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So you want to start a baseball pin collection? Here is everything you need to know before you do.

A baseball pin collection is just about the most American thing anybody can own. It's a one-of-a-kind slice of Americana, steeped in nostalgia and fetching some incredible prices for the right pieces.

But how do you get started? Where do you trade these pins? And which pins should you collect?

These are all pertinent questions and, luckily for you, all ones we will be addressing in this blog piece. Join us, as we break down how you can start collecting the pins you really want, today!

How To Get Started

Pin trading is central to the Little League experience, as much a part of it as the games and tournaments. You'll see tents set up at the Little League World Series and Facebook groups flooded with people doing thousands of trades every year.

But where do you start if you want to make this hobby legit? Baseball pins are everywhere, making them one of the easiest collections to pick up. Supply isn't the issue, but is there a "right" way to get started?

Not to get too philosophical, but your first point of order should be looking inwards. Ask yourself: "Why do I want to collect pins?" Are you supporting or commemorating your team, or is this more for the love of collecting?

Answer this question and you can gear your collection towards numbers, rare items, or whatever makes sense for you. Once you know what you'll be collecting and why it's time to start collecting.

Choosing A Pin Type

In the world of baseball trading pins, there are four varieties of you can collect:

As with any collection, these pins tend to be traded for one of two reasons. Often, collectors will buy or trade pins based on their design, with more colorful, more intricate designs trading faster. Bold colors, limited edition designs, and eye-catching visuals go a long way, here.

Alternatively, there's always vintage items. These are valuable because of their age, not their design, as sometimes there are only a dozen or so of them left in circulation. The market for these can be great for the savvy buyer, but they are also an attractive option for nostalgic pin collectors.

Pin Values

As we've discussed, sometimes a pin collection is just a pin collection. You'll find boxes full of team pins from amateur locals, perhaps a few from your kids' big games. All of which is fine if you're just collecting for the sake of having a collection, in which case the value of the pin doesn't matter much.

But collectors also put a great deal of stock behind the value of many baseball pins. And, luckily, there are a lot of great resources online. As a collector, it's easy enough to research a pin's value on the Internet, either via articles or communications with antique dealers.

Conventions and Trade Shows

There's nowhere on this earth more important to a collector than the trade show and convention circuit. These meetups connect pin enthusiasts, collectors, dealers, and specialists with each other. Appraisers and pin dealers do great business at these events. But they also make their expertise available to help collectors gauge their pins' or collections' worth.

This is the promised land for an avid collector, bringing everyone from beginners to experts together under one roof. Spend the day indulging your passion for these pins, and you'll gain valuable insights, grow your collection and even find rare pins. What could a collector want more?

Where to Find More Pins

So you've cottoned on to the wonderful world of baseball pin collecting and now you're hooked. You've got the passion, and it's time to kickstart your own hobby, collecting pin after pin from your favorite teams. Or maybe you already have a collection, and you're just looking to expand.

Whatever your motivation, you'll want a working knowledge of where to get pins, and where to take the ones you do have to trade them.

At the Games Themselves

A love of baseball pins often starts in the stands at actual baseball games. You're likely to spend a fair amount of time watching your local team play baseball games, either at home or away.

This is a perfect opportunity to meet other collectors, and meeting other collectors is the best way there is to get trading. Ask around and see if there are any pin fanatics in the stands with you. You might be surprised by who you meet and how many trades you'll kick off in this manner.

As an added bonus, there's always the chance you'll jumpstart someone else's passion for pins in the process.

Events

Pin collectors often affectionately refer to themselves as "pinheads". Do your research and ask around for local postings about trading meetups.

These are specialized events where traders can start up or add to their collections, making connections in the process. It's an opportunity to meet people with your interests.

And knowing that everyone's there for the same reason makes starting conversations easier. You might even start your own smaller meetups with friends and collectors as a result.

Online

Collectors will also often trade pins on internet forums and auctions. Websites dedicate resources to connecting collectors with opportunities to find and sell pins. Social media channels, similarly, offer an expansive number of avenues in which to trade.

Get Your Pin Collection Started Today!

Whether you're an avid local baseball supporter or just wanting a piece of the collectible pie, anyone can start a pin collection. For more on these pins and the people who collect them, check out some of our other awesome blog content today!

