We’ve broken down the entire list of Rawlings Official Major League Commemorative Game Baseballs by team. Every ball that’s been used on the field is attributed to the team, or teams, that produced the ball or participated in the event. Consider this a running total. We’ll update the list as new baseballs are discovered and produced.

You can view the unofficial Master List of Rawlings Commemorative Major League Game Balls as well.

Below is a breakdown of each team’s official gamers. The intention is to help collectors seeking baseballs just for their favorite teams and players, as well as praise the teams with the most, and call out the worst. The totals:

1. New York Yankees (28)
2. Atlanta Braves (19)
3. St. Louis Cardinals (17)
4. Cleveland Indians, Arizona Diamondbacks (13)
5. Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros (12)
6. San Fransisco Giants (11)
7. New York Mets, San Diego Padres (10)
   
8. Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies (9)
9. Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim(8)
10. Florida Marlins, Texas Rangers (7)
    
11. Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland A’s, Seattle Mariners (6)
12. Cincinnati Reds, Minnesota Twins, Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays, Colorado Rockies (5)
13. Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals (3)
14. Montreal Expos, Washington Nationals (2)

UPDATED: The list of commemoratives by team is current through the end of the 2011 Major League Baseball Season.

As for the numbers, It should come as no surprise that the Yankees lead the way in Official Special Event and Commemorative Balls, and by a large margin. In addition to pure success on the field — playoff balls in the mid to late ’90s and World Series baseballs — the Bronx Bombers have also celebrated their past more than any other team. Is it a glutinous display of wealth, or a deserving tribute to the winningest, most successful team in the four major sports? Regardless, we’ve got to applaud any team that provides an opportunity for a special game ball. Which is why we must give an old Bronx cheer to…

The Kansas City Royals and Chicago Cubs. A lack of success is one thing, but there are plenty of perpetual losers with a fair share of commemorative game balls. The Royals and Cubs have no excuse (UPDATE: Tip of the Cap to the Royals for the 2011 Teams Unite for Joplin ball, which helped benefit victims of the devastating tornado in Joplin Mo. This still only brings them to three baseballs.)

Granted, neither team has received the post-20o4 All-Star Game Host bump, which guarantees at least four baseballs to the hosting team (All-Star Game, Home Run Derby, Home Run Derby Gold and All-Star Futures Game). We excuse the now defunct Montreal Expos and the newest team, the Nationals, although their stats could be combined. Also excused  are recent expansion teams, namely, the Colorado Rockies.

There is good news for some teams with lower totals. In the coming years, the Royals will host the next All-Star Game (2012), while the Mets (2013), Cubs (2014 – 100th Anniversary of Wrigley Field), Marlins (2015), Twins and Nationals have put in requests to host in the near future.

Below is the complete break down by team. Note that we did not include league-wide baseballs in individual team totals, such as Opening Day balls. The reason: We cannot verify that each team used a league-wide ball, and it’s also a special event that is in no way tied to a particular team. Additionally, canceled baseballs are excluded from team stats, but they’re noted below as some collectors may like to add them – if they can find them.

1. 1978 WS NYY (75th WS Logo) (1st Commemorative MLB Ball)
2. 1981 WS LAD
3. 1996 American League Mickey Mantle Game Ball (8/25/96)
4. 1996 AL Division Series Version 2 (TEX VS. NYY)
5. 1996 AL Ball – League Championship Series (BAL vs. NYY)
6. 1996 World Series (NO Commissioner Stamp) (NYY)
7. 1998 Joe Dimaggio Day (9/27/98)
8. 1998 American League ALDS (NYY vs. TEX, CLE vs. BOS)
9. 1998 American League ALCS (CLE vs. NYY)
10. 1998 World Series (NYY)
11. 1999 American League ALDS (NYY vs. TEX, CLE vs. BOS)
12. 1999 American League ALCS (NYY vs. BOS)
13. 1999 World Series (NYY)
14. 2000 World Series (NYY)
15. 2001 World Series (ARI)
16. 2001 World Series American Flag Ceremonial 1st Pitch
17. 2002 Reggie Jackson Day
18. 2003 Yankees 100th Anniversary Season
19. 2003 World Series (FLA)
20. 2004 Japan Opening Series (NYY vs. TB)
21. 2008 Yankee Stadium Final
22. 2008 All-Star Futures
23. 2008 Home Run Derby
24. 2008 Home Run Derby Gold
25. 2008 Home Run Derby Red
26. 2008 All-Star Game
27. 2009 Yankee Stadium Inaugural Season
28. 2009 World Series (NYY)

1. 1991 WS (MIN)
2. 1992 World Series (No commissioner stamp) (TOR)
3. 1995 World Series (ATL)
4. 1996 NL Division Series Version 2 (ATL vs. LAD)
5. 1996 NL Ball – League Championship Series (STL vs. ATL)
6. 1996 World Series (NO Commissioner Stamp) (NYY)
7. 1997 NL NLCS (FLA vs. ATL)
8. 1998 National League NLDS (ATL vs. CHC, HOU vs. SD)
9. 1998 National League NLCS (ATL vs. SD)
10. 1999 Hank Aaron 715th HR 25th Anniversary
11. 1999 National League NLDS (ATL vs. HOU, ARI vs. NYM)
12. 1999 National League NLCS (ATL VS. NYM)
13. 1999 World Series (NYY)
14. 2000 Month of the Americas – Spring Training “World Tour” (Venezuela: ATL vs. TB)
15. 2000 MLB Turner Field Edition All Star Ball
16. 2000 All-Star Futures Ball
17. 2000 Home Run Derby Ball
18. 2000 All-Star Game Baseball
19. 2011 Civil Rights Game PHI @ ATL (Same as 2010 STL @ CIN Ball)
    

1. 1982 WS (STL)
2. 1985 WS (KC)
3. 1987 WS (MIN)
4. 1996 NL Division Series 1 (SD vs. STL)
5. 1996 NL Ball – League Championship Series (STL vs. ATL)
6. 2004 World Series (BOS)
7. 2005 Busch Stadium Final Season (Final Home stand Ball)
8. 2006 Busch Stadium Inaugural Game
9. 2006 Busch Stadium Inaugural Season
10. 2006 World Series (STL)
11. 2009 All-Star Futures Game
12. 2009 Home Run Derby
13. 2009 Home Run Derby Gold
14. 2009 All-Star Game
15. 2010 Civil Rights Game (May 15th STL @ CIN)
16. 2011 Teams Unite for Joplin – KC vs. STL, June 17-20
17. 2011 World Series (STL)
    

