State of the Hobby

[coxfan]

Re: State of the Hobby

To address the issue of who owns bats: I think most MLB bats are ordered by the clubs to the player's specifications, and their names are put in block letters on the bats. In the Minors the bats are not player-specified though their model preferences are considered. Either way, the clubs own them.

But some stars sign contracts for signature bats that bear their signatures (no block letters) and are sold as souvenirs. The player may use some of these, and those belong to him. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[godwulf]

Re: State of the Hobby

To address the issue of who owns bats: I think most MLB bats are ordered by the clubs to the player's specifications, and their names are put in block letters on the bats. In the Minors the bats are not player-specified though their model preferences are considered. Either way, the clubs own them.

But some stars sign contracts for signature bats that bear their signatures (no block letters) and are sold as souvenirs. The player may use some of these, and those belong to him. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I don't know for sure why some bats have block letters and some have facsimile signatures, but I don't think who is paying for the bat has anything to do with it. I'm guessing that BMH would be an authoritative source of information with regard to this topic.

Didn't Barry Bonds - some of you might have heard of him - make a point of buying all of his bats and other gear so that the Giants wouldn't own them, and he could dispose of them as he saw fit? I think I heard that somewhere.

Then, of course, you have a lot of smaller bat companies, from what I hear, actually giving players bats to try out, in which case I would guess the team wouldn't have any claim on them.

As for player names on Minor League bats, I see more minor league players, even in low-A ball, using bats with their names on them than pro-stock or team bats.

[joelsabi]

Re: State of the Hobby

I don't know for sure why some bats have block letters and some have facsimile signatures, but I don't think who is paying for the bat has anything to do with it. I'm guessing that BMH would be an authoritative source of information with regard to this topic.

Block letter : pre contracted LVS bat
Fac Signature: contracted by LVS bat

[jdhbraves]

Re: State of the Hobby

Well, it is frankly becoming impossible to buy on ebay at a fair price. Everything is buy it now or make offer, few true auctions. Most braves jerseys i see are tragically overpriced. The cash value of these items is 30% of what they are being offered at. Manufactured memkrabilia js all over the place (jerseys bats etc made with the sole intentions of being sold as memorabilia). Back in the day ball park heroes used to buy all the braves jerseys. All you had to do was wait for their ad in scd, and get on the phone. Now you have to go to the game used shop and throw down 800 for tim hudson. Forget it. Go put a hudson on ebay at no reserve and it will be a miracle if it brings 300!

[jdhbraves]

Re: State of the Hobby

Additionally, I bet the days of 1200 mauer bats and 3000 recent vintage pujols bats will soon be coming to end as well to be replaced by the 8k hamilton throwback jersey set. At that price where can you go? Buy it for 8k and try to sell it yourself in five years. Be lucky to get four for it. It would be nice to see reason, sanity and true knowledge return to this hobby.

[Tedw9]

Re: State of the Hobby

I was in an MLB ballpark recently where "Team Issued" jerseys were being sold by the team in part of their game used store. Not a big deal, but I had to scratch my head when I saw that they were from current players from the 2012 season. Can it be anything more than a cash grab when a team sells "issued" items 1/3 of the way through the season. If they sell, whats to stop them from cranking out jerseys, "issuing" them, then putting them up for sale????

That's what I saw at Fenway this past weekend. They seem to be selling their own items at Yawkey Way store, which is great. But there were a bunch of "team issued" jerseys and some "game ready" bats available. I kinda wish I had my phone with me, a Pedroia game ready bat, with lots of use on it, was $250. But a game used Papi helmet was $1500!