Topps Creates Special Bowman Chrome Refractors For The 2016 National Sports Collectors Convention

The corporate area during the National Sports Collectors Convention is always a busy place.  At least that’s what I’ve experienced during the five Nationals I’ve attended.  Of all the companies setup, I think Topps is one of the better run and more active booths.

Topps knows how to do promotional cards the right way.  Creating special cards that can be integrated into an already successful existing product is the best way to go.  For the last few years, Topps stuck with making National-exclusive Allen & Ginter cards.  Before that, they also touched on special Gypsy Queen, Bowman Platinum, and Heritage cards too.  In 2010, I remember it being a battle to obtain that Stephen Strasburg National-exclusive Topps Heritage rookie.

Over on the Topps blog, they recently announced their wrapper redemption plans for the 2016 National.  They’re going with commemorative “National” refractors all designed to look like 2016 Bowman Chrome.  You can see the entire checklist here.  You’ll find plenty of young talent within this set, but prospects and rookies aren’t the only thing Topps included.  Current stars and retired legends are in here too.  Its uncommon to see someone like Babe Ruth in a set reserved for many players who haven’t even made their MLB debut yet.  Randomly inserted parallels and autographs will be found.

According to Topps, it sounds like a lot of the qualifying products for their wrapper redemption program will be some of the more affordable ones.  This way more collectors can participate.  But I bet if you walked over with a box of Bowman Inception or another high-end 2016 baseball product you’d still be eligible for some promo packs considering the cost is much more.  I’d ask before doing so though.

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OYO Sportstoys Creates Exclusive Minifigure For The 34th National

OYO Sportstoys has been busy.  During the All-Star FanFest they unveiled their new Field Sets and blind packs.  Now they’re moving on to the 2013 National Sports Collectors Convention.  If you’re attending The National, be sure to stop by booth #670.  Each day they will be giving away 100 (50 kids and 50 adults) Special Edition OYO minifigures that commemorate this year’s NSCC.

In addition, Thursday-Sunday between 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., OYO will run one-half hour sessions for kids to build an OYO field.  There are 12 spots available per day.  OYO is providing 12 field sets and each participant will be invited to build and play with the field sets and OYO players.  All participants will also receive a bag of “goodies” from Never Enough Cards including sports card sets, packs and other items.  Extra OYO figures will be given out as prizes.  Kids may register in advance by sending an email to  OYONationalPromo@aol.com  to reserve a spot.  Parents should send an email including the child’s name, day and time they would like to participate and a contact phone number.

I couldn’t be happier to hear news like this.  Having your favorite sports figures turned into a minifigure that is completely compatible with other popular building products such as LEGOs is just awesome.  It doesn’t matter who you are, because I’m guessing that a majority of people played with toys like this when they were kids.  Being able to connect what you enjoy now to something from your childhood is great, and that’s exactly what these minifigures do.

One day I would like to see these minifigures reach the level of collectability that some of the LEGO issued ones have.  Just take a look at some of the insane prices the Comic-Con superhero minifigures are selling for.  As of right now, OYO Sportstoys makes minifigures for a wide array of baseball and football players.  Plus they make minifigures for all types of events such as the Super Bowl, Spring Training, and NFL Draft.  What I would like to see from them in the future are more limited editions and minifigure variations.

What’s up next for OYO fans?  Earlier this week OYO released this image which can only indicate they’re working on hockey minifigures next.