National Goals

[Andy Sandler]

What are your goals for the National, if you can go?

I have attended most of them since going to my first, in 1980, in Los Angeles.

My first goal is to see old friends and make new ones. My second goal is to see a baseball game, there (the Nats this year). Third, I love attending the net54 dinner (a must, if you can). Last but not least, I hope to add to my collection more Pre-1945 Pro basketball items, pre-1930 PCL items (no cards), Koufax wins tickets and programs, Saperstein HOF bookmark, Pre-1900 California League items, 60's and earlier Lakers stuff, etc.

Please stop and say hello if you see me. I will be the only one in the room wearing a San Francisco Giants cap.

Regards, Andy Sandler alwysyakn@aol.com

[mantlefan2010]

This is going to be my first National and I am looking forward to it and I dont know what to expect. I am just going to go down and walk around looking at some stuff I have never seen and look for some bargains

[vintagebrett]

My goals are similar to Andy's:

-Catch up with old hobby friends and make new ones
-Catch a Nationals game
-Turn more people on to glove collecting
-Sell, Sell, Sell so we have a lot less stuff to pack up Sunday than we unload Tuesday!

[Jcfowler6]

It's my first.

1. Meet any of you
2 being my daughter and fan the collecting flame
3 the experience
4 talk to Maz
5 pick up something unique related to 1909 pirates

[Scott Garner]

I'm still unsure if I'll make this one because of the crazy July travel schedule that I've been facing.

That being said, I'd love to attend and likely will. My goals include:

Connecting with hobby friends

Looking for items on my want list (You never know what you'll find, right? Hey, it's the National!)

Attending the net54 dinner to put a face with many of the friends that I've made

Attending a baseball ticket collector dinner with many of my close friends in the hobby

:)

[vintagesportflips]

I am definitely looking forward to Baltimore. I will be hunting the room for early Eagles, Frankford Yellowjackets, Carlisle Indians, or any early pro football items that catch my eye.
I will also be setup at booth 636 with a nice assortment of gloves, bats, footballs, helmets etc. I am also bringing a large collection of early type 1 Philadelphia Athletic photos that haven't been in the hobby before.

[Jewish-collector]

I am definately looking forward to the National. This will be my 6th straight National & 8th overall. I'm looking forward to catching up with old hobby friends, especially Andy Sandler :D and to make new friends.

[jefferyepayne]

I'm hoping to complete my summer football collecting 'bucket list' at the National.

1. Acquire 1888 Goodwin Beecher
2. Pick up one 1894 Mayo football card I don't have
3. Acquire 1935 National Chicle Stan Kostka
4. Pick up something with Bronko Nagurski on it
5. Pick up something with Ernie Nevers on it

A bonus would be to pick up something with Jim Thorpe on it

jeff

[brightair]

This will be my 4th National in a row and the first time going to a Net54 Friday night affair. Looking forward to that and meeting other collectors.
I have loved the last 3 Nationals, never get enough, stay for the full 5 days.
My goals, besides meeting other collectors, are to find more folks to trade cards with, and search out early Bowmans for my wantlists, and obscure variations for Topps and Bowman vintage cards.
I'll be wearing a white hat that says "Let's Trade Cards!"
See you all there!
Richard D

[Vintage Yankee]

I’ll also be there this year (Thursday only, unfortunately). My main targets are listed below:

· Yankees programs/scorecards (mainly filling holes pre-1930 & post-1995)
· Full tickets/Stubs – regular season, postseason, ASG (mainly Yankees)
· Vintage press photos
· Other vintage baseball memorabilia (primarily display items including ad pieces & trophies)
· Yankees game used (mainly pre-1980 plus recent championship teams)

Feel free to PM me if you’re going to be at the show on Thursday or if you can help me with anything on the list above. Baltimore turned out to be a good venue last time around. I’m looking forward to another great time.

- Andy - Be sure to shoot me an email or give me a call on Thursday to catch up in person.

- Scott - I would love to network with those in your ticket collecting group. Shoot me a message when you can.

RJ

[Scott Garner]

I’ll also be there this year (Thursday only, unfortunately). My main targets are listed below:

· Yankees programs/scorecards (mainly filling holes pre-1930 & post-1995)
· Full tickets/Stubs – regular season, postseason, ASG (mainly Yankees)
· Vintage press photos
· Other vintage baseball memorabilia (primarily display items including ad pieces & trophies)
· Yankees game used (mainly pre-1980 plus recent championship teams)

Feel free to PM me if you’re going to be at the show on Thursday or if you can help me with anything on the list above. Baltimore turned out to be a good venue last time around. I’m looking forward to another great time.

- Andy - Be sure to shoot me an email or give me a call on Thursday to catch up in person.

- Scott - I would love to network with those in your ticket collecting group. Shoot me a message when you can.

RJ

RJ,
PM sent

[jt39]

This will be my first trip -- I'm driving up from DC on Saturday -- and I'm not sure what to expect. Beyond roaming around and trying to chat with anyone who's willing, are there any insider tips for how to get the most out of the visit for someone interested in memorabilia, as opposed to cards?

Also, a point of decorum -- I do some amateur photography, and was considering taking some shots of interesting items I find. Is that generally acceptable? By permission only? Or would I be breaching some etiquette by doing so?

For those considering a visit to Nats Park, you are in for a treat -- can't say enough good things about our exciting young squad. If you don't have a car, you should be able to arrange public transport quite readily. Believe the MARC train to the metro is your best option. There's an evening 2 for 1 doubleheader Friday, night game Saturday, and Sunday afternoon setting (lined up for Strasburg) so lots of good options there.

I personally recommend one of two approaches to tickets given that the Nats still under-draw:

1) LF corner or bleacher seats can usually be found for 1/2 or less of face value on stubhub and are very easy to get in and out of from the metro -- I find these to be the best value seats in the park, though others also like the LF/RF Mezzanine (which requires going up and down a ramp);

2) if you can find a way to print tickets within 2-2 and 1/2 hrs before game time, there are often great prices on great seats on stubhub as sellers rush to get tickets sold -- I nabbed a $75 seat for $5 (plus fees) just before a recent weekend game.

Also, if you are driving and budget-minded, check out the $5 lot (think it's called "HH"). It is a little bit more of a walk and a little trickier to get to, but it's substantially cheaper than the other (way overpriced) Nats lots. Remember to buy some food and water (1 bottle per person) on the way in, as you are allowed to bring food in the park (with some packaging limitations).

[travrosty]

its allowed to take pictures but you should probably ask first as a courtesy. i can't think of anyone who would say no or run the risk of alienating a potential customer.

[yanks12025]

Find anything Chris Chambliss or anymore of these displays.

[russyurk]

Hey all, I need a little help tracking down the contact info for a dealer I met at the National last year. The most noticeable item he usually displayes is a late 50's era Team Canada flannel baseball jersey. I'm actually interested in an autographed baseball he has/had and of course I lost his contact info after last year's show. If anyone sees this dealer it would be much appreciated if you could grab his card or e-mail address for me. Thanks.

I can be reached at russandkaty@att.net. Thanks!

[WVSPORTKINGS]

Let me say first of all I'm no expert at this by a longshot.
If you are looking for a certain card and feel confident that there will be several in the room. Get the program at the door then as you work the room, draw circles around the table or tables that have card that you need, after you have covered every table then rush back and buy, and hope the card your looking for is there!!. Two years ago I completed my Sport Kings set that way. This will be my thrid national. This year I'm going two days Friday and Satauday. I'll will be easy to spot I'll have a WV hat with a golden maple leaf
beside the WV.

Mark WVSPORTKINGS