By MICHAEL BOYLAN
Sports Editor

Sports has become a big business in America and as its popularity has risen, sports collectibles have become increasingly popular and profitable as well.

Baseball cards have gone from something holding a stick of gum in place to a form of supplemental income. The National Sports Collectors Convention is coming to offer its wares to the people of Atlanta July 22-25.

This will be the convention's 20th year, offering everything from figurines to autographed equipment. In addition to the 1,000 dealer booths, celebrity autograph guests will be in attendance during the show.

Atlanta will serve as the introduction for the first international edition of the “Bammers.” These bears will include Larry Walker (Canada) Mark McGwire (U.S.A.), Sammy Sosa (Dominican Republic), Chan Ho Park (S. Korea), Juan Gonzalez (Puerto Rico), and Andruw Jones (Curacao). This set of six will be limited to 6,000 and will bear the 20th National logo on the sleeve making it a unique collectible.

Seven women who participated in the All American Girls Professional Baseball league in the 1940s and 1950s will be on hand to sign autographs, talk baseball and pose for pictures. The seven women are Sophie Kurys and Pepper Paire from the Racine Belles, Nickie Fox and Dottie Kamenshek of the Rockford Peaches, Marge Wenzell of the South Bend Blue Sox, Lefty Hohlmayer of the Kenosha Comets, and Dollie Niemic Konwinski of the Grand Rapid Chicks. As a special offer, there will be an All American Baseball Bear set and individual Bean Bears (limited to 500) available for sale.

This is the first time in seven years that the National Sports Collector Convention has come to Atlanta. The expo will be at the Georgia World Congress Center, noon to 8 p.m. Thursday, noon to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10 but will be free to children under 15 on Thursday. To purchse tickets, call 404-249-6400.

.

Back to the Top of the PageBack to the Sports Home Page