Event Will Take Place on July 9
The hobby will be taking center stage at the major league level.
When the Milwaukee Brewers host the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 9, it will be Trading Card Night at American Family Field in Milwaukee. Prior to the game, there will be a card show located in the upper concourse.
This is the first event of its kind during a game for the Brewers, and possibly for all MLB teams. Annually, there is a card show at Fenway Park in Boston, but that is held during the offseason.
Izzy Lugo, Brewers director, experimental marketing, was interested in integrating two areas that naturally go together with trading cards and Major League Baseball.
“For the fans that got into baseball cards that have left or just sports cards in general, we want to let people know that this hobby hasn’t gone away and there is a huge following with it,” Lugo said. “We’re trying to get the word out as much as possible about that.”
Game Giveaways
Anyone who buys a ticket to the game will have access to the card show. Those interested in receiving a Brewers trading card folio will need to purchase a special theme night ticket.
The binder, which holds about 400 cards, is a nice perk for young collectors, noted Lugo.
“What I recommend for the people that have binders already or have a ton of storage solutions and maybe aren’t interested in the binder, just get a ticket,” Lugo said. “Come and enjoy the experience.”
Gates will open 90 minutes prior to the first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. The first 30,000 fans will also be handed a Brewers team trading card pack when they enter the stadium.
Fans that purchase a theme night package will get a redemption ticket in their MLB Ballpark app. That ticket will be scanned at the redemption site — which is located at Terrace level in Section 406. Once a fan has received their binder, they can head to the card show in the concourse directly adjacent to the redemption site.
“It’s a massive, massive area. It’s probably the biggest area we can do an activation or a show like this,” Lugo said. “I wouldn’t want to put in on the field level, the Loge level, it’s not doing it justice. This way we’re all in one spot, and we’re having a good time. There’s no bumping into tables and stuff like that.”
Dealers, Breakers & a Podcast
Lugo said there should be 20 tables set up. About eight or nine card shops along with three to four breaking companies will be on location. SlabStox is planning on conducting a live podcast as well.
Milwaukee’s oldest card shop, Name That Card Sportscards, will be one of the dealers. Owner Rick D’Amore’s store is just a 10-minute drive from the Brewers’ home park.
“He’s been around, seen the peaks and the valleys,” Lugo said. “He’s coming to throw out the first pitch for the first time ever. It’s going to be an incredible experience.”
The show will be heavily sports card based, with some TCG and magic also being available. Lugo expects a variety of cards and sports for fans and collectors of all ages.
Trading Card Night will also give fans an opportunity to acquire their own trading card and show dealers will have giveaways for kids.
“It’s an educational opportunity first and foremost for kids that are coming through, seeing what they have,” Lugo said. “We’re allowing kids to bring in their binders to show off their collections with each other and trade.”
The combination of having a card show going on during an MLB game could be the best of both worlds for any card collector.
“I think the coolest part is when pregame is still going on, you can walk just 10 paces away from the card show and go see BP going on,” Lugo said. “In regard to the atmosphere itself, it’s going to be fun. It’s going to be lively.”
