PSA Graded Baseballs

We buy a lot of Graded Sports Cards and Memorabilia. But did you know we also buy PSA Graded Baseballs? Yep! That’s right. We BUY Graded Baseballs. PSA. BGS (Beckett), and Steiner.

Please note, you cannot submit just any random baseballs for grading. With any grading company, all baseballs submitted to be graded must be autographed. Graded baseballs are different from graded collectibles in that the baseball itself receives a grade. In addition to the autograph. Whereas with collectibles, just the autograph is graded or authenticated.

PSA Graded Baseballs: The Process

1. Examination of the Autograph: The autograph is authenticated and then given a score. Scores range from 1- 10 based on the quality of the signature.
2. Examination of the Baseball: Next, the baseball is examined. It is given an overall grade on the condition of the baseball. Sans the autograph. Scores range from 1-10
3. Overall Grade: The average of the Autograph Grade and the Baseball Grade is given. Thus, giving you an overall grade of your baseball.

Example:

Autograph Grade + Baseball Graded = Score / 2 = Overall Grade

• Autograph = 9
• Baseball = 7
• Total = 16
• Divide By 2 to get the Average = 8 Overall Score

How Do I Know What Each Score Is?

PSA will give you all three grades. They issue a Certificate of Authenticity. The COA (Certificate of Authenticity) includes a serial number, as well as the grades.

PSA Autograph Baseball Grading Guide

Sweet Spot vs. Side Panel

Many collectors prefer the Sweet Spot over the Side Panel. However, PSA does not factor which spot is autographed into the grading of the autograph as far as WHERE the autograph is. But what does factor in regarding placement is:

If the autograph is in a poor location for display it will affect the scoring. For instance, it is signed in the sweet spot BUT is severely off center. Whether it be top to bottom or side to side. It can create a lack of eye appeal. Which will cause a lower grade.

Restoration/Enhancement

If a baseball has been enhanced or restored in any way, it cannot be graded. The autograph can be authenticated; however, no grade will be assigned.

Retracing:

There are instances of retracing. While uncommon, they do exist. An instance would be:

Baseball is being autographed but the pen ran out of ink midway. Signer retraces their signature with a new pen.

This is the only instance in which PSA would grade a retraced autograph. If PSA deems it to be retraced by any other person other than the signer, it will not be graded.

It should be noted that original signer retraced autographs will not be graded any higher than an “8”. See GRADING SCALE. The retracing MUST be limited to no greater than 5-10% of the autograph.

Personalized vs. Non-Personalized:

PSA does not factor in the inscriptions or notations as separate entities. The emphasis is on the signature AND eye appeal. In an instance of a great signature but sloppy inscription, a slightly lower grade could be given based on the overall eye appeal of the writing. however, if the inscription is like quality to the signature, it will receive an appropriate grading.

For more FACTORS and GUIDELINES – Click Here!

