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WHAT GUM CAME WITH BASEBALL CARDS

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In the late 1880s through the early 20th century, it was very common for chewing gum manufacturers to include baseball cards as an incentive inside their chewing gum packaging. This helped drive gum sales among young baseball fans while also serving as an early collectible for kids. Some of the most famous gum brands that included baseball cards were Topps, Bowman, and Bazooka.

Topps Chewing Gum first started including baseball cards in their product in 1951 and would become the dominant brand for modern baseball cards throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Decades earlier in the late 1800s/early 1900s, other gum brands laid the groundwork. For example, American Caramel Company produced cigarette cards in the 1890s that featured baseball players. It wasn’t until the 1900s that true baseball cards designed for collecting began regularly appearing inside gum wrappers and packaging.

One of the earliest gum brands known to regularly include baseball cards was Leaf Candy Company, based in Brooklyn, New York. In 1913, Leaf began producing gumballs that came wrapped in foil with cardboard discs advertising the gum inside. These early Leaf “cards” contained stats and photos of major league players on one side and an ad for Leaf gum on the reverse. A few years later in 1915, the more traditional cardboard baseball cards we now envision started coming inside Leaf gum packages.

Other early 20th century gum producers that pioneered the baseball card incentive model included Boston American League Baseball Club and its Beeman’s Pepsin Gum. In 1915, Beeman’s began including stats-backed cardboard cards of Red Sox players inside small gum packages. Over in Chicago, American Caramel Company produced Corky Caramel gum packs with cards from 1916-1917, focusing on the hometown Chicago Cubs and White Sox.

By far the most legendary early baseball gum brand was Goudey Gum Company of Boston. From 1905 to 1956, Goudey manufactured high-quality stick chewing gums that came packaged with all sorts of trading cards and collectibles to entice young customers. Some of their most iconic early releases included Goudey Sport Kings (1905-1930), Goudey Craze (1915), and their most famous release – Goudey Baseball (1933 and another run from 1952-1956).

The 1933 Goudey Baseball cards set the standard for design and production quality that later card issues strove to match. Featuring 161 total cards over multiple series releases, the 1933 Goudey set highlighted top stars like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Jimmie Foxx. The durable cardboard stock and crisp photographs made these early cards highly collectible even at the time. In fact, Goudey is credited alongside American Caramel Company as helping establish the modern ballplayer photography tradition on baseball cards starting in the early 20th century.

Virtually every iconic early-to-mid 20th century American gum brand included baseball cards as incentives at some point – usually packaged individually inside fresh gum sticks. Chewing gum was an affordable childhood indulgence, and baseball cards turned the product into a small collectible package that drove repeat purchases. Brands like Leaf, Beeman’s, Corky Caramel, and most famously – Goudey helped pave the way for the golden era of Topps baseball cards to come starting in the post-World War II period of the 1950s and beyond. The symbiotic relationship between gum sticks and baseball cards helped grow an entire multi-billion dollar collectibles industry in the decades to follow.

WHAT BASEBALL CARDS CAME WITH GUM

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The tradition of including baseball cards with sticks of chewing gum began in the late 1880s when American Tobacco Company started including small cardboard ballplayer photos inserted randomly into packs of cigarettes and tobacco products to help promote and market their brands. It was in the late 19th century when the practice truly took off. In 1888, the company decided to try including full-size ballplayer cards in several brands of gum including Cabinet Gum and Rainbow Striped Gum. This proved successful and helped boost gum sales, so the card insert became a standard practice.

In the early 1900s, most major chewing gum manufacturers included baseball cards as incentives. Brands like Topps, Bowman, Fleer and other smaller regional gum makers began cranking out sets featuring the latest stars of the day. Typically, a stick of gum would come individually wrapped with one or sometimes two random baseball cards stuck to the wrapper. Collecting full sets required buying many packs of gum on the off chance you got that one missing card to complete it. The cards themselves during this era featured black and white or sepia tone photos with basic player stats and positions printed on the back.

