Anyone collect game used balls?

[js0000001]

I've picked up at least a six or seven recently usually with MLB holograms.

My questions are

1. How do I know if I'm paying the correct amount?
2. Is there a market for them?

One of the better deals I've gotten Richard Hidalgo home run ball he hit for the Mets in Montreal for $30 DLVD

 

[jpruitt2]

Not sure if there is a market for them, but I have picked up 2 myself. As far as a price, whatever you are happy with is a good price.

I picked up a game used ball from Tom Glavine's 250th win and it came from mlb with a hologram. I traded a few cheap gu cards for it on the trade board.

 

[muskiesfan]

I am not sure of the market for them, but I have been wanting to pick some up myself. I think they are cool addition to a collection. I finally got my first game used bat this year and that is a pretty cool thing to have. A lot of people like to have actual game used items, so I would think that there is a decent market for them.

 

[RITM]

Not sure there is a huge market for them unless you are talking about baseballs from a milestone game. My wife and I made our first trip to Wrigley Field for Game 1 of the 2003 NLCS. I later picked up a GU baseball from the game since it was such a special moment in our lives. I may have given $250 for it.

 

[js0000001]

Here are some examples of purchases I've made recently


pair of game-used Red Sox vs. Angels (8-18-07 and 4-23-08) at Fenway Park baseballs. Both show excellent use (dirt/scuff marks etc.). Each ball has two holograms including Steiner (LOAs included) and MLB. I think Lester started both games and the bullpen lost both for him. $50 each

David Ortiz Signed and Game Used Baseball Used vs. Yankees-STEINER Official Bud Selig Major League ball signed on the sweet spot in blue ink. Mint signature. The ball is game used and has lots of wear. It comes with two Steiner Sports Certificates of Authenticity-the one certificate has the date the ball was used-September 17, 2004 at Yankee Stadium vs. the New York Yankees $100 (maybe $120 DLVD)

(2) Game Used Baseballs from John Olerud’s 2000th Career Hit Game (MLB Authenticated) $75 (maybe $90 dlvd)


My thinking was that the items are "cool" and I wouldn't mind having them in my PC even though I'm not a Red Sox fan or an Olerud fan.


But If I were to list auction style on eBay I doubt I could get back what I paid.

Even though Sox's fans seem to have deep pockets there is little to no market for this flavor of memorabilia

 

[matchpenalty]

I've got a few. They can sell for anywhere from $20 to $1000's depending on game. Home Run authenticated balls are very rare and sell for a lot depending on player. I saw GUU board collectors have gotten Jeter first World Series hit ball from new Stadium and one is from first RBI hit there. Those I'm sure cost a bundle. Game used authenticated balls from milestone/debut games sell very well. I remember seeing MLB auctions selling off balls used in Jay Bruce debut game and they were selling for in hundreds. Most teams collect balls from games and authenticate them. Maybe 6-10 from a game. Sometimes they even authenticate them to a hit. You can figure it out by looking up all serial numbers right around the one you may have from a game. You can see how many they got authenticated from game. All Star game and Home Run Derby balls sell for a lot as well.
It can be a nice cheap way to start getting into game used collecting.

 

[js0000001]

I've got a few. They can sell for anywhere from $20 to $1000's depending on game. Home Run authenticated balls are very rare and sell for a lot depending on player. I saw GUU board collectors have gotten Jeter first World Series hit ball from new Stadium and one is from first RBI hit there. Those I'm sure cost a bundle. Game used authenticated balls from milestone/debut games sell very well. I remember seeing MLB auctions selling off balls used in Jay Bruce debut game and they were selling for in hundreds. Most teams collect balls from games and authenticate them. Maybe 6-10 from a game. Sometimes they even authenticate them to a hit. You can figure it out by looking up all serial numbers right around the one you may have from a game. You can see how many they got authenticated from game. All Star game and Home Run Derby balls sell for a lot as well.
It can be a nice cheap way to start getting into game used collecting.

I used to browse GUU occasionally, those guys are really on top of this stuff.

 

[gracecollector]

Just one for my Grace collection, but it's pretty cool. 4th of July homer ball, from 1991, signed in his old style sig. Was part of a famous umpire's collection, with impeccable provenance. Paid over $200.