Graded Baseballs Vs. Non-Graded

[baseball111]

Was just curious to hear opinions from others about how they feel about graded baseballs vs non-graded. Not talking about Ruth, Mantle, Dimaggio ect. but more like Mays, Aaron, Ripken and other "newer" HOFers. I know that higher graded baseballs sell for a premium, but is it worth the extra money for a graded baseball as opposed to a respectable un-graded ball? Which do you prefer and why?

[39special]

I prefer ungraded.Altough I can see the upside of having them graded,protection andthe value of a graded ball,but I still prefer raw.

[Fuddjcal]

I have never had a graded ball in a cube that didn't have the ball and or Signature change in the cube over time, displayed or not. Newer MLB baseballs with certain inks (most inks these days) fade like bitch. Look at some of those Jeter Steiner balls??? $4-500.00 then the signature fades right before your eyes with-in a year or 2. NIIIICEEE!!!!!

I would ALMOST NEVER pay any premium for anything graded and taped shut in a cube. It's STUPID. A complete waste of money...not to mention their grading system is horrible & unreliable from the start.

[mr2686]

Non-graded and here's why (if I understand how they're grading...if not, please correct me). Baseballs, unlike cards, will not necessarily stay pristine just because they are in a tomb (cube). Ink will fade and/or turn color, oils from the hands of people that touched the ball (either during signing or grading) will turn to brown spots over time, etc etc. Not sure how a ball that has a high grade would remain a high grade over time (although it is possible but not guaranteed). I'm assuming you'll pay a higher price for the graded ball as well, and that to me is just money down the drain. Just my .02.

[Mr. Zipper]

Agree totally. Especially on a new ball that has not yet had the time to do whatever it may do eventually... Turn yellow, develop spots, etc.

The grading is an indicator on how the ball looked the day it was graded, which could change radically over time even with the best possible storage.

How many ugly stained balls will we eventually see with 9 or 10 grades? Once they "turn" those balls will never get cracked out. They'll pass from owner to owner like hot potatoes for years.

[baseball111]

Interesting. I never really thought about that before, and to think I was going to start collecting graded balls. So is there any method to preserve a signed baseball or is it just destined to spot?

[mr2686]

Originally Posted by baseball111

Interesting. I never really thought about that before, and to think I was going to start collecting graded balls. So is there any method to preserve a signed baseball or is it just destined to spot?

Yep. Always remember that sun/uv rays are not a signed baseball's friend, and neither is harsh lighting. If you want to display them, make sure you can control the lighting in the room, and use a type of lighting that will not have uv (LED lighting does not have UV). Also, keep the ball/balls in either a uv ball display case or uv ball cube, and if you have to handle them, either pick them up fingering only the seams or use gloves (oils will show up as brown spots over time).
I have baseballs from the 80's that look like they were signed yesterday...and baseballs from yesterday that look like they were signed 100 years ago. It's a crap shoot sometimes, especially if you can't pick the pen used or know how often the ball has been handled, but at least some of these things will help keep your baseballs nice for years to come.