You might need a reservation, just from my past experience summertime vacations

The Garden State Parkway sucks during the summer all beach traffic and the tolls, North and South especially going south starting at Sayreville, NJ through Toms River

Thanks. While checking the Lewes to Cape May route, I found the ferry information and reservation system. The ferry ride is 80 minutes and then AC is another hour up the road from the Cape.

AC bound
 

I have yet to make any reservations for the National as I just worked it out so I can attend. I know reservations anywhere in AC will be tough, ideas on where else would be feasible? I am coming up from NC early in the week. Also, what would be the best avenue to get VIP tickets? Thanks for the suggestions.

I would imagine the NSCC web site still has MVP tickets available. Once ordered, you can pick up at the door in case you are worried about receiving them in the mail in advance.

And I know many people are staying in Absecon. I heartily recommend doing that and driving in each day if you can't find a place in AC

Rich

I see on Ticket website they ask for a promo code to get a discount on admission If anyone has one they could share please pm or post.

A little late here, but I feel the need to chime in on this question from the other side of the table as I've done several signings during my nearly decade in the industry.

If Mariano were to stop and take a photo with every single fan, and the line is 300-400 people long, maybe even bigger, it would literally add 2-3 hours of time to his signing session which would substantially reduce the amount of time visitors could spend at booths, getting other signatures or otherwise use during the day to spend money elsewhere. This, inevitably, would cost everyone involved a lot of money, which, whether you would like to admit it or not, is what the National is all about from every angle.

Additionally there are literally dozens upon dozens of signings each day at all times. Then, what if the first photo isn't great, then you want another, or more than one, its a slippery slope. If you don't like the cost of signers, don't buy/pay for it. That simple.

If you don't like the prices don't buy the auto/photo op, I've passed on plenty of players because their prices were just a bit to high for my liking. I regret only once not buying into a signing. If enough people don't buy it two things will happen:

A. That athlete will substantially drop their price or
b. They wont be doing future signing because no one will want them at their ridiculous prices.

Funny, but Cal Ripken manages to take pictures with anyone who pays for an autograph ticket. Which makes sense because, he is the iron man. Cal KNOWS he is going to be there for a substantial amount of time. Cal signs 15-20 items, gets up and someone from his organization takes a picture with your camera. I just checked the Tristar site and the autograph ticket entitles the ticket holder to a photo with Cal with your camera. His autograph is not cheap at $159, but at least he is not doubling up and charging for the photo op as well.

Cal gets it.

I will be attending the convention in Atlantic City this year and appreciate all the insight provided by Snapolit1 and others. I will definitely visit the Knife and Fork Inn and the White House Sub Shop. In regard to lodging, I’m staying at the Tropicana. I was just advised by a co-worker to check out the bed bug registry website and noted that all the host hotels have numerous complaints of bed bug sightings. I assumed this is the exception rather than the norm but wanted to ask others on the board who have lodge in AC to comment on their experiences. I appreciate anyone sharing their experiences and hopefully all positive.

Never once had an issue anywhere in AC, including the Trop.

Depends on the signer too, obviously, but as nice a guy as Mo is, he isn't going to stay at a public signing for 6 hours and take photos, he knows he can do a "meet and greet" type even in NY with Steiner and get paid far more for those same photo ops.

Trust me this is no offense to Cal, I love him and he was a phenomenal player but he has been on the show circuit for nearly a decade, he makes multiple appearances at card shows on a monthly basis and is common. Mariano's public appearances are much fewer and further between, and I'd take a guess that since this show is within the vicinity of NYC, the turnout for him will be very high, where as Cal would probably pull in a couple hundred auto tickets, I could easily see a Mariano public at the National selling out.

And, TBH, Mariano is as nice and patient of a guy as there is out there, he takes pictures with fans for free all the time, out in public, for free. It's simply show logistics.

Why does anyone want a photo with a player? It isn't like you and he are going to be friends. Just a paid momentary encounter with a celebrity. At least an autograph potentially has value.

I settled my PITA fall trial case on Tuesday so my trip is confirmed.

I agree with you, never understood why anyone would want to pay for a photo with someone, if you happen to encounter the person out and about a photo is definitely cool, but I always hate the "staged" photo ops.