 

Every baseball parent gets frustrated now and then. Make sure you know how to be a good and supportive Little League baseball parent.

Ever dealt with a crazy baseball parent? You know, the kind who yells from the bleachers, berates the coaches, and makes fun of the kids trying to have fun on the field?

Or, maybe you've gotten a bit too caught up in the competition yourself? Have you found yourself screaming from the stands, bad-mouthing your child's coaches, or raging against the umpire's call?

Whether you're dishing it out or taking it, Little League Parent Syndrome (LLPS) is a real thing. Seriously. Coined by psychologists, it describes the irrational way that some adults behave during youth sporting events.

LLPS dampens team spirits, places too much pressure on kids, and ruins what would otherwise be a fun learning experience. Let's stop LLPS dead in its tracks this season! Read on to find out more about how to be a good and supportive baseball parent.

It's Not All About Winning... Really!

Ten thousand youth athletes were asked to rank various aspects of athletic competition by importance. Do you know where "winning" ranked?

Number 10.

Turns out, most kids want to play organized sports so that they can hang out with friends and teammates. They like the confidence boost. And they enjoy the chance to learn something new.

But there's a flip side. The parents of these youth athletes were also asked to rank organized sports by benefits. Where did parents rank "winning"? As you may have guessed, winning came right at the top. The focus on triumphing at all costs is where the problem lies...

Kids have the wisdom and discernment to see baseball for what it is, an enjoyable experience. And baseball parents need to be brought around to this way of thinking. It only takes one parent exhibiting signs of LLPS to ruin the game for everyone.

Lighten Up! This Isn't About You...

So, what causes some parents to flip the switch on LLPS? Psychologists believe a mixture of factors could be at play. For one, some parents project themselves onto their children. They attempt to re-live their own baseball dreams through their kids.

Comparing your son or daughter to anybody, including yourself, is unfair and harmful. Instead, recognize your children as the independent, autonomous human beings that they are. Your kids have strengths and weaknesses all their own. They have their own interests and dreams, too. Never try to recapture a piece of your own youth through them.

Other parents heap unbearable pressure on their kids. They want baseball to "pay off" through a college scholarship, professional contract, or both. But what are the odds of actually earning a baseball scholarship? Or, a pro contract? They're right up there with picking the right lotto numbers.

So, start guessing...

That's not to say that little leaguers don't go on to play in the pros. But those who do have developed a serious love of the game. And they respect their teammates and sportsmanship. They're not the kids whose parents mortified them from the bleachers with violent rants.

Finally, there are those adults who measure their worth as a parent on how well their kids perform. The truth is, though, how well your kid plays ball is not a reflection on your parenting skills.

But you know what are indicators of effective parenting? Whether or not your kid behaves on the field, how well they participate, and if they can lose with grace.

How to Be a Better Baseball Parent

Every baseball parent gets frustrated now and then. After all, little league adds stress to your life. You have the gear to buy, practices to attend, and volunteering to do.

We've all witnessed what looks like coach favoritism or unfair ump calls at some point. We all want to make sure that we get our "money's worth" out of the season. When our team loses or our child becomes a benchwarmer, it's easy to feel disgruntled.

This is when it's important to ask yourself how you're giving back...

Are you actively volunteering with the league? Are you paying fees on time and making donations when needed? Are you modeling good behavior for your kids by following field rules and being respectful?

Instead of second-guessing every move your team's coaches are making, remember to thank them for volunteering their time. Learn to trust them and respect their decisions. After all, it's impossible to know what the strategy is let alone read a coach's mind from the bleachers.

Still feel like you have a better approach than your kid's current coaches? Then, why not become during a future season?

You'll soon realize that it's a tough, often a thankless job. But if you're in it for the love of the game, your reward will be the experience. Coaching little league puts the game back in perspective.

The Bottom Line

If you're irritated by something that is or isn't happening in your league, offer to lend a hand. Little leagues are notoriously understaffed and could use the extra help. Getting involved "behind the scenes" or as a coach will help you gain perspective.