1. 1981 All-Star Baseball
2. 1994 American League Cleveland Jacobs Field Inaugural Season Ball
3. 1995 World Series (ATL)
4. 1996 AL Division Series 1 (CLE vs. BAL)
5. 1997 AL Ball – ALCS (CLE vs. BAL)
6. 1997 All-Star Season Cleveland
7. 1997 All-Star Game Baseball
8. 1997 World Series (FLA)
9. 1998 American League ALDS (NYY vs. TEX, CLE vs. BOS)
10. 1998 American League ALCS (CLE vs. NYY)
11. 1999 American League ALDS (NYY vs. TEX, CLE vs. BOS)
12. 2000 Hall of Fame Game Arizona vs. Cleveland (Dated “Hall of Fame Game 2000″)
13. 2001 Month of the Americas – Spring Training “World Tour” (CLE vs. HOU in Venezuela)

1. 1998 Arizona Diamondbacks Opening Day Ball
2. 1999 National League NLDS (ATL vs. HOU, ARI vs. NYM)
3. 2000 Hall of Fame Game Arizona vs. Cleveland (Dated “Hall of Fame Game 2000″)
4. 2000 Month of the Americas – Spring Training “World Tour” (Hermosillo, Mexico ARI VS. LAA)
5. 2001 Month of the Americas – Spring Training “World Tour” (OAK vs. ARI in Hermosillo)
6. 2001 World Series American Flag Ceremonial 1st Pitch
7. 2001 World Series (ARI)
8. 2011 Spring Training Inaugural Season, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick (Used all spring by Diamondbacks & Rockies)
9. 2011 All-Star Futures Game
10. 2011 All-Star Home Run Derby Baseball
11. 2011 All-Star Home Run Derby Gold Baseball (Unused version)
12. 2011 All-Star Home-Run Derby Real 24K Gold Baseball (Actual Derby Ball)
    
13. 2011 All-Star Game Baseball

1. 1986 WS (NYM)
2. 1998 American League ALDS (NYY vs. TEX, CLE vs. BOS)
3. 1999 American League Fenway Park Edition All Star Ball
4. 1999 Home Run Derby
5. 1999 All-Star Game Baseball
6. 1999 American League ALDS (NYY vs. TEX, CLE vs. BOS)
7. 1999 American League ALCS (NYY vs. BOS)
8. 2000 Month of the Americas – Spring Training “World Tour” (BOS vs. HOU in Dominican Republic)
9. 2004 World Series (BOS)
10. 2005 Red Sox “2004 WS Champs” Opening Day Ball
11. 2007 World Series (Red Sox)
12. 2008 Opening Series Japan

1. 1986 All-Star Game Baseball
2. 1998 National League NLDS (ATL vs. CHC, HOU vs. SD)
3. 1999 Houston Astrodome’s Final Game Oct. 3, 1999 (35 Years 1965-1999)
4. 1999 National League NLDS (ATL vs. HOU, ARI vs. NYM)
5. 2000 Month of the Americas – Spring Training “World Tour” (BOS vs. HOU in Dominican Republic)
6. 2000 Houston Enron Field Inaugural Year Ball
7. 2001 Month of the Americas – Spring Training “World Tour” (CLE vs. HOU in Venezuela)
8. 2004 Serie De Primavera Ball (Spring Series) Marlins Astros
9. 2004 All-Star Futures
10. 2004 Home Run Derby
11. 2004 All-Star Game Baseball
12. 2005 World Series (CHI Sox)

1. 1984 All-Star Game Baseball
2. 1989 WS (OAK)
3. 1997 NL Ball Division Series (SF vs. FLA)
4. 1999 NL Final Series at Candlestick Park “Tell It Goodbye!” (September 28-30)
5. 2000 Pac Bell SF Inaugural Game
6. 2002 World Series (ANA)
7. 2007 All-Star Futures
8. 2007 Home Run Derby
9. 2007 Home Run Derby Gold
10. 2007 All-Star Game
11. 2010 World Series

1. 1986 WS (NYM)
2. 1996 Primera Serie – Monterrey, Mexico SD vs. NYM
3. 1999 National League NLDS (ATL vs. HOU, ARI vs. NYM)
4. 1999 National League NLCS (ATL VS. NYM)
5. 2000 Japan Opening Series Opening Day Ball (Cubs-Mets)
6. 2000 World Series (NYY)
7. 2003 Serie De Primavera Mets Dodgers (Spring Series)
8. 2008 Shea Stadium Final Season
9. 2009 Citi Bank Ballpark Inaugural Season
10. 2010 San Juan Series (FLA. vs. NYM)

1. 1984 WS (DET)
2. 1992 All-Star Game Baseball (1st Multi-Colored Laces)
3. 1996 Primera Serie – Monterrey, Mexico SD vs. NYM
4. 1996 NL Division Series 1 (SD vs. STL)
5. 1998 National League NLDS (ATL vs. CHC, HOU vs. SD)
6. 1998 National League NLCS (ATL vs. SD)
7. 1998 World Series (NYY)
8. 2001 Month of the Americas – Spring Training “World Tour” (S.D. vs. COL in Culiacan)
9. 2001 Tony Gwynn Final Game Ball
10. 2008 Opening Day China Series (Spring) (LAD vs. S.D.)

