault for signing "game used" on a ball that was not game used and even moreso the fault of the person who requested Alex sign a false statement on those balls. Anybody can sign anything on a ball, that does not make it a true statement.

MLB did the right thing by creating a separate category and NOT calling them game used. Obviously with a World Series logo, the balls cannot be saved and used at a later date.

Would you prefer MLB destroy them rather than allow fans a chance to have a fun and unique item in their collection? Would you rather they call it game used when it never made it onto the field of play?

Your numerous threads and repetitive posts seem to have a common theme of second-guessing and attacking MLB and the MLB authenticators, continually questioning their integrity, honesty and intelligence. Why are you so hostile towards the MLB and MLB Authentication?

CW - Check out the photo I just posted up. It looks like use on the ball. MLB has also called Game Issued as Game Used in the past.

Alex also signs BP bats as game used and possibly again is signing what he is told but again it looks game used.

Also, the seller may not have seen that it was in a "Game Ready" category on the database.

Let's face it, most sellers and buyers don't do the amount of homework as members on here do.

[ballhawknet]

Since you didnt responed ( yet ) to the other thread regarding the all star game ready ball I will put in my 2 cents here ;


I see nothing wrong with a game ready ball being sold as it is , rubbed
with mud and no signs of use whatsoever . Makes sense that x amount of balls are prepared and they dont all get used . Cant sell them as new , cant sell them as used...thus game ready.

However , like the 2009 World Series ball which shows dirt (ebay) , and the 2006 all star ball (ebay) being sold as game ready BUT being listed as a ball from the Pirates/Nats game on the 14th .......makes one wonder.

Mistakes are gong to be made , I think all you can do is email the person
in charge of the authentication process and give them a chance to correct it.

On the game ready all star ball on ebay ...here is what I gathered.
The # for this ball is BB 046120 . There are 60 of these !! all on the 14th . (all star game was on the 11th ) What makes it very interesting is that the item before the first one is the Pirates lineup card for the 7/14 .....then u have 60 all star game ready balls.....then after that the next item is the Nationals line up card form the 14th . So these game ready balls just sat around for 3 days , then after they authenticated the lineup card for the 14th THEN they decide to do the balls ? Or did someone say , Hey we have alot of all star balls leftover how bout we rub them up and tag them as game ready . This MIGHT have been the day "game ready" was born :)

Of course there could be a very good reason why it was done this way ,
who knows ?

[allstarsplus]

Cant sell them as new , cant sell them as used...thus game ready.

I totally agree. For a regular game, they don't need extra balls.

For significant games, demand is generally exceeding the supply so here are balls that didn't make it into the game but were legit rubbed up balls.

[LastingsMilledge85]

Sometimes there are issues with the team and that changes what the authenticator titles the piece in the database. For example, I bought Bobby Parnell's TBTC uniform that he wore for his first ML win as a starter. The jersey is described as used and the pants were described as issued. After seeing a few dirt stains on the pants, I asked on this forum if anyone would know about it. Turns out, there was an issue with the pants from the first set, so they marked all the pants as issued instead of used, when in fact they were used.

[yankees.stub]

I totally agree. For a regular game, they don't need extra balls.

For significant games, demand is generally exceeding the supply so here are balls that didn't make it into the game but were legit rubbed up balls.



Are you sure we are not hanging out at the same poker game?... That was the same explanation I got from my buddy.


It's economic --- supply and demand ... and if they dont have enough supplies for the demand - give them something closed to it and hopefully they will be happy!


Feel like 2nd-class citizen if I happened to own one of these GAME-READY ball...


:D

[emann]

I wonder if they are going to have the same category for bat .... oh what we have here is GAME-READY bat, it has all the spike marks and pine tar but there is NO BALL MARKS what so ever... so we will categorized it as GAME-READY!

Actually, I have a few game-ready bats and I think they're great. The term for me applies to the bat having the number on the knob, shows rack marks, some handling, sometimes, tape or tar, etc. It is a cheaper alternative to game-used in some cases and players do keep a number of bats on the rack each game, it makes logical sense some would never get used. I've seen a fair amount of legit bats that were obviously prepped by the players and just never made it into the game.

MLB also already authenticates bats as game-issued (those pink mother's day bats come to mind, you always see unused extras floating around).