Are Baseball Cards Destined to Slowly Diminish in Value?

[grundle20]

Hi there - I wanted to spark a debate.

I'm 31 and started collecting 1948 Leafs. I do it because I enjoy it and though it's a pricy set, I like the "pop art" feel of the cards. However, among my peers, it seems I'm on an island when it comes to baseball cards. My generation (X) were the kiddos in the late 80s racing to buy cards, that's all we did in between playing sandlot games. I remember the packs of cards front and center in EVERY package store.

Not only do kids younger than me not even play sandlot pickup games anymore (unless you count an impromptu game on PS3), but they're not buying packs of cards and they're not that "into" baseball, and I say this as a whole. Sure there are young kids at shows and sure there are some young collectors, but I say this as a widespread phenomenon.

I wonder when these kids are 40, 50, 60, etc. and have the buying power to go after a set like a 48 Leaf, will it even cross their minds? Is baseball even that much of a widespread interest? I'm saying this as myself probably the younger side (again, age 31) of expensive set collecting. I don't even see the POTENTIAL for interest.

Although I realize posting in a baseball card forum is bias to begin with, because we're all collectors and we probably think card collecting is the bee's knees, but I wonder, looking 50 years down the road, is lack of demand going to make a 1948 Leaf Set, with "short print" not even meaning anything to anyone in my generation, going to be commanding the prices they command today?

I'm just looking for some intelligent banter on the matter! And yes, as a young new collector for high-priced cards, I do have a vested interest in what you are all saying, because though I enjoy collecting, I would like to have some value to trade in decades to come!