1. 1979 WS (PIT) (76th WS Logo)
2. 1983 WS (BAL)
3. 1993 All-Star Game Baseball
4. 1995 Cal Ripken Record Games Streak 2130, 2131 (Orange Laces)
5. 1996 AL Division Series 1 (CLE vs. BAL)
6. 1996 AL Ball – League Championship Series (BAL vs. NYY)
7. 1997 AL Ball Division Series (BAL vs. SEA)
8. 1997 AL Ball – ALCS (CLE vs. BAL)
9. 2001 MLB Cal Ripken Farewell Game

1. 1984 WS (DET)
2. 1999 AL Tiger Stadium Final Game
3. 2000 Comerica Park Inaugural GAME (Dated)
4. 2000 Comerica Park Inaugural Season (No date)
5. 2005 All-Star Futures Game
6. 2005 Home Run Derby
7. 2005 Home Run Derby Gold Ball
8. 2005 All-Star Game Ball
9. 2006 World Series (STL)

1. 1979 WS (PIT) (76th WS Logo)
2. 1994 All-Star Game Baseball
3. 2000 Three Rivers Stadium Ball
4. 2001 Month of the Americas – Spring Training “World Tour” (TB vs. PIT in Mexico City)
5. 2001 PNC Park Opening Day Ball
6. 2006 All-Star Futures Game
7. 2006 All-Star HR Derby
8. 2006 All-Star HR Derby Gold Ball
9. 2006 All-Star Game

1. 1980 WS (PHI)
2. 1983 WS (BAL)
3. 1993 World Series (TOR)
4. 1996 All-Star Game Baseball
5. 2003 Phillies Veteran Stadium Final Game
6. 2004 Phillies Citizen Bank Inaugural Season
7. 2008 World Series (PHI)
8. 2009 World Series (NYY)
9. 2011 Civil Rights Game PHI @ ATL (Same as 2010 STL @ CIN Ball)

1. 1978 WS NYY (75th WS Logo) (1st Commemorative World Series Ball)
2. 1980 All-Star Ball
3. 1981 WS LAD
4. 1988 WS (LAD)
5. 1996 NL Division Series Version 2 (ATL vs. LAD)
6. 2003 Serie De Primavera Mets Dodgers (Spring Series)
7. 2008 Opening Day China Series (Spring) (LAD vs. S.D.)
8. 2010 MLB Taiwan Games (LA Dodgers vs. CPBL, Exhibition Games)

1. 1989 All-Star Game Baseball
2. 2000 Month of the Americas – Spring Training “World Tour” ( Hermosillo, Mexico ARI VS. ANA)
3. 2002 World Series (LAA)
4. 2010 All-Star Futures Game
5. 2010 Home Run Derby
6. 2010 Home Run Derby Gold
7. 2010 All-Star Game
8. 2011 Angels 50th Anniversary Baseball
   

1. 1997 NL Ball Division Series (SF vs. FLA)
2. 1997 NL Ball – NLCS (FLA vs. ATL)
3. 1997 World Series (FLA)
4. 2003 World Series (FLA)
5. 2004 Serie De Primavera Ball (Spring Series) Marlins Astros
6. 2010 San Juan Series (FLA. vs. NYM)
   
7. 2011 Final Game for Florida Marlins, Sun Life Stadium – 9/28/2011

1. 1995 All-Star Game Baseball
2. 1996 AL Division Series Version 2 (TEX VS. NYY)
3. 1998 American League ALDS (NYY vs. TEX, CLE vs. BOS)
4. 1999 American League ALDS (NYY vs. TEX, CLE vs. BOS)
5. 2001 Opening Day San Juan Puerto Rico (TOR vs. TEX)
6. 2010 World Series (SF)
7. 2011 World Series (STL)

1. 1987 All-Star Game Baseball
2. 1988 WS (LAD)
3. 1989 WS (OAK)
4. 1990 WS (CIN)
5. 2001 Month of the Americas – Spring Training “World Tour” (OAK vs. ARI in Hermosillo)
6. 2008 Opening Series Japan (BOS vs. OAK)

1. 1983 All-Star Game Baseball (50th AS Game)
2. 1991 Comiskey Park Inaugural Season (1st Special Event Commemorative)
3. 2003 All-Star Futures Game
4. 2003 Home Run Derby
5. 2003 All-Star Game Baseball
6. 2005 World Series (CHI Sox)

1. 1982 WS (STL)
2. 2000 Milwaukee County Stadium Final Game Ball
3. 2001 Milwaukee Miller Park Opening Day Ball
4. 2002 All-Star Futures
5. 2002 Home Run Derby
6. 2002 All-Star Game

1. 1979 AS SEA (50TH AS Game) (1st Commemorative AS Ball)
2. 1997 AL Ball Division Series (BAL vs. SEA)
3. 1999 SafeCo Field Inaugural Game
4. 2001 All-Star Futures Game
5. 2001 Home Run Derby
6. 2001 All-Star Game Ball

1. 1991 All-Star Game Baseball
2. 1992 World Series (No commissioner stamp) (TOR)
3. 1993 World Series (TOR)
4. 2001 Opening Day San Juan Puerto Rico (TOR vs. TEX)
5. 2005 Toronto Rogers Center Opening Day Ball

1. 1988 All-Star Game Baseball
2. 1990 WS (CIN)
3. 2002 Cincinnati Reds Riverfront Stadium Final Game
4. 2003 Cincinnati Great American Ballpark Opening Day
5. 2010 Civil Rights Game (May 15th STL @ CIN)

1. 1998 NL All-Star Game Colorado Edition
2. 1998 All-Star Game Baseball
3. 2001 Month of the Americas – Spring Training “World Tour” (S.D. vs. COL in Culiacan)
4. 2007 World Series (Red Sox)
5. 2011 Spring Training Inaugural Season, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick (Used all spring by Diamondbacks & Rockies)

1. 1985 All-Star Game Baseball
2. 1987 WS (MIN)
3. 1991 WS (MIN)
4. 2009 HHH Metrodome Final season
5. 2010 Minnesota Target Field Inaugural Season

1. 1998 Tampa Bay Devil Rays Inaugural Season Baseball
2. 2000 Month of the Americas – Spring Training “World Tour” (Venezuela: ATL vs. TB)
3. 2001 Month of the Americas – Spring Training “World Tour” (TB vs. PIT in Mexico City)
4. 2004 Japan Opening Series (NYY vs. TB)
5. 2008 World Series (PHI)

1. 1990 All-Star Game Baseball
2. 1998 National League NLDS (ATL vs. CHC, HOU vs. SD)
3. 2000 Japan Opening Series Opening Day Ball (CHC vs. NYM)