In 1909, American Caramel Company debuted the iconic T206 baseball card set, considered one of the most desirable of all time for collectors today. Produced between 1909-1911, these high-quality lithographed cards came one per pack in Caramel Cub Fatima Turkish blend cigarettes and Sweet Caporal cigarette brands. The elaborate designs and rarity of certain players like the Honus Wagner card have made high graded T206s some of the most expensive collectibles in the hobby.

During the 1950s, the golden age of baseball card collecting took off as kids across America pursued the flashy new cards found in bubble gum. Topps Chewing Gum took over the baseball card market in postwar 1950 and had the exclusive rights to produce them each year. Their annual sets became hugely popular amongst kids and included color photos, career stats and biographies on the back of each. Aside from Topps, the Bowman and Fleer gum companies also released competitive, yet more limited runs sold nationwide. Favorite Topps series from this period were the iconic 1952 and 1959 issues, known for their simple colorful designs and great rosters of retired and active players.

In the 1960s, Topps continued their annual releases but also experimented with oddball sets featuring action photos, managers or team sets in addition to the standard rookie card releases. From 1966-1968, the rival Fleer company gained rights to produce a competing set sold nationwide each year known for their unusual glossy finish. Bowman also reemerged after a decade away with their 1968 “blue background” set featuring first-year cards of future Hall of Famers like Reggie Jackson. Through the decade, the cards grew flashier with artistic action shots, purple/blue borders and yellow/orange color schemes that embodied the psychedelic era. Kid collectors could still find a pack with a stick of Topps, Fleer or Bowman gum inside store shelves or vending machines.

The 1970s saw the rise of the mega stars as collecting entered a true Golden Age of popularity. Each year, Topps cranked out larger color photo rookies of future household names like George Brett, Nolan Ryan, and Johnny Bench. The 1971 Topps design with dark blue borders and gold stamping became an instant classic. Competition remained fierce as Fleer released innovative sets using oddball materials like wide-vision cardboard or sandwiched cards. The 1976 SSPC set stood out for pioneering the concept of limited parallels short printed within the base set. The popularity and increases in print runs began straining supplies, causing the relationship between cards and gum inserts to diminish.

By the early 1980s, the connection between baseball gum and cards formally ended at card companies could no longer include gum inserts due to rises in production costs, lucrative TV advertising deals and collectability that increased chase factors across multiple parallel releases each year. The tradition did live on as collectors still thought nostalgically of a simpler time rummaging through piles of foil-wrapped cards and gum searching eagerly for their next big rookie addition to their collections. While buying loose packs or boxes became the norm, the fabled pairing of penny stick of gum alongside a slick cardboard ballplayer photo persisted heavily in childhood baseball card memories for generations right up to today.

For over 60 years stretching from the late 1800s through the 1970s, children across America grew up with the fond ritual each summer of scouring drug stores and supermarkets for their favorite brands of baseball trading cards – typically Topps, Fleer and Bowman – all of which inserted the thin cardboard collectibles randomly among sticks of bubble gum hidden in foil packaging. This promoted both the cardboard photo hobby and gum sales, fueling a multi-generational tradition now engrained deeply in American pop culture and the roots of modern sports memorabilia collecting. Even today, the nostalgic pairing remains vivid in the memories of millions who can still taste that childhood gum when thinking back to their worn collection of faded cardboard ballplayers from another era.

WHAT GAMES CAN YOU PLAY WITH BASEBALL CARDS

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War is one of the simplest games that can be played with baseball cards. To play, each player is dealt a facedown stack of cards. The stacks are flipped over simultaneously to reveal the cards. The player with the card featuring the player with the higher batting average wins both cards and adds them to the bottom of their stack. If the batting averages are the same, it’s a war — each player reveals the next three cards face up and the player with the majority of higher batting averages wins all of the cards. The game continues until one player has won all the cards.

Another classic is Topps Baseball. Two or more players match their best baseball cards in a game resembling blackjack. Players take turns flipping over cards with the goal of collecting three cards of the same player without going over 99 for their stats (batting average, home runs, etc.). If a player’s total stats exceed 99, they “strike out” and lose their cards for that round. The first player to collect three cards of the same player wins that round. Play continues through multiple rounds until one player collects the most matches and wins the game.

