Unknown (Attributed to Dale Pratt/multiple signatures)
Potential Minor League or Amateur Baseball Players · Baseball
Unknown / Non-Major League
Era
Modern era, likely 1990s to early 2000s
Item Type
Autographed Baseball
Condition
Poor to Fair. The ball is heavily soiled, scuffed, and shows signs of 'play wear'. The ink is fading and bleeding into the porous surface of the ball.
Rarity
Common/Low rarity. These appear to be 'in-person' signatures from a minor league or local collegiate game.
Overall Assessment
This is a typical 'fan-obtained' baseball featuring non-notable players. Its primary value is for personal memory rather than financial investment.
Authenticity Assessment
Uncertain - likely authentic to the individuals who signed it, but they are not high-profile Major League stars.
Signature Style
Casual felt-tip scrawl. One signature features a distinct 'grid' or cross-hatch flourish over a letter, common in hurried fan-signing sessions. Below it is a cursive signature starting with 'A' or 'D' and ending in 'Pratt'.
Signature Characteristics
The top signature is highly stylized with three vertical lines crossed by a horizontal stroke. The bottom signature 'Pratt' shows a looping 'P' and tight 'tt' finishing strokes.
Ink & Medium
Black felt-tip marker on a synthetic leather or composite baseball.
Item Description
A well-used, scuffed baseball with red stitching. The surface material appears to be a lower-grade leather or composite rather than an Official Major League Baseball (ROMLB).
Estimated Value
$5 - $15 USD
Comparison to Known Examples
The signatures do not match any high-profile Hall of Fame or All-Star players like Dale Murphy or Dave Parker.
Authentication Tips
Look for the manufacturer's mark on the other panels of the ball. If the ball is from a specific minor league team, the signatures likely belong to that roster.
Certification Recommendation
Not recommended. The cost of authentication (PSA/JSA) would significantly exceed the market value of the item.
Red Flags
The ball is not an official league ball, and the signatures lack the fluidity and consistent form associated with professional signers who sign high volumes of memorabilia.
Provenance Notes
Ask the original owner which stadium or city they lived in when they obtained the signatures; this usually identifies the local minor league team.
Historical Context
Reflects the 'in-person' collecting culture of the 1990s where fans would get entire teams of prospects to sign available practice balls.
Market Trends
General interest in unknown or minor league autographs is very low unless the player later becomes a major star.
Investment Potential
None. This is a sentimental item or a 'common' piece of sports memorabilia.
Similar Autographs
Minor League team-signed balls; 1980s-90s common player autographs.
Display & Preservation
Keep in a UV-protected cube; however, the ink is already showing 'bleeding' due to the low-quality skin of the ball.
Interesting Facts
Many collectors use 'scuffed' balls like this for practice signatures because they are inexpensive compared to official Rawlings ROMLB balls.