1. 1980 WS (PHI)
2. 1985 WS (KC)
3. 2011 Teams Unite for Joplin – KC vs. STL, June 17-20

1. 1982 All-Star Game Baseball
2. 2004 Expos Puerto Rico Series Ball

1. 2005 Washington Nationals Inaugural Season
2. 2008 DC Park Inaugural Season

1. 2001 Opening Day Ball “2001” (NL Only)
2. 1997 NL Jackie Robinson 50th Anniversary (Opening Day)

1. 2001 100th Anniversary of American League (AL Only)
2. 1997 AL Jackie Robinson 50th Anniversary (Opening Day)

1. 2010 Opening Day (Ceremonial 1st Pitch)
2. 2009 Opening Day
3. 2008 Welcome Back Veterans July 4th
4. 2008 MLB Opening Day
5. 2007 MLB Jackie Robinson 60th Ann.
6. 2007 MLB Opening Day
7. 2006 MLB Opening Day
8. 2005 MLB Opening Day “April”
9. 2005 Jackie Robinson Day
10. 2004 Roberto Clemente Day Baseball (All MLB 9/21/04)
11. 2004 Opening Day Game Ball
12. 2002 Memorial Day American Flag Ball (1st Pitch Ball)
13. 2002 July 4th American Flag (1st Pitch Ball)
14. 2002 September 11th, 2002 American Flag (1st Pitch Ball)
15. 2002 Opening Day American Flag (1st Pitch Ball)
16. 2001 4th of July American Flag
17. 2000 4th of July American Flag Ball
18. 2000 Millennium Edition Inaugural Game Ball
    
19. 2000 Hall of Fame Game (“2000″ – Use Unknown)
    
20. 1990s Spring Training Official MLB Ball (Years Unknown)
21. 1986 Red-Stamped All-Star Game Ball (Use unconfirmed. Houston Astros hosted)
    

CANCELED, UNKNOWN OR PRACTICE-USED

1. 2007 Tampa Bay Rays Launch Party “November 8 2007″ (Used in 2008 Spring Training Games)
2. 2003 Japan Opening Series OAK vs. SEA (Unused / Canceled)
3. 2001 World Series Version 1 (Unused / Redesigned after 9/11)
4. 2001 MLB Cal Ripken Final Game (Unused / Postponed)
5. 2001 Tony Gwynn Final Game Version 2 (Use Unknown)
   
6. 2000 World Series “Subway Series” with NYM, NYY Logos added (Game use unknown, Used in Practice)
   
7. 1994 World Series (Unused / Strike-Ended Season)
   
8. 1992 World Series Version 1 – Faye Vincent Commissioner’s stamp (Unused / Replaced)

I will say after receiving the ball from the MLB.com Shop this past summer, I was pretty impressed with the entire package. I used a discount code the reduce the cost 20%, so that helped. But once I saw the presentation, and the ball itself, I decided it was worth the full cost for a one time purchase. Not looking forward to having to shell out $150 every year so hopefully this won’t become an annual ball, if it does maybe they can cut the cost in half somehow. Onto the good stuff:

The box within the shipping box. Gold Sport Collectibles, LLC on the label, but no Rawlings?

IMPORTANT... A card inserted with the purchase.

UNIQUENESS - One of a kind. The reverse of the card. Or maybe this is the front?

2011 Rawlings 24K Gold Leather Home Run Derby Baseball Certificate of Authenticity.

Glass Case with Wood Base. Did not know this was part of the deal - nice!

A closer look shows the mirror base and name plate.

League Panel

GOLD. Top panel.

24 Karat gold-infused leather sweet spot.

We’ve long hoped for more commemoratives recognizing stadium and team anniversaries, and it’s as though the marketing team for Major League Baseball is reading our minds.

For 2012, five baseballs have already been announced – all of which will be used throughout the season. They’ll recognize big milestones for five franchises. And there are plenty more to come. For now, we’ll keep this post quick, but update it as each new Official Rawlings Major League Baseball is released. We apologize for the photos, we’ll eventually replace them with larger files once we get these game balls in our collection.

Red Sox fans and all those attending games in Boston will be able to snag and purchase this game ball all season long at Fenway Park:

Rawlings Boston Red Sox Fenway Park 100th Anniversary Baseball

Dodgers fans and all those attending games in Los Angeles will have a chance to catch a foul ball with this amazing 50th Anniversary stadium logo!

Rawlings Dodger Stadium 50th Anniversary Baseball

The New York Mets and Houston Astros are both commemorating their 50th Season in Major League Baseball by using the following Official Gamers at home games all season long:

2012 Rawlings New York Mets 50th Anniversary Baseball

2012 Rawlings Houston Astros 50th Anniversary Baseball

Final update for today – and possibly for a few weeks – the Baltimore Orioles will be celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Oriole Park at Camden Yards with this official MLB ball – also to be used in all Orioles home games:

2012 Rawlings Oriole Park at Camden Yards 20th Anniversary Baseball

And we’ve still got plenty of baseballs yet to be officially announced – all of the 2012 Rawlings All-Star event balls and potentially a few more commemorative game baseballs (we’re hoping the other baseballs on our wish list make the cut). You can expect all five of the new baseballs to be available for sale early next year by Rawlings Gear and most Rawlings dealers, as well is in respective stadium and team stores.

The Houston organization’s history includes its first few seasons under the original name, Colt .45s. You can read about the details in this team new release posted on the Astros site. Some of the highlights include:

• During all Astros home games in 2012, the official lineup cards, base jewels and official game baseballs will each feature the 50th anniversary logo.
• Friday home games next year, the Astros will wear a throwback jersey that represents a certain era in the Houston franchise. Each month will highlight a jersey from a different era, beginning with the Colt .45s uniforms from 1964.
• In a tribute to all players in franchise history, the Astros will be inviting various former Astros and Colt .45s players to throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to select home games throughout the 2012 season.

Houston Astros 50th Anniversary Logo Unveiling

It was good to see the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim celebrate their 50th Anniversary this year with commemorative game balls used year-round. As we posted about then and discussed in the Big League Baseballs forum, we hoped this would become a trend for other Major League teams to follow. The Angels did it this year, the Astros next. If the Mets also join in next season for their 50th anniversary and put out a commemorative ball, then we’ll call that a winning streak.