Slugfest is a stats-based game where players compete to collect position players and pitchers for their team. Each player is dealt an initial hand of seven cards. On a turn, a player draws a card and has the option of “playing” that card by adding it to their lineup if the player position or pitching role isn’t already filled. If the position/role is filled, the card is placed in the bench area. Players can also swap current lineup cards for ones on their bench. Play continues until all cards are drawn from the deck, at which point batting/pitching stats are totaled and the team with the highest score wins.

Topps Triple Play adds a strategic baseball element to the card game. Players are again dealt a hand and take turns drawing cards to build their lineup. But during the “game” phase, players can use special action cards like stolen bases, sac bunts, and extra base hits to score runs just like a real baseball game. Hits, walks, errors, and pitching stats on cards help determine the outcome of each “at-bat.” Multiple innings are played and the high scorer after nine innings wins.

Knockout takes elements of War and combines it with hand management. Each player is dealt five cards face down to start. On a turn, the top card of the deck is revealed and players must play a card of the same player position or forfeit their turn. If no match, the revealed card is won. Played cards stack in a pile. If your hand empties first, you’re “knocked out” of the round and score points based on leftover cards. Most points after multiple rounds wins.

Triple Stack adds a strategic stacking element to the traditional game of War. Each player receives a face-down stack of seven cards. On a turn, the top card of the opponent’s stack is revealed. If you have a card with a higher performance stat, you can play it onto your own stack face up. The goal is to build the tallest stack before someone “knocks it over” by playing a better stat card. Lots of bluffing and second-guessing makes this a favorites among baseball card game fans.

Starting Lineups is a team-building game utilizing full rosters of cards. Players take turns drafting cards one-by-one, using stats and abilities to put together the best possible lineup, pitching rotation, and bench. Managers have to weigh building the strongest offense versus a well-rounded team. Completed lineups are scored on stats; highest total wins. It rewards card collecting and a strategic baseball mind.

These are just a few of the many creative and engaging ways that collecting baseball cards not only preserves the history of the game, but keep the cards active with fun gameplay for collectors of all ages. Whether playing solo, against a sibling or friend, or in a larger tournament, the variety of baseball card games provides memorable gaming experiences that bring the stats and stars on the cards to life. Beyond just displaying and trading, games ensure baseball cards stay vibrant members of any collection that are enjoyable to interact with for years to come.

DO BASEBALL CARDS STILL COME WITH BUBBLE GUM

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While baseball cards accompanied by stick of bubble gum was a staple of the hobby for much of the latter 20th century, in today’s market gum is rarely included with baseball card packs. There are a few reasons for this change over the past few decades.

To understand why gum is no longer a standard inclusion, it helps to look at the history and origins of the baseball card-bubble gum pairing. The concept of including small toys, stickers, or other non-baseball accessories with card packs took shape in the 1930s as a marketing tactic by card manufacturers to broaden the potential audience and boost sales of their products beyond just dedicated baseball card collectors.

Including a stick of bubble gum helped transform baseball cards from a niche hobby item into affordable recreational fare that could appeal to younger children as well. It was a savvy business move that paid off tremendously for companies like Topps, making the baseball card-gum combination synonymous with the hobby from the post-World War 2 era through the 1980s golden age of the sport.

Attitudes and safety standards slowly began changing through the 1990s with a sharper focus on potential risks to consumers, especially for products aimed at kids. Lawsuits over harmful ingredients in candy and toys generated new regulations and restrictions. Gum manufacturers reformulated recipes to remove potentially hazardous additives and dye colors. Additional packaging and labeling was also required by law.

These consumer protection measures drove up production costs. Meanwhile, the baseball card market was maturing as the memorabilia and collectibles craze took off. Older hobbyists replaced children as the main consumers. The extra costs of including gum in each pack started to seem like an unnecessary expense for manufacturers to absorb.

