1983 AAA World Series Baseball

[Navyguy]

So, I have a baseball from the 1983 AAA World Series (the only AAA world series to ever be played, they changed the name for later years). It has a stamp on the ball that is similar to the majors world series, except it says AAA above it. This game was played in Louisville Ky and I lived near there and went to the game. At the game they had former pros signing autographs. So my dad bought me a ball and I was able to get Mickey Mantle, Bob Feller, Peewee Reese, A. Ray Smith and one other signature I can't make out on the ball. Then, I went home and played with the ball haha... The ball is in fairly rough shape I would say... browning, wear from a bat, and a few random stains... no grass stains though. All the signatures are legible with very little smudging in bright blue ink.

What I am wondering is, has anyone ever seen a ball like this before? Wondering what the value may be if I sent it off to get authenticated. If anyone remembers that game or has any other information about it I would love to hear from you as well.

[jgmp123]

Any photos available? If so, pleas attach if you want an accurate estimate on value.

[Bestdj777]

Welcome to the forum. I am sure some experts are going to weigh in on it but, based on what I've seen, it is unlikely to have much in the way of value given the condition, the fact that there are multiple signatures on the ball, and the fact that there is very little connecting any of the signers to the type of ball it is signed on. I think I spent about $250 on a pretty clean signed baseball of Mantle and a few other hall of famers. Although I likely got a decent deal on it, I couldn't imagine yours would come even close to that price if it is indeed really rough. It's likely one of those things where you'd just want to hold onto it as the memories are worth more than the item itself.

I recommend posting pictures for a better idea of value.

As for certification, I would advise against. If you were there, you know it is real. And, the cost of getting a certification on it would not be cheap. If you are looking to sell, Net54 is a great place and you can move it without the certification if real. I know I've gotten two Mantle autographed balls here and would be a buyer of yours if the price was in line with the value and the autos checked out by the board.

[Navyguy]

Won't let me attach the pics (think they are to big), but here is a link that should take you to them.

https://goo.gl/photos/drGTESKGwCywR6c97

[btcarfagno]

It's a neat piece. Anything with a Mantle signature is likely to fetch over $100 unless the piece or the signature is in bad shape. Your ball isn't in the best shape but it isn't terrible. The inclusion of Reese I would say helps a bit as well. My best guess would be in the $150 range give or take $25 or so either way.

Tom C

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by Navyguy

So, I have a baseball from the 1983 AAA World Series (the only AAA world series to ever be played, they changed the name for later years). It has a stamp on the ball that is similar to the majors world series, except it says AAA above it. This game was played in Louisville Ky and I lived near there and went to the game. At the game they had former pros signing autographs. So my dad bought me a ball and I was able to get Mickey Mantle, Bob Feller, Peewee Reese, A. Ray Smith and one other signature I can't make out on the ball. Then, I went home and played with the ball haha... The ball is in fairly rough shape I would say... browning, wear from a bat, and a few random stains... no grass stains though. All the signatures are legible with very little smudging in bright blue ink.

What I am wondering is, has anyone ever seen a ball like this before? Wondering what the value may be if I sent it off to get authenticated. If anyone remembers that game or has any other information about it I would love to hear from you as well.

Jim Fregosi is your other signature on the ball. He was an All Star SS with the California Angels and was traded to the Mets for some wild-ass pitcher named Nolan Ryan in late 1971. I hear that Ryan guy ended up being a decent pitcher...

[Navyguy]

Originally Posted by Scott Garner

Jim Fregosi is your other signature on the ball. He was an All Star SS with the California Angels and was traded to the Mets for some wild-ass pitcher named Nolan Ryan in late 1971. I hear that Ryan guy ended up being a decent pitcher...

Thank you! I have wondered who that was for years haha...

[roarfrom34]

I think perhaps Fregosi was the Louisville manager that season