While we’re on the subject of commemorative gamers for 2012, other potential opportunities include the 100th Anniversary of Fenway Park in Boston, and the 50th year for Dodgers Stadium, as well as the obvious Inaugural Season of the Miami Marlins / New Marlins Ballpark.

~ ~ ~

Those absurdly priced 24-Karat Gold leather commemorative souvenir baseballs we blogged about a few weeks ago have risen from the depths of rookie-league ball. They’re now stepping up to the plate, and taking the field in the Big Leagues.

Rawlings Souvenir Gold MLB Ball

The lethal marketing claws of the MLB are digging in to our game’s one unwavering symbol of America’s past time – The Baseball itself. Now, 24K Gold-infused Baseballs are shedding the inferior “souvenir baseball” label and becoming… Rawlings Official Major League Game Balls — those that are so coveted by true game ball collecting aficionados like all of us here at BigLeagueBaseballs.com.

Now you could argue that this happened years ago, when the World Series and All-Star Game began featuring special commemorative game balls, unique for each event. But this one definitely feels different in my book – now it’s no longer about “making it special” – this is pure dollars and publicity, even though it’s now an official gamer, the priciest one (MSRP wise) ever to take the field.

So this raises the question, what’s the purpose of the current “gold” home run derby baseball that’s already being sold for the 2o11 Home Run Derby? Will these also be used during the contest?

It’s possible the plans for the real gold version weren’t conceived until well after the regular gold ball was put into production. Maybe sales of the 24K team balls were going so well, that someone with Major League Baseball or Rawlings had an epiphany of a marketing idea to expand the lineup and reach casual collectors.

Or, maybe they were not doing well, and they needed a way to give the expensive spheres some legitimacy by using the gold infused process on real live game balls. It couldn’t hurt if prospective buyers watched as the shiny gold balls are pitched to, and hopefully launched into the seats by the likes of Big Pappi, Jose Bautista and Prince Fielder, among others.

Is it an official gamer now in your opinion? That of course is the position if you consider the Home Run Derby that takes place annually at the All-Star Weekend Festivities to be an official Major League Game or Event. We here are Big League Baseballs do, which is why all Home Run Derby Gold, White and Futures Game balls are enshrined in our Official Museum of Baseballs.

Now, in order to keep our collection (almost) complete, we’ll need to add the new Official Home Run Derby (real) Gold Ball to our lineup. And at a healthy, punch-to-the-gut price tag of $150, it’s not going to be easy. Should we complain? Should we boycott? Doubtful. We all hope for new and interesting commemorative gamers to make it onto the field and into our collections every season.

We wait patiently the release of each commemorative ball and hope for a shiny new logo to adorn an MLB baseball as often as possible. But for some, this will likely be the point where you say “they’ve gone too far” and conclude that this one doesn’t belong in your display. Not at this price. Regardless, it’s official, according to multiple sources.

Gold-infused leather covers have been stitched to thousands (we’re estimating) of pills and are on their way to Chase Field in Arizona to be used as Final Out balls in the 2011 Home Run Derby. They will be hit into the stands, and lucky attendees of the 2011 Home Run Derby will take them home – game-used. And how cool that commemorative Major League baseballs are now being covered by Yahoo Sports! So I’ll add this one to my personal collection, and it will instantly make the top 10 of most expensive baseballs I own – but nowhere near the top for most valuable, rarest, or favorites.

We’ll reach out to dealers, and Rawlings to see what gives with the now “old gold ball,” but we’re not expecting much. It will probably be pawned off as a more economically priced “replica” for those who don’t shell out the big bucks for the real thing.

One final question then: If the Old Gold ball isn’t used in this year’s derby, what do you do with it in regards to your collection? To Big League Baseballs members, does it then get denied entry into the true game ball collection, and the coveted Museum of Baseballs?

The matchup provided an opportunity for two cross-state teams in separate leagues to come together and focus on something much more serious than the game itself. Videos of the tornado and its path of destruction litter Youtube today and will always remind us of the devastating loss of life, homes, neighborhoods and infrastructure. So much destruction left the city of Joplin almost completely crippled – but not beyond recovery – thanks to efforts like this one by Major League Baseball.

A reminder of the impact from this natural disaster:

• On May 22, 2011 an E5 tornado with 200 MPH winds hit the city of Joplin, MO.
• 6,953 homes and 800 business in Joplin were completely destroyed.
• 6 schools were destroyed – 2 High Schools, 2 Middle Schools & 2 Elementary Schools.
• 153 people were killed; 1,300 were injured; 750 hospitalized; and 500 in shelters.

Estimated cost to rebuild Joplin: $1.9 – $3 Billion

The Teams Unite for Joplin Logo is unveiled at a press conference in Joplin, Missouri

BigLeagueBaseballs.com was advised of the charitable efforts by the teams and the league, and the plans for building awareness for the weekend series. Several press releases described the details of the cause, and included photos of the commemorative logo to be used on Ceremonial 1st Pitch Baseballs, base jewels and lineup cards.

We’ve obtained several of these commemorative game balls, and we’re donating $5 from each sale to Cardinals Care: “Funds collected through Cardinals initiatives benefitting the victims in Joplin will be distributed by Cardinals Care to provide relief to area children.”

Obviously, it’s just a tiny contribution, and our supplies are extremely limited. But we’d like to share other opportunities for BigLeagueBaseballs.com visitors to contribute.

There is an auction of signed commemorative baseballs, used game balls and other memorabilia from the series. You can view these items at the Cardinals Auctions’ Site. Additionally, you can purchase a Teams Unite for Joplin official jersey patch, the same as those worn by the Cardinals and Royals during the series. They’re only $10, with proceeds distributed towards relief efforts.

Rawlings 2011 Teams Unite for Joplin Baseball

Additional ways to donate, from the Cardinal site:

• Text the word JOPLIN to 32020 to donate $10.
• Call the Cardinals (314) 345-9000 charge line to donate any amount. Please tell the operator that you would like to donate to the Cardinals Care Joplin Recovery Fund.

