Card of the Day: Ron Lancaster 1972 O-Pee-Chee CFL #79

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2015 Central PA Sports Card Show Review

Hey!  Look at this!  Its a card show!  These are becoming rare at least where I live.  Outside of the annual Ephrata Lions Club Sports Card Show and National Sports Collectors Convention, there really aren’t that many shows worth going to anymore.  Last month I heard about the Central PA Sports Card Show from a dealer I met in Ephrata – VSM Sports Card Outlet.  It was held at the Lancaster Host Resort.  Judging by the flyer, it looked like it might be a decent show.  So I decided to give it a try.

I wasn’t sure what to expect, but there was a good supply of vendors.  A lot more than what I thought was going to be there.  Before making any purchases I like to make my way around the whole show.  There was a good mixture of vintage and modern cards.  Neither was too dominant.  All of the dealers were quite friendly and helpful too.  I’m a Harry Kalas collector, and that list of cards I need is small.  Not only is it small, but the cards are difficult to locate.  The only Harry Kalas item I saw all day was a duel bobblehead of Harry and Richie Ashburn, which I already own.  At one time I couldn’t find that bobblehead at all.  Now I see it all the time.

VSM Sports Card Outlet was where I spent most of my time and money.  In addition to high-end cards under glass cases, they had autographs and relics divided up in boxes.  I spent a chunk of time flipping through the Phillies section, but didn’t come up with anything I need.  But the fun of it is not knowing what you might find.  They also had the best supply of newer boxes.  I bought two boxes of 2015 Topps Five Star Baseball.

Throughout the day they had a steady run of autograph guests.  Guests included Sean Landeta, Lenny Moore, Lydell Mitchell, Brian Propp, and Bob “The Hound” Kelly.  The prices were very reasonable.  Sean Landeta was free with the $5.00 price of admission.  Lenny Moore was only $25.00 (20.00 for the autograph, and $5.00 for the photo op).  Both guys were really nice and happy to interact with their fans.  After signing my football, Sean Landeta gave me an autograph photo for free too.

The only negative part of the day really didn’t have to do with the show itself.  You had to walk down a few steps in order to get onto the show floor.  I don’t use steps because I’m in a wheelchair.  Luckily there was a ramp right next to the steps, but they had a table blocking it.  The table was there so people wouldn’t go down the ramp and skip out of paying the admission fee.  It was a little inconvenient having to move the table each time I went in and out of the show.

Another issue was the bathroom.  The Lancaster Host Resort really didn’t have a bathroom I could use.  The bathroom most people were using was nothing my wheelchair could even fit into.  According to the Lancaster Host Resort, I would’ve needed to hunt somebody down for a key and hop on a lift in order to get to the bathroom I had the best chance at using.  Even that one wasn’t the best.  Its an old hotel, and I guess that should be expected.

Overall it was a pretty nice show.  I would say that its about the same size as the Ephrata Lions Club Sports Card Show, maybe a little smaller or bigger.  The dealers were spread out a lot more here which can make it look bigger.  If they decide to have this show again next year, I’ll probably check it out as long as the autograph guests are different.

Baltimore Colts halfback and 1975 Hall of Fame inductee Lenny Moore

Retired punter Sean Landeta

Sean Landeta had a very long career as a player (’83-’06).  This is one of the longest inscriptions I’ve ever received during an autograph signing.

Landeta’s rings from Super Bowl XXI and XXV

Lancaster Barnstormers vs. Bridgeport Bluefish – 5/30/15

Every summer I try and get to a handful of minor league games.  Specifically on days they’re giving out bobbleheads.  This year I’ve got tickets for the Williamsport Crosscutters, Harrisburg Senators, State College Spikes, and the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs.  On the day I go see the Iron Pigs they aren’t giving out bobbleheads, but I’ve never been to Coca-Cola Park before.  So that will be a whole new experience for me.

The Lancaster Barnstormers give out great bobbleheads.  They aren’t always of players, managers, and/or mascots related to the team either.  Many times their bobbleheads focus on historical or famous individuals from the Lancaster area.  On Saturday, May 30th the Barnstormers gave out bobbleheads of Robert Fulton to the first 1,000 fans.

Robert Fulton was born in Little Britain, PA which is located in the southern portion of Lancaster.  He is credited with inventing the first commercially successful steamboat called Clermont.  Fulton was also commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte to design the Nautilus, which was one of the first usable submarines in history.  Early torpedoes used by the British Royal Navy were another invention of his.

The Barnstormers have two more bobblehead nights this year.  On July 18th they will be giving out bobbleheads of golfer Jim Furyk.  Johnny Weir bobbleheads will be given out on July 31st.  While I was there, I picked up a new pin for my collection too.  They should be getting a few more new pins in later this season.  Lancaster won 10-0 that night.