How baseball parents behave directly impacts whether or not their children grow up to love the game. The baseball field should be a welcome place where kids build confidence, learn discipline, and work as a team. It should be a place for fun, experimentation, and growth.

Good parenting involves providing our kids with opportunities to try, fail, try again, and eventually succeed. It involves teaching them how to be patient, deal with disappointment, and develop self-reliance. Winning has very little to do with baseball in the large scheme of things.

Model the behavior you want to see in your kids from the bleachers, in the dugout, and on the field. Stop focusing on umpire calls, player positions, and the score. Instead, use baseball to teach important lessons about conduct, teamwork, and resilience.

After all, it's not about winning. It's about developing life skills and build self-esteem. It's about creating memories that last a lifetime.

Want to learn more about how to make this little league season more memorable than ever? We specialize in customized baseball pins to trade and collect. Shop our awesome selection now!

Hello Pin Traders! A Sports Trading Pin encapsulates the full identity of a team when you present at the tournaments. With limited real-estate on a sports trading pin, a question we often get from parents What details should you put on your sports trading pin design? As there is no right or wrong answer, we’ll look at what teams typically put on pins to give you a better idea heading into your pin design.

Team City (Region), Mascot (Logo) & Team Name:  This one is obvious; often the most prominent part of the pin is the Team Mascot or Logo, often centered between the City or Region name and the Team name which is depicted by the logo.

Edina Sting Baseball Trading Pin Design

State:  Although typically left off in a local or regional tournament, the home state of the team is typically next in prominence for a) Teams playing in a national tournament like Cooperstown or a World Series event or b) Teams playing in an out of state tournament where they are one of a few teams hailing from a certain state.

This is occasionally referenced with the state name or nickname written on the pin, but more often than not, the state is represent in in outline, either as part of the pin design or containing the other elements of the design. As pins are sized by the longer of length & width, it’s a good idea to avoid making a narrow state the entire pin outline. Often with a state like New Jersey or Delaware we’ll incorporate the state outline as part of the design but not make it the entire outline.

California Sports Trading Pin Styles

Player Identifiers: Including the Player’s Numbers, Names, or both is quite common, and in my honest opinion, recommended. The look on a kids face when he or she sees their identifier on a trading pin is priceless. Numbers are the easiest to include, often placed on baseballs surrounding the pin design, but an easy way to stand out is to a less common holder like gloves, batting helmets, or bats. Names can give even more meaning, but be aware they introduce intricacy. Although Numbers are either one or two digits, names can vary in length and force a compromise in size to other design elements or require a larger pin size to achieve a legible final product.

The Year: Team names are recycled within organizations so a good idea to put the current year on the pin. For kids that trade multiple years this also helps identity pins in the future.

BPR Lightning Baseball Trading Pin Design

Age Group: If playing in a tournament hosting multiple age groups its typical for teams to put their age group on the pin, like 12U, 10U. This is almost always left off for tournaments like Cooperstown where are teams are the same age group.

Baseball Trading Pin Age Group

Baseball Themes: It’s common for team logo’s to incorporate a baseball element like a bat or a ball, but even still many teams include baseball themes like a Diamond or full field, a bat or crossed bats, a baseball or glove, home plate or a base, sometimes even a scoreboard.

trading pin,pin design,sports trading pin
trading pin,pin design,sports trading pin

Region Identifiers: Often when team logo’s are non-existent or less prominent, region identifiers are included. Some examples: a team from the Bay Area including the golden gate bridge, a team from New York with an outline of lady liberty or the Empire State building, or a team from the coast having sand & palm tree. Don’t be afraid to include local flavor if you’re from a small town, something less known can be a great ice breaker at trading time.

Region Sports Trading Pin Identifiers

Upgrades: Pins in the ‘popular’ threshold typically include upgrades. Most pins will include 1-2 or more of: Glitter, Crystals, Glow Enamel, Blinkers, or a second pin that slides, spins, or dangles (called sliders, spinners, and danglers). Make sure to check our article on Maximizing Tradability to see how upgrades can actually save you money!

Baseball Trading Pin Upgrade Styles

To find out more about these pins, click the red ‘Get Pricing Now’ button below, or give us a call at 888-998-1746 to get started on your teams design today!

Baseball Trading Pins Pricing
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