We will be auctioning off a few of these baseball via our Ebay store, or you can Email us directly at bigleaguebaseballs@gmail.com to request one, while supplies last.

Last year, according to our 2010 post date, the renderings came out early in the season and the baseballs were in our hands in late May. This season however, we had not seen the renderings that are typically made available to dealers and officials around the league.

After a few emails yesterday, we were able to acquire images of all three 2011 All-Star Weekend Special Event baseballs. These still may not be available to purchase for a few more weeks, but at least we now know what they’ll look like:

Rawlings 2011 All-Star Futures Game Baseball

Rawlings 2011 Home Run Derby Baseball

Rawlings 2011 Home Run Derby Gold Ball

As far as logos, they’ve decided to stick with the Futures Game concept from last year – which I thought was big, bold and a nice deviation from the text heavy logos a few previous years. We’ll reserve judgement until we see the actual ball. Last year, the rendering of the ball made the logo look small, but when the baseball arrived it was much larger and stood out. Hoping for the same this time.

For the Home Run Derby Logo, they appear to have incorporated the 2011 All-Star Game logo in the background, and carried over the same font with that Arizona Diamondbacks snake-tail lettering – well done there. A return to the crossed bats logo as well for the first time since 2007.

Major League Baseball had branded the Home Run Derby well and remained consistent since the very first year the logo was used on an Official Major League Baseball, as you can see on the 2000 HR Derby ball here. The crossed bat logo appeared on every ball in some fashion until the 2008, 2009 and 2010 Home Run Derby baseballs did their own things.

We’ll update this post in a few weeks once we have the actual commemorative baseballs on hand.

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A shot of the D-backs first full-squad workout at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, with the Inaugural Game Ball to be used for all games and practices. Feb. 19, 2011. (Photo property of the Arizona Diamondbacks)

Last week, a rare opportunity was presented to BigLeagueBaseballs.com to take part in the news release announcement for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies new Inaugural Season at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick Official MLB Game Baseball. The first part of this two part story covered the new facility itself, and all of the details about its meaning and the history of the land on which it’s constructed.

As part of this project, we had the privilege to speak with several members of the D-backs front office staff. Presented below is an interview, offering baseball collectors something we’ve personally been seeking for years: An inside peek a team’s process of producing an Official commemorative MLB Baseball, from concept phase to completion.

First, a huge thank you to the entire Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies organizations – we’re grateful for the opportunity to provide baseball collectors a little background on their new Cactus League facility and these baseballs. They should be commended for recognizing the demand of collectors and baseball enthusiasts with this special ball, and of course for the new ballpark itself, and all the planning and hardwork that went into that project.

Additionally, BigLeaugeBaseballs received a shipment of half a dozen of these special event baseballs, along with an engraved Inaugural Game Commemorative Ticket to display. We’re going to share in our good fortune by offering of few of these baseballs to site visitors and forum members – likely through an upcoming contest. We’ll be sure to post an update on that. Onto these great baseballs and their story…

The name of the new facility is quite unique, and needs some explanation, especially if you bypassed part 1 of this article. Direct from the D-backs website, and the official Salt River Fields at Talking Stick website:

The name defines the location of the new baseball Spring Training complex and speaks to the Community’s cultural heritage. “Salt River Fields” alerts baseball fans that they are visiting the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. The word “Fields” refers to the 12 practice fields located within the facility and also the Community’s rich agricultural history while the term “Talking Stick” is a historical reference to the traditional Pima calendar stick on which carvers recorded significant events and milestones.

The name arrives with a new logo that is based on a concept by local Pima artist and calendar stick carver Royce Manuel. Manuel chose to incorporate a rattlesnake to symbolize the D-backs and a mountain to symbolize the Rockies. The logo also emphasizes the scenic mountain ranges that surround Salt River Fields at Talking Stick and illustrates the role of the rattlesnake in southwestern Native American legends.

“Salt River Fields at Talking Stick will offer our guests a unique experience when they see elements of our culture blended with baseball, a great All-American pastime,” said SRPMIC Vice President Martin Harvier. “Fans will attend Cactus League games and get a glimpse of our rich heritage and the panoramic desert and mountain landscape that makes the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community a unique location to watch, play and enjoy Spring Training.”

Rawlings 2011 Official Salt River Fields Inaugural Season Baseballs

BigLeagueBaseballs.com interview with Arizona Diamondbacks senior director of special projects, Graham Rossini.

The story behind the Inaugural Season Salt River Fields at Talking Stick Official Game Ball.

BigLeagueBaseballs.com: We understand the facilities will be shared with the Colorado Rockies. Have these two franchises previously shared facilities in the Cactus League? Is it common for teams to share spring training facilities?
Graham Rossini: “It’s much more common in the Cactus league than Grapefruit League,” said Graham. He added: Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida is only shared site in the Grapefruit League – between the St. Louis Cardinals and Florida Marlins. “There are 10 venues in the Phoenix area, including five that are shared. The D-backs previous spring training facility in Tuscon, Ariz. was also shared by the Chicago White Sox from 1998-2008. The White Sox left in 2009.”

BLB : I’d like to learn more about the meaning of the logo to the franchise. What do the creative elements of the logo represent?

GR: It’s a neat concept that came together quickly for us. “We considered a couple of options for the complex name. The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community is the owner and operator of the facility and they had a lot of input in the name and logo. Royce Manuel [local Pima artist and calendar stick carver] came up with the concept – incorporating both teams into the logo. HKS Architects used FocusEGD, a Dallas-based design firm, to take the original logo from Manuel and refine it. It subtly references the two teams using the complex. It encapsulates everything important, including the “natural beauty of surrounding areas.”

BLB : Did both clubs work together to approve the concept, and how did Major League Baseball factor into the design and approval process? And where else will fans see this logo used?
GR: The approval process was solely between the two teams and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. It really wasn’t much of a back and forth process. “Manuel and FocusEGD put together something that’s amazing. It will be used on base jewels on all three bases and home plate, the lineup cards in dugout.” It’s not really an element that will be used on baseball jerseys, but will be found everywhere in the ballpark’s signage, directionals, maps, scoreboard; it’s seen in a couple hundred locations throughout the entire facility.

