Collectors will have a ball at FanFest

(John Grupp) - Admission to the All-Star FanFest is $20 for adults, $15 for children and, for someone who covets old Babe Ruth bats, somewhere around $200,000.

Tucked among the computer-run batting cages, pitching machines and interactive displays at the sprawling All-Star FanFest stands the most time-tested tradition of baseball fans -- memorabilia.

Nearly 30 dealers from around the nation have descended on the David L. Lawrence Convention Center for the All-Star FanFest, which begins today and runs through Tuesday.

In a 400,000-square-foot interactive baseball theme park loaded with activity centers, home run derbys, FanFest bullpens and cyber ballparks, they will offer fans a chance to appreciate classic baseball gear, cards, autographs and figurines.

The Hall of Fame museum includes everything from a 1960 Ted Williams jersey to the bat Pirate Kiki Cuyler used to hit his winning double off Walter Johnson in Game 7 of the 1925 World Series.

"Memorabilia is such a big part of the game," said Morgan Littlefield, Major League Baseball's director of special events (and no relation to Pirates general manager David Littlefield). "It's pretty amazing."

The FanFest, billed as an interactive baseball theme park, also includes the second annual MLB All-Star FanFest Live Auction, which features hundreds of items ranging from an oversized Dick Groat photo to an autographed bat that Babe Ruth used to hit his 59th home run in 1921.

Also part of the Live Auction is Ruth's home run baseball from the first All-Star Game, in 1933. The ball, valued at $75,000-$125,000, sits in a glass case, surrounded by hundreds of items.

"There are a lot of things here that would definitely qualify as Hall-of-Fame caliber," said Cheryl Goyda of Exton-based Hunt Auctions. "There are really pristine and exceptional pieces."

The Live Auction, with 572 items expected to draw between $1.5-1.7 million, will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday. A silent auction for less-expensive items will be held today through Monday, with the final bids at 6 p.m.

For fans who can't afford an autographed Roberto Clemente baseball, the Collector's Showcase offers more options. Vendors were busy setting up their displays Thursday afternoon.

"We're ready," said Denton Haynes, who along with Dan Graulich, owns All-Star Baseball Collectibles in Yarmouth, Maine.

This is the seventh Major League All-Star Game for Haynes and Graulich, who travel around the country doing about 20 shows a year.

Although it is a mandate for vendors that at least 75 percent of their memorabilia be baseball-oriented, many realize what this region's first love is. Steelers items dominated the front table at All-Star Baseball's booth.

"We brought as much Steelers items as we have," Haynes said. "You're going to see baseball fans show up who are also Steelers fans. Even if they like the Pirates, they are probably still Steeler fans, too."

Haynes and Graulich are Clarion University graduates. They say most of their competitors underestimate the Steelers' allure in the area. They noted that last year Detroit Pistons collectibles outsold Tigers items by a large margin.

"Of the 30 booths here, probably 20 of the guys do the All-Star Game every year," Haynes said. "But if they haven't been to Pittsburgh, they don't know how Steeler-crazy this place is. You can read about it and hear, 'Oh, they are big on Steelers.' They have no idea."