Fyi, I received an email from the Tropicana saying they have special rates in effect for the rest of the summer. Won't be cheap but definately worth a look if you are still not settled on hotel. Big property, no more rukus than your typical casino hotel, and the best fitness facility in AC.

True. I had my camera for this one but didn't use it. All I paid was admission.

(BTW, a lawsuit over pocket bread? who was the other litigant in the PITA case? FETA?:D:o)

Just a note -- plan your day trips to AC accordingly during the summer, unless it's a rainy day, which does occur in NJ.

BTW -- this is also true for the New Jersey Turnpike which some people would take from the North to the GSP and pick up the GSP about exit 129 on the GSP (IIRC that exit(

Friday Night, which would not affect the show and Saturday Mornings are bad times to be heading South (or North) on the GSP but if you go during the way during the week or head South on Sunday you will be fine. Now going North on Sunday evening on the GSP is a real pain as well.

So just think about slightly different times to drive OR look into the casino buses if you don't like traffic.

If you have a little time and aren't carrying a lot of stuff, I'd recommend Amtrak train to 30th St. Station Philly and then a local Philly train to AC. Did once and was very easy. Seemed like there were trains to AC once an hour at least. Very relaxing, and the Amtrak station is I believe across the street from the Shereton and convention center. And you don't need to incur costs for parking.

God, I hate summer traffic. Jersey Garden State Parkway can be a complete horror show in the summer.

Is there any need to buy tickets ahead of time (aside from saving a few bucks)? Has anyone ever been turned away when paying at the door?

No but depending on the day, there can be a decent wait to get in when the show opens. If you don't want to bypass that line, then you can certainly buy your tickets on the show day..

Rich

For what it's worth, my top 10 places to eat in AC.

1. White House Sub Shop - a classic of classic. Amazing sandwiches. Full of press clippings and pics of every celebrity who was ever passed through. Should be a national landmark. Get bread a few times a day from the Italian bakery up the street. Order a half, a whole is enough for about 4 people. Pepper and egg with onions on hot bread. Heaven on earth.

2. Knife and Fork Inn: amazing place. If you are a fan of Boardwalk Empire you can't miss. Old time AC. Amazing food. Really a walk back in time. Lobster thermidor! Where the hell can you can lobster thermidor in 2016?

3. Chef Vola's: amazing Italian. Good luck getting a res. Need to take a taxi. At end of a residential street a little off the street. If they tell you they can only seat you at 10 take it anyway. Safe to go to.

4. Matorano's: Italian place in Harrah's. Just ate there for the first time. Very very good Italian food. Meatballs to die for.

5. Chart House: seafood, in Golden Nugget. Nice views and great food.

6. Cuba Libre: Cuban as you might guess. In the Quarter area of the Tropicana. Food is good but maybe its the high octane great rum drinks that have had me coming back for years.

7. Izakaya - in Borgata, Best Japanese, including sushi, I've had in AC.

8. Iron Room - really cool spot, new spot. An old bottling company turned into a high end restaurant. Wife and I loved it. Will need to take a taxi. (I walked, but the street its on is a little sketchy.)

9. Il Mulino - in Trump Taj. AC outpost of one of NY's best Italian places. Also one in Vegas. Is the restaurant part (a little formal, but a great experience) and the cheaper grill.

10. White House sub shop. See no. 1.

AC
 

White House Sub Shop ! # 1

Bolded for whole-hearted agreement.

Since his retirement, Mariano has not been a complete stranger to the autograph circuit like a Griffey. I agree that Mariano attends fewer shows than Cal. At the former Tuff-Stuff shows in Richmond, players used to sell out quite frequently. I can't remember that last time a baseball guest sold out at one of the larger shows. At $249 a throw, I would be surprised if Mariano sold out. Adding the "Enter Sandman" inscription adds another $100. He has a nice signature. Mariano was a Yankee and there are a ton of Yankee collectors, so a sell out could happen but at $249, unlikely.

I really miss the Tuff-Show in Richmond. That was one of my favorite shows !!! http://i6.ifrm.com/2422/189/emo/beerchug.gif

Yeah, I purposely left that straight line hanging.

Public works contract dispute that was supposed to go to trial in early October. Had it not settled I'd probably have had to cancel my trip to work on the trial prep; big paper case, fun forensic engineering, lots of money at stake. Defendant decided to fork over a big pile of $ now rather than do so after burning $200K on a trial.