Baseball cards transformed from affordable impulse purchases at corner stores to a serious investment market targeting established collectors. Individual cards or sets sold at higher premium prices through specialized shops and online dealerships. There was less incentive to use freebees to entice younger or casual customers when serious adult fans were rewarding companies with big money for premium vintage and rookie cards.

So in the 1990s, Topps was among the first manufacturers to phase out the bubble gum, instead introducing bonus stickers or other minor extras into common card packs sold through mass retailers. By the 2000s and 2010s, even those token additions faded away in favor of singularly focusing on the baseball cards themselves in standard packs sold in hobby shops and boxed factory sets targeted at dedicated collectors.

Nostalgia for the classic baseball card-gum pairing never went away. Periodically over the past 20+ years, companies have experimented with limited throwback releases pairing modern cards with bubble gum to cash in on fondremembrances of the golden era combination. These special retro product runs normally command higher prices reflective of their novelty collectability rather than widespread availability or mass market pricing structure.

While increased costs, safety standards, and maturing hobby demographics combined to make bubble gum additions economically impractical for ongoing mainstream baseball card production since the 1990s, the memory and appeal of that classic postwar formula never faded for longtime fans and collectors. Occasional nostalgia-driven releases hint that perhaps some form of gum could potentially be paired with cards again if manufactured and priced as celebratory commemorative items rather than as an everyday product standard. But for regular ongoing series and sets today, baseball cards stand primarily on their own without any supplemental bubble gum promotion or treat.

WHAT TO DO WITH 1980s BASEBALL CARDS

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If you have a collection of baseball cards from the 1980s, there are several interesting options for what you can do with them. The 1980s saw huge growth in the baseball card industry and hobby. Many of the cards from this era hold significant nostalgic and monetary value.

First, you’ll want to do an inventory of your collection to see what notable cards you have. The 1980s had several legendary players who were rookie cards during that time like Cal Ripken Jr., Wade Boggs, Ozzie Smith, and Tony Gwynn. Look through for any of these star players in mint or near mint condition. Grading services like PSA or BGS can professionally grade and encapsulate valuable rookie cards to preserve and authenticate their condition. Getting high grade iconic 1980s rookies professionally graded could yield a significant return if you choose to sell them later.

Beyond individual star cards, sets from the 1980s that are highly collectible include Topps, Donruss, and Fleer. Completing these classic sets is a fun challenge for collectors. You may be able to finish some incomplete sets by trading or selling duplicates online through group forums or individual classifieds. Make sure to do research on recent sales of certain years, sets, and player/team subsets to get a sense of current market values before trading away any valuable cards.

You could also consider putting together themed subsets from your 1980s cards like all Red Sox players, 1984 Expos team set, or 1986 Topps Traded cards. Creative collectors enjoy building customized collections around certain years, teams, or categories within their holdings. These focused collections are a great way to enjoy and display your cards while potentially increasing their value to specialized collectors down the line.

If you don’t have the time or interest for actively collecting the cards anymore, selling your 1980s collection either whole or in parts is a viable option. eBay is a popular marketplace for individuals to auction cards, but you’ll want to do your homework on recently sold “completed listings” to price your items competitively. Online shops specializing in vintage sports memorabilia are another route for getting professional appraisals and fair cash offers. Be wary of “we buy collections” ads that may lowball serious collections. Meeting in-person adds security if selling locally through Facebook Marketplace or collector exchanges.

For more casual holders, donating 1980s baseball cards could benefit younger collectors or schools. Organizations like the Baseball Hall of Fame accept donations toward their educational program outreach. Make sure to get a receipt for tax purposes. Another suggestion is to scan or photograph the highlights of your collection to digitally preserve the nostalgia before thinning out physical cards. Digital and physical platforms mean your memories can be enjoyed for years to come.

With care and research 1980s baseball cards offer many options as a collection to actively build upon, creatively customize, profit from selling, donate for community benefit, or digitize as a keepsake of baseball memories from that exciting era. For collectors, there is a wealth of enjoyment and potential value in cards from the decade that saw explosive growth in the sport and hobby. I hope these perspective give you some interesting ideas and context for how to appreciate your 1980s collection for years to come.

