Baseball cards have been a beloved pastime for generations, with collectors across the country amassing collections of their favorite players from throughout history. The city of Ocala, located in central Florida, has developed a vibrant baseball card community of its own over the years. From local card shops to shows and conventions, Ocala offers plenty of opportunities for card enthusiasts both casual and serious to engage with the hobby.
One of the most well-known destinations for baseball cards in Ocala is Frank’s Sportscards, which has been in business since 1990. Located on Silver Springs Boulevard just west of I-75, Frank’s is a baseball card shop with over 10,000 square feet of retail space dedicated entirely to the hobby. In addition to carrying newly released packs, boxes, and sets from the major card companies like Topps, Panini, and Upper Deck, Frank’s has a massive inventory of individual cards, albums, and memorabilia available. Their extensive back stock and ability to special order just about any card imaginable has made Frank’s a favorite haunt of Ocala collectors for decades.
While browsing through their seemingly endless selection of cards is enjoyable on its own, Frank’s also regularly hosts special events that draw collectors from throughout the region. Every other Sunday afternoon they hold a baseball card show and swap meet, where dozens of vendors fill the shop to buy, sell, and trade with customers. These shows are a lively scene where deals can be found on everything from common base cards to rare vintage gems. Additionally, Frank’s celebrates the release of each new year’s baseball card products with launch parties that include giveaways, autograph opportunities, and special discounts. For serious collectors, it doesn’t get much better than being able to experience the hobby at one of Ocala’s premier card shops.
Another local destination for baseball card aficionados is Dave & Adam’s Card World, located in the Paddock Mall. While smaller than Frank’s, Dave & Adam’s still stocks a wide assortment of new and vintage cardboard to browse through. They also hold periodic card shows and special events of their own. A key part of their business is buying collections, with the owners having purchased countless collections from collectors downsizing over the years. This back stock of purchased collections gives Dave & Adam’s an inventory of older cards that can be hard to find elsewhere. Both casual shoppers and sellers of large collections make Dave & Adam’s a staple in the Ocala card scene.
In addition to their brick and mortar shops, Ocala-based collectors stay connected through social media groups and online forums. One of the most active is the “Ocala Baseball Card Collectors” Facebook group, which has nearly 1,000 members. Here, local collectors can stay up to date on upcoming card shows and events, coordinate group breaks of new wax, and facilitate trades and sales within the community. Photos of recent pickups and collection updates are also frequently shared. For those not able to regularly visit local shops, these digital spaces have become an essential way to participate in the area’s baseball card culture from afar.
On the show and convention front, Ocala collectors have two major annual events circled on their calendars. Each April, Frank’s Sportscards hosts the Central Florida Sports Card and Memorabilia Show. Occupying the entire shop plus additional space, this massive two day show brings in over 100 tables of vendors selling and trading cards, autographs, unopened product, and more. It’s a must-attend for both casual browsing and serious collecting. In September, the Ocala Card Show takes over the Motel 6 on SR 200. While smaller than the Frank’s show, it still draws local collectors and dozens of vendors over its single day. Here, the focus is primarily on trading and selling individual cards across all sports.
Beyond their local brick and mortar outlets and shows, Ocala collectors also make the trips to some of Florida’s larger card conventions. Just an hour down I-75 is the Tampa Bay Sports Card Show, held monthly in various Tampa area venues. As one of the largest and most established shows in the state, it brings in national vendors and attractions like guest autograph signings. Periodically, the larger Mega Card Show in Orlando also draws collectors from Ocala willing to make the slightly longer drive. Events like these allow Ocala collectors to experience the hobby at a larger scale while still supporting their local shops and traders.
Whether making the rounds of Ocala’s dedicated card shops, participating in local online communities, or traveling farther afield to conventions, the city clearly has an enthusiastic baseball card following. Multiple generations have now grown up collecting and trading in Ocala. With beloved institutions like Frank’s Sportscards long entrenched, and new collectors always joining the ranks, the future remains bright for keeping Ocala’s baseball card culture thriving for years to come. Between its shops, shows, and connected collector base, Ocala truly offers a little bit of everything for fans of America’s pastime on cardboard.