It’s that time of year again, to take stock of the year just passed and look forward with hope to the new one just approaching. As I do every year at this time, I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who visits these pages and gets some value from viewing my collection. I hear from a few of you occasionally and it’s always appreciated. I hope all of my fellow collectors have a safe holiday season full of love and good cheer!
Before we look back I want to look forward: 2026 will mark the 10th year of the online museum. Back in September of 2016 I decided I needed a handy reference to my collection so I could stop inadvertently buying duplicates of balls I already had. Since then it’s grown well beyond that singular intent into a reference used by other collectors as well as a national autograph authentication company, and it inspired my book, The Collector’s Guide to Minor League Baseballs, still available here. Thank you one and all for your attention and interest!
2025 Year In Review
While we added “only” 55 balls this year, as compared to 73 in 2024, three of those date to the 1930s, among the oldest pieces in the collection.
1934 Southern Association
1934 Pacific Coast League. Yes I need better pics!
1938 Eastern League
The 1940s were represented by seven acquisitions, listed below:
- Early 1940s Southern Association
- 1940s Tobacco State League
- 1940 American Association
- 1947 American Association
- 1948 American Association
- 1949 American Association
- 1949 Western Association
On the independent front, we had a slew of interesting baseballs, and the only new balls across all of the minor leagues.
- The Atlantic League unveiled new regular-season gamers with QR codes linking to local sponsors or ballpark promotions. Returning to an Atlantic League tradition not seen since 2018, each team used a unique ball for home games.
- The Pecos League, which has featured two All-Star Games for the past few years, one for each division, commissioned game balls for the first time for each game.
Mountain Division
Pacific Division
- Finally, we added a ball from the Big South League, an independent circuit from the 1990s indy boom that only lasted two seasons. It’s one of the few pro balls made by Worth.
1996-1997 Big South League
All told it was another great year at the Museum! I will close with another thank you to those of you who visit the site and get some enjoyment and information from it. I love hearing from you all so don’t be shy. May you have a shiny, prosperous 2026!
-Tony Baseballs