WHAT DO I DO WITH OLD BASEBALL CARDS

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If the baseball cards are in good condition and depict valuable players, the first option would be to consider having them professionally graded and authenticated and then selling them. Getting the cards professionally graded involves sending them to one of the major third-party grading companies like PSA, Beckett, or SGC. The company will examine each card closely, assign it a numerical grade based on its condition from 1-10, then authenticate and encapsulate it in a hard plastic slab with the grade clearly labeled.

Getting cards graded adds legitimacy and reassurance of condition for potential buyers. It also makes logical sense if a card could potentially be worth several hundred dollars or more in a certain grade. There is a cost involved – usually a few dollars per card to have it graded, plus shipping costs. The added value from a high grade often outweighs these costs for valuable vintage cards but may not make financial sense for more common cards.

Once graded cards are returned, they could then be listed for sale individually on online auction sites like eBay. Make sure to do some research to understand the recent sales prices achieved for that same player and year card in similar grades. Take clear photos showcasing the front and back of the encapsulated card. Provide accurate descriptions of any flaws, and be fully transparent. Check the typical sale prices for that graded card online to price it competitively.

Another selling option is to group sets or lots of lower-value cards together rather than individually listing each one. Theme the lots around certain players, teams, or years and provide photos of sample cards representing what would be included. Again research recent comparable past sales of grouped lots to establish a fair starting price. Lots can be an efficient way to move larger volumes of cards without spending endless time individually listing each one.

One increasingly popular strategy for baseball card collectors is to assemble complete sets from certain years. This involves obtaining every single base card (non-insert, non-parallel variety) issued in a given set. For example, compiling a complete 1987 Topps set which contained 792 cards. Full sets can be quite valuable depending on the year, condition and rarity of cards needed to complete it. If a collector has extra duplicates cards beyond what they need for their sets, they could use those for upgrading conditions of their own collection or offer trades to try filling other holes. Online message boards and trade groups help facilitate card exchanges between collectors.

For cards in rougher condition with creases, rounded edges or other flaws, the collectible value is reduced. In those cases, the options are more limited. It may not make much financial sense to pay grading fees if the grade comes back low. Consider just keeping favorite player cards that hold sentimental value despite flaws. Otherwise, options are donating cards to schools, youth sports leagues, or hobby shops where they could drum up renewed collecting interest among younger fans. Another possibility is bulk selling partial sets or lots of common cards on eBay listed as being in “used” condition for crafting, scrapbooking or other non-collecting purposes. Just price the lots very reasonably based on their condition issues.

Sometimes attending local baseball card shows provides an opportunity to directly meet and interact with collectors. Card owners can spread out their entire collection across a dealer’s table space rented for the day to allow people to browse, make offers on individual items or trade duplicates/lots. This is a fun way to potentially find cards new homes and see what other collectors are interested in at the same time.

Proper storage and organization is important long term whether the goal is collecting, selling or just preserving nostalgia. Store cards in protective sleeves, binders or boxes and store in a cool, dry location away from direct light exposure which can cause degradation over many years. Clearly label or maintain detailed inventory lists to track what’s included in each personal collection over time.

Taking the time to explore multiple potential options like grading, selling individually online, grouping into themed lots, facilitating trades, donating or bulk selling can help ensure old baseball cards find new appreciative homes rather than being discarded while also potentially generating some monetary return depending on specific cards and conditions involved. Proper storage helps preserve their condition no matter what route is chosen. With some effort, old collections can stay active for years of continued enjoyment for owners and collectors alike.

WHAT TO DO WITH JUNK BASEBALL CARDS

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One of the first options to consider is whether any of the cards have collector value, even if they appear to be in poor condition. Sometimes cards from older sets that are not in mint condition can still be worth something to collectors who are willing to accept cards with flaws. It’s worth taking the time to carefully look through the cards, even those in terrible shape, and check recent sales prices online for any rare or valuable cards that may be present. You never know when an otherwise “junk” card could be worth $5, $10 or more due to its players, year, or other factors affecting demand.