Salt River Fields Commemorative Inaugural Game Ticket

BLB: Can you take BigLeagueBaseballs.com’s readers through the process – deciding to make a commemorative game ball, all the way through production, and receiving these baseballs?

Graham noted here his own interest in collecting special event baseballs, particularly from events and games that he’s attended and those in which the D-backs have participated (We applaud him!) Those include:

GR: “Yankee stadium baseballs, the Target Field Inaugural Season and Metrodome Final Season game balls, and several All-Star Game baseballs.” Graham’s first event ball is the 2004 Houston All-Star Game Baseball (a personal favorite of mine, and similar in lace color to the Arizona Diamondback’s own upcoming 2011 All-Star Game Baseball).

(Back to the process for the Salt River Fields Ball)

“Further along the stadium construction process, we decided, ‘why not do this for spring training? Why not commemorate and celebrate the hard work that everyone has put into this great project.’ The next step was to talk to MLB Properties, which would typically need to approve league-wide event baseballs and logos, such as the All-Star Game event balls. “We bounced the idea off of them, and they were completely in favor of it and excited about it. They gave us the go ahead to talk directly with Rawlings.”

With Rawlings, “it was a very smooth process; as simple as sending Rawlings the artwork.” They then sent the D-backs an image to proof and review.

BLB: Who else gets the final decision on the logo, and who has creative imput – just the team, or also the league and Rawlings? Additionally, does the approval process include prototypes with different logos? Do you have photos of prototypes you can share?

GR: We presented the idea to Arizona Diamondbacks president and CEO, Derrick Hall. Rawlings put together a PDF and sent it for our feedback. We didn’t change a thing, it was exactly what we wanted so there was no need for prototypes. We gave it immediate approval. Our lead times were a little tight too, so we decided to pull trigger in November of 2010.

BLB: (We want to give a lot of credit to Graham and the rest of the D-backs front office here. Clearly, there are collectors and fans of commemorative baseballs within this organization who were able to suggest the idea of a special event baseball and help make it a reality!)

So where all can we expect to see these baseballs used? Will fans have a chance to snag a few, perhaps some extras will get carried back to Chase Field to be used in batting practice and warm-ups during the regular season?

GR: We received 800 dozen (9,600) for team use. These baseballs will be used throughout MLB and MiLB spring practices, and all spring training games. “We won’t use them for regular season games. We’ll exhaust that supply before the end of Spring Training. When baseballs are thrown to fans in the stands at Salt River Fields, they will have this logo. It gives our fans something else to look forward to.”

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We hope to be able to keep in touch with Graham on future projects for the D-backs. We’ll be sure to keep an eye out for the upcoming All-Star event baseballs. In mean time, anyone who won’t have the chance to attend a Cactus League game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick can order this special game ball from the stadium’s three team shops, located at  7555 North Pima Rd., Scottsdale, Arizona 85258. Call Salt River Fields at 480-270-5000 to be connected to the team shop.

Once last thank you to the Arizona Diamondbacks for all their contributions to BigLeagueBaseballs.com, and to the D-backs, Rockies and Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community for their joint efforts in bringing fans and players a state-0f-the art facility and a one of a kind fan experience… and for making another great commemorative ball possible!

Photo property of the Arizona Diamondbacks

Photo property of the Arizona Diamondbacks

Visit the BigLeagueBaseballs.com Forum to discuss this article. Don’t forget to join up for an upcoming contest to win an Inaugural Season at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick Official Game Ball, a 2011 Rawlings All-Star Game Ball and others!

Unveiling Salt River Fields at Talking Stick Official Rawlings Baseballs.

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Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, the new spring home to the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies:  A 140-acre site that includes an 11,000-seat ballpark, 12 practice fields, Major and Minor League clubhouses, training facilities and offices for each team. And before the field in this immaculate Cactus League complex ever hosts a Major or Minor League Baseball exhibition game, it will already be considered a historic, and storied ballpark. A ballpark with hallowed grounds that have been the site of legendary stories passed from generation to generation.

Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, new home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies for Cactus League Spring Training

In this case, it’s not the players that take the field behind those stories, not yet anyway. It’s the land on which the fields are built – land that belongs to the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. It is the first Major League ballpark of any kind built on Native American land. “Two tribes, two teams, one home,” is the phrase being used on the official Salt River Fields website – a reference to the two original Pima and Maricopa tribes who’ve inhabited the surrounding area for centuries, and of course to the D-backs and Rockies teams, whose players first stepped onto the fields earlier this month when pitchers and catchers reported for spring training.

The Salt River website is full of great information in the press section. Take a look through the press kit to learn all about the original “ball courts,” the first playing fields created in the area several hundred years ago.

Salt River Fields at Talking Stick Plan from HKS Sports & Entertainment

We could write for days to cover all the great information available about this new stadium, and the history of the land. Although that’s the big picture story, we here at BigLeagueBaseballs.com are focused on just one tiny little detail about this amazing facility, and all of the planning, engineering and development that’s gone into what will likely be considered by many to be the greatest Spring Training site in baseball. That detail of course is the Official Rawlings Commemorative Major League Baseball that’s been designed for use in all D-backs and Rockies 2011 spring training home games, in addition to all workouts, batting practices and other exhibitions.

We were a bit shocked, but thrilled when Arizona Diamondbacks vice president of communications, Shaun Rachau, reached out to us last week to inform us about that commemorative ball. Personally, I was pumped when I saw the attachment in an email – a baseball featuring one of the more unique logos I’d ever seen stamped on an Official MLB Game ball. There was no prior mention of this ball joining the special event game ball lineup for the 2011 season, so we’re also happy to see 2011 rounding into a solid year of baseball collectors.

We were even more surprised when we were not only called upon as a source for the D-backs press release about this ball, but were given the opportunity interview Graham Rossini, senior director of special projects for the D-backs, about the entire process of developing a commemorative game ball. (That interview and detailed photos will be found in the second post of this two part series.)

