Validating/Dating Scorecards

[gonefishin]

Just wondering if anyone has any tricks or methods of establishing the specific date a game was played for a vintage scorecard that doesn't reflect the date of the game. Of course, other than the scorecard being filled out. Even when it is filled out, it is a pain in establishing the exact date.

I find myself reading every page of the scorecard trying to narrow down when the game was. Sometimes I get lucky, but most of time not.

Thanks.

[bigfanNY]

Baseball referance is a big help. First since you know teams and year it narrows choices down fast. Then looking at scores can narrow more. And batting orders also help. Look under schedule and results..
Hope this helps
J

[gonefishin]

As always, thanks Jonathon. I use baseball reference frequently, and other like sites. They are a big help, but I struggle when it comes to the older scorecards that aren't scored, nor do they contain a date. I actually try to use dates or items referred to in the text ads, but sometimes I just can't figure it out.

I was hoping there was some sort of marking, serial number, or copyright that might pin them down for me. However, I realize that each team and stadium used their own printers etc. If one has a scorecard with both Ruth and Gehrig in the lineup it would be nice to know the date of the game.

I've become enamored with scorecards for about a year or so and am eager to learn from people that have collected them much longer than me.

Again, thanks.

[ooo-ribay]

Kind of off topic but not really…is there much of a problem with blank scorecards later filled out to make them look like they were milestone games?

[bigfanNY]

Originally Posted by ooo-ribay

Kind of off topic but not really…is there much of a problem with blank scorecards later filled out to make them look like they were milestone games?

It is not common but it can happen. So typically the preprinted lineup would mean it can be narrowed down to a particular series. Say the Dodgers come in town to play the Giants for a 3 game series. Now if game 2 is a No hitter or other milestone. And you have a blank scorecard it is worth less than a fully scored version. Could someone score it.... yes but I wouldn't say it happens often.

[doug.goodman]

I find retrosheet.org to often be easier to navigate then baseballreference (which gets the majority of its info from retrosheet).

When trying to date an unscored program I first check all the times the visiting team was at the home team that year.

If there are "upcoming games" listed in the program that can eliminate some games.

Checking transactions by the teams during the season of the players on (or not on) the rosters is often helpful in narrowing the time frame.

The cover of the program can help narrow down the date if the team had multiple program covers in a year. The Dodgers started changing their covers thru the year in 1958, I think the Yankees started in 1964, etc.