Billyhoyle
Im Not Juan Garcia
Guest column: Why kids should collect cards
12.24
19
Posted on December 24, 2012 – 6:14 pm | Author: chrisolds
Baseball | Beckett.com, collecting, featured, Parker Stenseth | Comments (19)
A letter from 12-year-old Parker Stenseth of Fargo, N.D., recently arrived in my mailbox with a note attached to a story.
“This is an article I wrote about why kids should collect baseball cards. I would be thrilled if you read it. Also, if you could, please send me some feedback or advise. … I hope to read my articles in a magazine like you someday.â€
Well, Parker, I figured why wait for some extra space to open up in a magazine when we can present it all right here for everyone to see on the holidays. Oh, and a couple of Beckett magazines should be arriving soon, too. — Chris Olds
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Why kids should collect baseball cards
By Parker Stenseth | Commentary
Baseball card collecting is a hobby for all, but in recent years it has gone a little more toward adults than kids.
There are still many reasons kids should collect, though.
There are so many reasons kids should collect baseball cards that I won’t be able to address them all. Of them all, I feel the most important is that it helps you connect with others.
As an example, I got started on collecting after my cousin, who I now consider one of my best friends, took me to a Twins game and bought me a team set of cards. (I later dropped that set in the sink being six, but my cousin was kind enough to buy me another.) That set of cards sparked a fascination in me that is still there today.
Cody and I still go to card shows, still trade and still go to the local store together. I have also heard a story of a dad with a mentally handicapped son and couldn’t relate to him that well but when his son got interested in cards they had something to spend some quality time together with.
Another reason kids should collect baseball cards is just the feeling of pulling a good card is like no other. I remembered when I pulled my first autograph, David Wright. I seriously couldn’t stop smiling the next two hours. Also being at a card show is one of the most fun things I can think of. It’s amazing being surrounded by so many pieces of baseball history and knowing you could buy some of what’s there.
Then there’s also trading cards with a friend. It’s so much fun looking through your friend’s collection and hearing the stories behind each card and then finding a card in their collection that you want and trading for it. Baseball cards give so much happiness and enjoyment that everyone should feel.
Next, I feel cards improve academic skills. I’m currently a seventh-grader that’s doing some mid high school work at school and I give a lot of credit to baseball cards for that. With all the numbers on the backs of the cards for stats and then sorting your cards and finding how much they’re worth, it would be hard not to learn anything about math, logistics or marketing skills.
Finally, I feel it’s a better way to spend your time than video games, Internet or anything like that. Baseball cards can give you a longer-lasting satisfaction and you can enjoy them with others. It’s also not dangerous, and there’s no negative influence on younger kids.
All things considered, baseball cards are a great hobby for kids and anybody else. It’s something you can do with others, it gives a ton of happiness, could teach you a thing or two, and anyone can enjoy it.
http://www.beckett.com/news/2012/12/guest-commentary-why-kids-should-collect-baseball-cards/
12.24
19
Posted on December 24, 2012 – 6:14 pm | Author: chrisolds
Baseball | Beckett.com, collecting, featured, Parker Stenseth | Comments (19)
A letter from 12-year-old Parker Stenseth of Fargo, N.D., recently arrived in my mailbox with a note attached to a story.
“This is an article I wrote about why kids should collect baseball cards. I would be thrilled if you read it. Also, if you could, please send me some feedback or advise. … I hope to read my articles in a magazine like you someday.â€
Well, Parker, I figured why wait for some extra space to open up in a magazine when we can present it all right here for everyone to see on the holidays. Oh, and a couple of Beckett magazines should be arriving soon, too. — Chris Olds
—
Why kids should collect baseball cards
By Parker Stenseth | Commentary
Baseball card collecting is a hobby for all, but in recent years it has gone a little more toward adults than kids.
There are still many reasons kids should collect, though.
There are so many reasons kids should collect baseball cards that I won’t be able to address them all. Of them all, I feel the most important is that it helps you connect with others.
As an example, I got started on collecting after my cousin, who I now consider one of my best friends, took me to a Twins game and bought me a team set of cards. (I later dropped that set in the sink being six, but my cousin was kind enough to buy me another.) That set of cards sparked a fascination in me that is still there today.
Cody and I still go to card shows, still trade and still go to the local store together. I have also heard a story of a dad with a mentally handicapped son and couldn’t relate to him that well but when his son got interested in cards they had something to spend some quality time together with.
Another reason kids should collect baseball cards is just the feeling of pulling a good card is like no other. I remembered when I pulled my first autograph, David Wright. I seriously couldn’t stop smiling the next two hours. Also being at a card show is one of the most fun things I can think of. It’s amazing being surrounded by so many pieces of baseball history and knowing you could buy some of what’s there.
Then there’s also trading cards with a friend. It’s so much fun looking through your friend’s collection and hearing the stories behind each card and then finding a card in their collection that you want and trading for it. Baseball cards give so much happiness and enjoyment that everyone should feel.
Next, I feel cards improve academic skills. I’m currently a seventh-grader that’s doing some mid high school work at school and I give a lot of credit to baseball cards for that. With all the numbers on the backs of the cards for stats and then sorting your cards and finding how much they’re worth, it would be hard not to learn anything about math, logistics or marketing skills.
Finally, I feel it’s a better way to spend your time than video games, Internet or anything like that. Baseball cards can give you a longer-lasting satisfaction and you can enjoy them with others. It’s also not dangerous, and there’s no negative influence on younger kids.
All things considered, baseball cards are a great hobby for kids and anybody else. It’s something you can do with others, it gives a ton of happiness, could teach you a thing or two, and anyone can enjoy it.
http://www.beckett.com/news/2012/12/guest-commentary-why-kids-should-collect-baseball-cards/
