Baseball cards have been a beloved pastime for generations, allowing fans to collect pieces of the game they love. The Tri-Cities area of southeastern Washington, consisting of Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland, has long had an enthusiastic baseball card collecting community. With a population of over 250,000 people, the Tri-Cities provides many opportunities for locals to buy, sell, trade, and discuss their baseball card collections.
Kennewick in particular has been a hub for baseball card activity. For over 30 years, collectors have frequented Northwest Sports Cards, the oldest and largest sports card shop in the area. Located in the Southridge area of Kennewick, Northwest Sports Cards offers an immense inventory of new and vintage baseball cards for people of all ages. Store owner Brian Hunt began collecting as a child in the 1970s and opened the business in 1990 to share his passion for the hobby. The 5,000 square foot store stocks an enormous selection of wax packs, boxes, and individual cards from every era of the sport spanning over a century.
Whether someone is looking to build their collection, find a rare gem, or sell duplicates, Northwest Sports Cards is the premier destination. In addition to its retail presence, the shop also hosts numerous baseball card shows throughout the year that draw collectors from across the Pacific Northwest. Some of the biggest and best-attended events take place in February, June, and October. Vendors from around the region rent tables to sell, buy, and trade with the hundreds of attendees that descend on Kennewick for these popular community gatherings.
While Northwest Sports Cards may be the largest, it’s certainly not the only game in town. Baseball card collectors in Kennewick are also well served by Columbia Card Shop, located a few miles away in the south part of the city. Owned and operated by the knowledgeable Mike and Janet DeLong, Columbia Card Shop has been in business since 1994. With a cozier atmosphere than the bigger Northwest Sports Cards, Columbia Card Shop is a favorite local haunt for many longtime and casual collectors. Mike’s expertise and friendly customer service have made the shop a staple of the local card scene.
In addition to the brick-and-mortar stores, the Tri-Cities is home to numerous baseball card collecting clubs and organizations. One of the most prominent is the Tri-City Baseball Card Collectors Club. Founded in 1989, the club meets monthly at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick. Meetings typically draw 30-50 attendees and feature guest speakers, group breaks, prize drawings, and an opportunity for members to buy, sell, and trade with one another. Dues are only $12 per year to join, providing access to knowledge from veteran collectors, discounts at local shops, and a supportive community passionate about the hobby.
The club plays an active role in fostering the baseball card culture throughout the Tri-Cities area. Each year they organize the largest card show in the region, held the first weekend of June. The show transforms the convention center into a baseball card lover’s paradise, with over 100 tables of vendors and memorabilia on full display. Attendance has grown steadily, with the 2022 edition welcoming over 1,000 collectors through the doors over the two-day event. Proceeds from the show support the club’s initiatives as well as youth baseball throughout the local community.
In addition to organized clubs and shops, Kennewick’s baseball card scene is bolstered by the presence of the Vancouver Canadians minor league baseball team. The Canadians play just 25 miles away in Vancouver, Washington and have strong fan support from Tri-Cities residents. Each season, the Canadians release exclusive team sets that are hot commodities for collectors. In recent years they have even produced special retro-style cards featuring former players, generating additional excitement. During their home games, the Canadians sell packs and boxes of the latest cards at concession stands, keeping the hobby alive and visible.
Whether someone is a lifelong collector or just starting to explore the joy of baseball cards, Kennewick, Washington provides ample opportunities to participate in the vibrant community. Between the knowledgeable local shops, active collecting clubs, and proximity to minor league baseball, the region has developed a rich baseball card culture that continues to thrive and introduce new generations to the hobby. For any fan looking to build a collection, find a rare treasure, or simply discuss the game, Kennewick ensures there’s a place to share their passion.
