Vintage Or Current Ball For Signature?

[Northrunner]

EldoEsq,
Thanks for that info about bleeding, that did not occur to me. My ball was soiled so I wiped it down with just a moist towel and cleaned it up some. After it dryed it was somewhat porus and I expect bleeding could be very possible. Maybe I'll try applying some leather boot conditioner and rub that in well and see if that will put some "sheen" back into the leather.

Thanks again!

[mcgwirecom]

Hi, I always thought that getting an older player on his playing era baseball was the way to go. However if the players signature has changed alot over the years it may look odd. I collect Mark McGwire stuff and his signature is much different now then way back when. So I actually avoid getting him to sign older items because the signature just doesn't jive with the older era items. just my 2 cents...

[icollectDCsports]

If the ball isn't so discolored, particularly on the sweet spot, that it would prevent a signature from being clearly readable, then I think you should go with your instinct and combine the signature of this older icon with the sentimentality of something that belonged to your dad. Bottom line shouldn't be how it would look to others but what would mean the most to you. You might want to tell the player that the ball being signed is very special to you because it belonged to your dad.

[murphusa]

You might be surprised if you said to the played that you do not want their autograph but would love their signature on your ball or picture

If the player is from the 30's to 50's use a fountain pen

[UnVme7]

I'd go with the safer way-- new ball

[Scott Garner]

I faced this same dilemma a number of years ago. I picked up a game used William Harridge ball for a nominal amount (about $10) on a trip to Chicago.

I've always had a fascination for fastball speed records. Prior to the modern radar guns, Bob Feller had held the mantel for having the fastest recorded fastball.

His fastball was measured first in a contest where he threw a ball through a paper target easily beating a speeding motorcycle moving at a known speed of 80 MPH. Not too scientific, but fun to watch and record.

In 1946 he has clocked at 98 MPH (or using today's standard of fastball speed measurement, 107.9 MPH) using the Army Ordinance Departments Sky Screen Chronograph.

Not having much into the Harridge ball, I decided to have Feller sign it for me with the 107.9 MPH inscription perhaps 10 years ago. I thought it would make a cool conversation piece if nothing else.

As you can see from my pictures, the BIC blue ballpoint pen sig that Mr. Feller applied has held up extremely well in spite of the ball being old and game used.

But, that being said, the leather used in the manufacture of baseballs is very unpredictable. You never know how the sig will hold up over time. I would suggest that no matter what ball you choose, use a BLUE BIC ball point pen as I have found these to be the best as far as the sigs holding up so well. Never use black ballpoint pen, as these sigs frequently fade like invisible ink FWIW.

No matter what you choose, good luck with your project!