Tips on preserving my autographed balls and bats?

[mr2686]

The UV protection is a good start. I'm of the opinion that no light is good light, but you have to display them and enjoy them, so I'd keep the light to a minimum (especially direct sunlight) when not enjoying them or showing them off. I do have two of my uv ball cases on walls oposite each other in what used to be a closet with Halogen track lighting pointed away from them so that when lit up the light is defused. I also have a dimmer switch so that I can control the amount of light...looks kinda like museum lighting when right. Also, don't handle the baseballs without gloves or at least only handle with your fingers on the seams because the oils from your fingers will tone the leather of the ball...maybe not right away, but down the road. If you're getting sigs in person on a ball, try to control the situation by using your own pen. Some pens that these shows use are pretty much crap and some I've seen will fade faster than others. I like a Bic med point...seems to hold up nicely and not fade badly...but sometimes it's the leather of the ball itself that causes the problem.
And last but not least, sometimes the darn thing will just fade. But at least you're trying to take steps to lessen the possibility.
Hope that helps.