Cylo!

Barnstormers vs. Skeeters – Bobbleheads, Tracy McGrady, & Alpacas

Baseball, bobbleheads, alpacas, and Tracy McGrady.  This sounds like the opening scene to The Hangover.  Oh no.  Its happened again!

The Lancaster Barnstormers are celebrating their 10th season this year.  On Saturday, May 31st, they were taking on the Sugar Land Skeeters.  The Barnstormers won 5-3.  Picked myself up a new 10th anniversary t-shirt, plus a lanyard.  I’m not scheduled to attend anymore minor league games until the end of August.  The State College Spikes are giving away a bobblehead of James Franklin on 8/28.  Then the Williamsport Crosscutters are having an Andrew McCutchen bobblehead night on 8/29.  Back-to-back bobblehead nights!

The first 1,000 fans through the gate received a bobblehead of J.P. McCaskey.  The Barnstormers are known for making bobbleheads of historic figures from Lancaster.

7x NBA All-Star Tracy McGrady retired from basketball last year, but signed a deal to pitch for the Sugar Land Skeeters.  He was in the house, but not scheduled to pitch.

Anyone remember Phillies prospect Greg Golson?  I think I still have an autograph of his from ’04 Bowman Chrome.  He’s bounced around from a bunch of teams, and is currently playing for Lancaster.

Koby Clemons.  Bet you can’t guess who his dad is?

Delwyn Young.

For some crazy reason there were two alpacas outside the stadium.

The 2nd Annual LeSean McCoy Celebrity Softball Game

Over the weekend I attended the 2nd annual LeSean McCoy Celebrity Softball Game at Clipper Magazine Stadium in Lancaster.  This charity game was a fundraiser for McCoy’s foundation that supports people with ALS.  The gates opened at 5:00 p.m., there was a home run derby at 6:00 p.m., and then a seven inning softball game at 7:00 p.m.  Some of the celebrities included LeSean McCoy, Jeremy Maclin, Brent Celek, Jason Avant, B.J. Cunningham, Jamar Chaney, Torrey Smith, Dion Lewis, Devon Still, Josh Evens, and Kevin Ogletree.  Even Drew Rosenhaus, the owner of the Miami-based sports agency Rosenhaus Sports came to play.  The following players were schedule to participate, but didn’t show up: Ray Rice, Darrelle Revis, Plaxico Burress, Dominique Rogers-Cromartie, Mike Wallace, Marques Colston, Jared Odrick, DeSean Jackson, and Michael Vick.

It came down to LeSean McCoy and Torrey Smith in the home run derby, but McCoy walked away with the trophy.  The softball game was filled with a ton of fun errors, and I believe the two teams had over 60 combined hits.  In the end I’m sure a lot of money was raised for a good cause, but leave it up to Eagles fans to break into a fight during a charity softball game.

Eagles running back LeSean McCoy

Renowned sports agent Drew Rosenhaus (left) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith (right)

Rosenhaus looks to be working on his next deal.  He’s probably checking to see is DeSean Jackson has paid his bill yet 🙂 Maybe that’s why Jackson wasn’t there.

Torrey Smith has a few laughs with fans

Smith signing some autographs

Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin gets his turn at the plate

McCoy swings!

Pop-up!

Lancaster Barnstormers vs. Road Warriors – 6/11/11

Clipper Magazine Stadium is one of the nicest minor league ballparks.  Last night I went down to watch the Lancaster Barnstormers take on the Road Warriors.  Lancaster won 7-5 and only played six innings due to rain.  This park has some of the best food.  If you go, I highly recommend getting the chicken fingers and fries.  They are the best!

Before finding the seats, I went in the gift shop and picked-up three new pins for my collection.  This year’s team set isn’t out yet.  They aren’t expecting them until August.

The starting pitcher for Lancaster was Justin Segal.  He was fun to watch pitch because he has a unique delivery to the plate.

The Barnstormers are in the Independent League along with the Camden Riversharks and Long Island Ducks.  Former Phillies third baseman and 2008 World Series Champion Pedro Feliz plays for the Riversharks.  Lew Ford, former outfielder for the Twins plays for the Ducks.  Just in case anyone wondered where those two have been.

PHOTOS: Lancaster Barnstormers vs. Somerset Patriots

Last night I took a drive down to Lancaster to see the Barnstormers take on the Somerset Patriots.  As you can see, Lancaster lost 3-2.  Clipper Magazine Stadium has to have the best food out of any stadium I’ve been to this summer.  I picked up a 2010 Team Set,’09 Update Set, and of coarse a new pin for my collection.  The first 1,500 fans 16 and older received a James Buchanan bobblehead.  Buchanan is the only Pennsylvania-born President and lived in Lancaster.

Somerset Patriots Manager, Sparky Lyle