If after closely examining the cards there appear to be no cards with any collector interest or monetary value, even considering their condition, then the next best option is to donate them to organizations that can potentially put them to good use even if they are worn or damaged. Baseball card trade and collector shops may accept donations of bulk common cards to use for their redemption programs where customers can trade in dozens of common cards to receive packs, boxes or singles in return. While the shop benefits from the donated cards, this allows the cards to remain circulating among collectors rather than being thrown away.

Local children’s hospitals, youth centers, baseball leagues or baseball card collector clubs are other good options to consider donating junk cards to. Even though the cards themselves may have no resale value, they can still provide enjoyment and entertainment for young collectors, patients or organization members who will appreciate them regardless of condition. Donating the cards ensures they see new life benefiting others rather than being trashed. It’s a good way to potentially encourage future collectors too. Most donation locations will even provide a receipt for tax deduction purposes.

If donation is not feasible, another environmentally-friendly option is to creatively reuse or repurpose the junk cards rather than throwing them in the trash. Ideas include cutting out player photos to make a scrapbook or display, using card fronts/backs as decoration by laminating and mounting on wood, or crafting them into mosaics, frames or unique works of art. The sticky backs could be reused by covering with contact paper to make personalized gift tags, labels or bookmarks. There is potential to get creative and upcycle the cards into new usable items rather than waste.

As a last resort if none of the higher purpose options are suitable, at minimum the cards can be properly recycled rather than trashed. Make sure to check what type of paper waste and number of different recycling facilities accept in your local area, as procedures vary by location. Removing any non-paper wrappers or accessories first is recommended. Paying attention to proper recycling ensures the cards avoid the landfill and are reprocessed into new paper products instead. Responsible recycling should always be considered over throwing items directly in the trash.

Junk baseball cards have multiple higher purpose options rather than simply being discarded. With some effort, even cards in terrible condition may have value to collectors, charities or creative reuse/repurposing projects. Donating, upcycling or properly recycling provides the most environmentally-sound approaches if the cards truly appear to be “junk” quality. Taking the time to consider these alternatives means old baseball cards can avoid the trash and potentially bring enjoyment to others for years to come.

BASEBALL BOARD GAME WITH DICE AND CARDS

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Baseball board games that incorporate dice and cards are a fun way for fans of all ages to bring the excitement of America’s pastime to the tabletop. By simulating the strategic decisions and element of chance involved in real baseball through dice rolls and card draws, these games allow players to experience the thrill of the game from the manager’s perspective. Some of the most popular and well-designed baseball board games that utilize dice and/or cards include Statis Pro Baseball, Strat-O-Matic Baseball, All-Star Baseball, and Baseball Highlights: 2045.

Statis Pro Baseball is a highly realistic simulation game first released in the 1980s that is still popular among hardcore baseball fans today. In Statis Pro, each major league player from the current season is represented by an individual card containing stats for their hitting, pitching, fielding, and other abilities. Players take turns rolling dice and consulting the cards to determine the outcome of at-bats, pitches, fielding plays, and more. With over 150 possible results for every batter vs pitcher matchup, Statis Pro delivers an immersive experience that truly captures the nuanced interactions that occur on the baseball diamond. It provides the perfect mix of strategy in choosing lineups and making tactical in-game decisions combined with the randomness of “luck” that is integral to baseball.

Another classic that is deeply rooted in statistical analysis is Strat-O-Matic Baseball. Debuting in the early 1960s, Strat-O-Matic was truly ahead of its time by using play-by-play probabilities based on extensive historical player performance data. Like Statis Pro, each player has unique cards that dictate the outcomes of their at-bats and pitching appearances. But Strat-O-Matic differentiates itself through additional modifiers for game situations, ballpark factors, and other intricate details. It is renowned for its unparalleled level of realism and has developed a dedicated following among analysts and number-crunching baseball purists over more than half a century in production.