Those were great shows! Mini Nationals!

Not Too Bad
 

Arrived today in AC to look around before tomorrows opening. I'm staying at Ballys. It was no more than a 15 minute walk from my hotel to the Convention Center. All looked well and lively.

A few shots in the center.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...pskamm5smi.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps3xdbig8o.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psuonbkt7y.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psiuzsebof.jpg

A shot of signs and electronic billboards with NSCC promotion. See how they change
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps3wzur5qj.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...pscv8lxr3c.jpg

A view of the Sheraton across from the convention center
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psif4nzxn1.jpg

A shot leaving the center heading back to Ballys, and looking back behind me towards the sheraton / convention center.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...psi1gc4p1r.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...pswcgrmslt.jpg

Will Post more tomorrow

Now I'm really excited! Thanks.

Well I've got to take a bus from the Port Authority at 8:00 am but I'm pretty excited about Saturday. I'll be heading down to get Pettitte to complete my Core Four baseball.

Does anyone know how PSA handles cards that have a cert but you want them to holder instead? I assume there's a fee for the holder, but you don't have to pay for the authentication again do you?

I know at Beckett is JSA puts the stamp on the card, then it is just the holder fee (at least it was when I had a few JSA cards late last year)

RIch

Thanks. I have a card that has the PSA cert letter but I'd rather have it in a holder. I just don't want to pay them the same fee twice. Holdering would be much cheaper.

Just curious why was Bernie Williams not considered part of the Core 4, I know that would have made it a Core 5, and doesn't rhyme, but what separated him from the others?

His career began a lot earlier. He started in 1991 vs 1995 for the others. Although Posada only played 1 game in 1995.

Planning on heading down there tomorrow morning for the day. What is the parking situation like? It looks like Park Whiz has some places for $20 for the day that are a little under a half mile to the convention center.

How does that compare to the rates at the convention center?

Drive by
 

Did not go to the sneak peak, but when my brother and I drove by, parking sign read $15

I'll be staying at the Sheraton for a night (Thursday) and I thought parking would have been free at the Sheraton, but they charge $15.00 for self-parking.

I'll walk around Thursday night and then go back Friday morning to get Ron Blomberg's autograph and hopefully meet some online friends that I've never met in person.

Dinner after the national on Friday
 

Having a great time in Atlantic City !!!

Anyone at the national is welcome to join us for dinner on Friday, Aug 5th at Wingcraft Kitchen & Beer Bar. We will be there soon after the show ends at around 6:30 pm - 7 pm. Just ask for the Net54 collectors group if you don't see/know someone from Net54.

http://www.wingcraftac.com/

http://i6.ifrm.com/2422/189/emo/beerchug.gifhttp://i6.ifrm.com/2422/189/emo/beerchug.gifhttp://i6.ifrm.com/2422/189/emo/beerchug.gifhttp://i6.ifrm.com/2422/189/emo/beerchug.gifhttp://i6.ifrm.com/2422/189/emo/beerchug.gif

AC
 

WAS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!

just got back from the sneakpeek:D

you are all in for a treat!

:)

more to share.....too tired....THANKS JAMIE AND CHRIS B

ac is beautiful

Today rocked! Hope to see more of you tomorrow! Great meeting fellow members

Parking at the center (garage is directly under the convention floor) is $15 / day.

My first national. Had a good time. Nothing to compare it to. Here are some general reactions.
- not much high end stuff; e.g., little Gehrig and Ruth
- a ton of football cards. Stunned me. Not my interest.
- some good sellers of vintage photos
- dealers weren't negotiating much. For example, best a guy could do on a $1500 card was $1475. Whatever. I will look for it on eBay.
- many very friendly sellers. Some great talks. All the major AHs had their upcoming items
- was generally well run and comfortable
- saw a lot of 52 Mantles, not surprisingly
- tons of tobacco cards. I don't collect them
- Pannini (?) and some of the other new card company had a great energy with breaks and whatnot. Lots of young kids. Lots of screaming.
- PSA had long lines. I wasn't waiting an hour plus. Went to SGC and was helped immediately. Was very pleased with the rarer card I got graded on site in 2 hours ($50)

Anyone see Negro League material at the show? It seemed that the past several years that I attended, only Ryan C. and maybe the AH's had anything significant, and theirs wasn't for sale, just previews for viewing.