PSA Graded Baseballs

Grading Standards

GEM – MINT 10	Virtually a Perfect Ball. Bold stamping in Pre-printed area (if exists). Strong color. Baseballs must be a strong, crisp white color. However, a slightly off-white color could possibly be accepted. Zero scuffs, scratching along the surface. A very small defect may be present. But only as a result of a minor marking from manufacturing process or a slight defect in the pre-printed area of the ball that does not affect the overall appearance of the ball. Shellacked baseballs cannot qualify as a Gem-Mint 10. No matter how small the shellacking is. Balls that contain excess writing by someone other than original signer cannot qualify as a Gem-Mint 10.
MINT 9	Beyond Excellent Condition Baseball. May exhibit one or two of the following: Slight Off-White or Light Cream (Vintage) color with minimal fading, foxing in the pre-printed area. Cannot affect the overall eye appeal. A minor scratch or scruff that is limited to a small area. It must not affect the overall presentation of the ball. Minute discoloration that is not an overall major eye appeal deterrent. Shellacked baseballs cannot qualify as a Mint 9. No matter how small the shellacking is. Balls that contain excess writing by someone other than original signer cannot qualify as a Mint 9.
NM-MT 8	Upon first glance it appears to be a Mint 9; however, upon closer inspection it may exhibit one or more of the following: Slight defects in the pre-printed area. But the entire pre-printed area must be legible to the naked eye. Very small notation/writing by anyone other than the original signer may be present but does not affect the overall eye-appeal of the ball. Slight discoloration, scruffing, or scratching may be allowable. However, it must be minute. Shellacked baseballs cannot qualify as a NM-MT 8. No matter how small the shellacking is. It should be noted that writing that is close or on the autograph itself or writing that creates an eyesore due to the color of the ink may lower the score.
NM 7	Still a superb ball; however, it may have one or more of the following defects: Light shellacking but the overall coloration must remain. I.e. off-white or cream-color (vintage) must remain even. May show minor wear in the pre-printed area; however, 90% of the area must be legible to the naked eye. Small spots of scuffing, scratching, discoloration, or additional writing may possible be allowed as long as the eye-appeal is not affected. Defects at most can only be tolerable and remain limited. Such as: minor toning or sports which include soiling may be acceptable if the remainder of the ball is ideal and the placement of said defects do not hinder the autograph area.
EX-MT 6	Presentable Ball. May be a cream color throughout. As well as, possible defects as: May show minor wear in the pre-printed area; however, 75% of the area must be legible to the naked eye. Small spots of scuffing, scratching, discoloration, or additional writing may possible be allowed as long as the eye-appeal is not affected. Advanced focus issues may be acceptable if rest of the ball is strong.
EX 5	Some defects mentioned in the EX-MT 6 are beginning to intrude on the overall eye appeal more significantly. Overall toning is advanced. A cream or yellow coloration is allowable. Aging is becoming apparent. Possibly showing fading, discoloration, or soiling. May show wear in the pre-printed area; however, 50% of the area must be legible to the naked eye. If the ball is shellacked, minor cracking may be acceptable as long as it does not affect the autograph.
VG-EX 4	More advanced defects than in an EX 5. Mainly a noticeable change in the overall coloration of the ball. Medium to dark tone may be acceptable if the toning is consistent throughout. May show wear in the pre-printed area; however, 25% of the area must be legible for the authenticator to validate original content. As well as, may show noticeable writing not by original signer. According to PSA, an example would be, “The Sultan of Swat, Babe Ruth, New York Yankees, 1929”
VG 3	Noticeable wear throughout the ball. Advanced cracking on shellacked balls but overall coating is intact. Autograph may be scuffed, as well as other areas of the ball. Toning is darkening. With advanced stages of fading, soiling, or discoloration.
GOOD 2	Significant flaws throughout.May show wear in the pre-printed area of up to 90%. Virtually no surface left on the ball due to handling or wearing away. Panels may have come apart or peeled away. Exposing inner stitching. All original areas of the ball; however, must still remain intact – even if they are severely worn at this point. Major toning and staining have welcomed the ball to the “Dark Zone”. Shellacking may be missing due to severe cracking but those portions missing must not affect the overall larger areas of the ball. Actual pieces of the ball must be intact.
PR – FR 1	Fair or Poor Condition. Extreme loss in eye appeal with may condition flaws. Including: Extreme cracking of shellacked balls. Noticeable surface portion coatings are removed. Extreme toning or discoloration hindering deciphering of the autograph. Pre-printed area may be entirely gone due to wear, scuffing, scratching, etc. Writing may be all over the ball not consistent with the original signer. Pieces beyond normal wear and tear may be missing. Laces unraveled or panels peeled or removed.

**Most grades will have a whole grade. However, there are cases where the overall grade may fall into a half-grade. For instance, if the autograph is a “10” and the ball is a “9” = the overall grade would then be Mint 9.5. Please refer to the Baseball Grading Guide for a detailed explanation. Learn more about the PSA Grading Standards here.

PSA Graded Baseballs – Submission Process

SUBMISSION FORM:	GET SUBMISSION PRICING:	CALCULATE SHIPPING:	PACKAGE GUIDELINES:
Print & Fill Out	Determine the autograph Submission Price. Look Up By Last Name	Return Shipping Costs.	The How To’s for making sure your submission arrives safe and secure.
CLICK TO PRINT	PRICING GUIDE	SHIPPING COSTS	GUIDELINES

Remember – Vermillion Enterprises: We BUY PSA Graded Baseballs. Bring yours in today for a fair valuation.

Live in or near Spring Hill FL, Lutz FL, New Port Richey FL, Hudson FL, Crystal River FL, Inverness FL, Brooksville FL or surrounding counties – Pinellas, Hillsborough, Citrus, stop in and say hi! We are interested in buy -ing your PSA Graded Baseballs.

We BUY PSA Graded Baseballs!

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