BigLeagueBaseballs was provided half a dozen of the baseballs, prior to their release and use this weekend in the first official exhibition game to be played at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. More on that in Part 2 as well, but first, what all of you commemorative baseball collectors have been waiting for me to stop rambling about, and officially unveil:

A promo picture for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies Salt River Fields at Talking Stick Official Baseball (Photo property of the Arizona Diamondbacks)

Indeed, this is an MLB commissioner Allan “Bud” Selig officially stamped ROMLB gamer – not to be confused with any souvenir baseballs. And all fans attending spring training games will have a chance to snag one of these babies throughout the 2011 Cactus League season. So for our ballhawks on the site, if you’re in the area, get down to Salt River Fields at Talking Stick and don’t forget your gloves.

Initial thoughts? Such a unique name, with deep meaning; such a unique logo for a commemorative game ball. The logo features multiple design concepts that also represent several important points. First, the Rocky Mountains and rattle snake are combined to form one mark, representing both franchises that call the new ballpark home. But the shape, the tall, narrow logo itself, is clearly a reference to the legendary “talking stick,” which is a traditional Pima calendar stick on which carvers recorded significant events and milestones. What better way to honor the significance of this incredible facility, and the milestones of its inaugural season, game, and the fact that its the first ballpark of its kind, built on Indian land?

Facts & Figures: Salt River Fields at Talking Stick

• The $100 million facility will be shared by The Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies.
• Each team has its own office space, team shops, clubhouses, weight rooms and practice fields.
• The Rockies will occupy the first-base dugout, while the D-backs will have the third-base side.
• The stadium, which is the only Major League Spring Training facility to sit on Native American land.
• The ballpark can hold 11,000 fans: 7,000 fixed seats and a lawn area beyond the outfield walls that can seat up to 4,000.
• In a tribute to the land on which the stadium is built, some signs are done not only in English, but also in the Pima and Salt River Native American languages.
• The video scoreboard is the largest Spring Training board in baseball, measuring 24-by-48 feet and featuring a high-definition picture and LED technology.
• For kids, there is a Wiffle-ball field down the right-field line to keep them occupied during games.
• HKS Sports & Entertainment designed the ballpark, the same firm that designed Cowboy Stadium in Dallas.
• The agreement between the Rockies, D-backs and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community is slated for at least an initial 25 years.

Some additional details of note regarding Salt River Fields, taken from various articles on the Diamondbacks site:

The close proximity of Salt River Fields to Chase Field allows the D-backs and their fans easy access and an opportunity to attend all Cactus League home games. It’s on about 10 miles from Chase Field, which will boost spring training attendance. “The first day tickets went on sale, Arizona sold 37,000 compared with 4,700 the first day last year at Tucson Electric Park [they're previous home].”

The inaugural game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick is tomorrow (Feb. 26th, 2011) and its sold out. The Rockies and D-backs will christen the stadium together in a 1:10 p.m. MST matchup. Over 120,000 tickets have already been sold by the D-backs, it looks like they’re well on their way to breaking their Spring Training record of 136,940, set in 2002, the year after the franchise shocked the sports world by upsetting the New York Yankees in the 2001 World Series.

By having a Spring Training facility to close to Chase Field, the D-backs are able to use it for rehab and year-round training. To new GM Kevin Towers, it’s a recruiting tool with free agents.

“The location is tremendous, aesthetically gorgeous,” Towers said. “I think it gives us a real advantage in signing players. I think we felt that way this winter. It gives Major League players an opportunity to really spend eight months of the year at home. A lot of these guys have a wife and kids and it’s pretty nice when you don’t have to pack and go to Spring Training.”

Join us for part 2 here, featuring the exclusive Interview with Arizona Diamondbacks special projects Graham Rossini, and the process of completing the commemorative logo for the Salt River Fields at Talking Stick Official Rawlings Inaugural Season Baseballs, as well as the inside scoop on working with Rawlings to manufacture thousands of the pearly white gems for Spring Training.

Not only will this add to the 50th Anniversary celebration at Angel Stadium, it will offer fans the unique opportunity to collect a piece of 50th memorabilia for every home run or foul ball that leaves the ballpark. During the course of an 81-game home schedule, the Angels use over 4,400 baseballs per season (on average).

The first photo was made available from the Angels site.

First picture of the Angels 2011 Commemorative Ball

The commemorative logo on the ball mirrors the 50th Anniversary logo in one-color, and makes for an excellent design on the lower panel of the Official Selig-stamped MLB ball. Blue stamping of course. As always, we’ll update this post with better photos once we receive our order of these baseballs. We’ll hoping to have a dozen in March. Additional information about this special mark, from the team’s official site:

Official 50th Anniversary Logo 1961-2011

Many factors were important to the Angels when developing the 50th Anniversary logo. These considerations include:

• The Gold Halo, signifying the club’s Golden Anniversary. It also pays homage to the Gold Halo used in past Angel logos and uniforms.
• The number 50, which sits predominantly beneath the halo to signify the key message of the 2011 season: celebrating 50 years of Angels Baseball.
• The ribbon resting below to emphasize Angels heritage and celebrate the club’s expansion in 1961 through 2011 prosperity.
• Finally, the “A” logo and use of the color red emphasize the current era of Angels Baseball and brand imagery.

In addition to a Golden Halo on club lettering and team hats, Angel uniforms in 2011 will feature a commemorative 50th Anniversary patch on the right sleeve of Angel home, road and alternate red jerseys. The logo will also be affixed to the left side of team hats.

For more details, the complete release can be found here.  Additionally, more information about the season long 50th Anniversary celebration is available here. Commemorative baseball collectors and Angels fans will be interested to learn, this is the first regular season special event ball used exclusively by the Angels. It gives the organization 8 total commemorative game balls overall, including All-Star Game, World Series and Spring Training Special Event Baseballs.

The complete list of baseballs by team, a BigLeagueBaseballs.com exclusive, can be found on our site. This bumps the Angels into a tie, temporarily, for 9th most commemorative baseballs along with the Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers. They’ll all drop to 10th once the Arizona Diamondbacks release their four All-Star Game event commemorative balls (2011 All-Star Game, All-Star Futures Game, Home Run Derby and Home Run Derby Gold).

Congrats to Rawlings, MLB and the Angels on an excellent special event, commemorative game ball! Tip of the cap to Big League Baseballs Forum member StadiumPage for the lead.