For a more streamlined take focused on fun over hyper-realism, All-Star Baseball is a long-running option first published in 1967. In All-Star Baseball, players roll two six-sided dice to determine hit/miss/error results rather than consulting individual cards. This faster-paced approach makes All-Star Baseball ideal for casual play while still capturing the essence of managing a team through simulated games. Variants include modern league and team rosters as well as historical “dream team” matchups. Along with its simplicity, All-Star Baseball is notable for including ongoing season and career stats tracking so players can experience the longevity of a real managerial career.

A contemporary board game blending retro and innovative elements is Baseball Highlights: 2045 from designer Emerson Matsuuchi. Taking place in a futuristic year where baseball has evolved, 2045 features gorgeous sculpted playing pieces representing robot and genetically engineered athletes. Players assemble a team by “drafting” cards that power these high-tech players. Games play out through card-driven actions reminiscent of Strat-O-Matic with abilities like “Perfect Throwing Arm” or “Bionic Speed.” 2045 excels at capturing the wonder and speculation people have about the future of sports while still honoring baseball’s past. With multiple modes of single-player, head-to-head, and full league play, 2045 has broad appeal for casual and committed baseball fans alike.

Whether seeking a deep simulation, quick family fun, or a creative new take on the national pastime, baseball board games provide an accessible and engaging way to get your competitive baseball fix between seasons. The integration of dice rolls and card draws in titles like Statis Pro Baseball, Strat-O-Matic Baseball, All-Star Baseball, and Baseball Highlights: 2045 make each game a fresh experience that captures the uncertainty and “what if” scenarios that keep fans coming back to America’s favorite game, now available to play and strategize all year round on your tabletop. Looking to the future, as statistical analysis and technological innovations continue, new generations of baseball board games will surely find novel ways to bring the excitement of baseball into our homes for years to come.

CUSTOM BASEBALL CARDS WITH STATS

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Creating custom baseball cards has become a fun hobby for many baseball fans who want to design cards featuring their favorite players, teams, or even themselves. With some basic design skills and online printing services, anyone can make realistic looking baseball cards complete with stats, photos, and customized information. Here are some tips for making high quality custom baseball cards with stats.

The first step is choosing which players or teams you want to feature on your custom cards. You’ll need relevant photos and stats for each player or team. Photos can be found online or you may already have some favorite images you want to use. For stats, research players’ career numbers like batting average, home runs, RBIs, wins, saves, ERA and more on sites like Baseball-Reference.com which provides an immense database of stats. You’ll want stats from both the current season you’re making cards for as well as career totals.

Once you’ve selected your subjects and gathered photos and stats, it’s time to start designing the cards. Many people use graphic design software like Photoshop, Illustrator or GIMP to lay out the cards. Start with template images of standard baseball card fronts and backs to use as guides. Place photos on the front along with the player or team name. On the back, you can include stats tables as well as paragraphs with biographical information and career highlights. Be sure to leave room for things like the manufacturer logo and legal text that real cards contain.

When designing your custom baseball cards, pay close attention to details that will make them look authentic. Use fonts similar to those found on real cards. Include all relevant stats categories and be sure numbers line up properly in tables. Add texture overlays to photos to mimic the look of real card stock. You can even print team logos and manufacturer logos to use as washes on the design. Be meticulous about spelling, stats, and factual information so the final cards hold up to close scrutiny. Test printing mockups on regular paper first before ordering final cards.

Once designs are finalized, it’s time to print the custom baseball cards. Many online print-on-demand services specialize in trading cards and can replicate the high quality glossy card stock found in real packs of cards. When uploading designs, be sure photos and graphics are high resolution for sharp prints. Options like card size, finish, and quantity can be selected. Pricing varies depending on order size but single cards can be ordered for just a dollar or two each. Printing services will cut, stack and often even sleeve the finished cards for you.

Some extra customization options are available too. Spot varnishing or autograph signatures can give cards an extra special touch. Numbering prints in limited editions mimics high-end inserts found in retail packs. Protective plastic holders or magnetic sheets can be ordered too if you plan to display cards rather than trade them. Finished custom baseball cards make unique personalized gifts for fellow baseball fans or to commemorate favorite players and seasons. With a little creativity anyone can design and print high quality collectible cards full of stats to enjoy for years to come.