Cleveland's IX Center to Close - Home to the National

[Yoda]

I recall the Atlanta National back in the mid 1990's as being exciting and packed. Perhaps my perception was clouded by serious discussions I had with Kevin Struss, who was with SCP at the time, for a PSA graded vg/ex T206 Honus. The card had been consigned by Bill Mastro and was a recent discovery.

But I always thought Atlanta was a great demographic choice for the National; the East Crowd could easily and economically fly in, the South would obviously be served, plenty of good hotels and restaurants and then Georgia with a rich baseball history.

To this day, I don't know what went wrong and Atlanta was dropped from the National's rota. Living in Florida, as I do, it would make my logistics easier to attend if reconsidered.

[Jewish-collector]

That's too bad the National will no longer be in Cleveland. It was always easy to drive & park at the IX Center. It now looks like the National will end up being in Chicago every single year.

There are many locations/venues that can't host the National for one reason or another:

Some venues are too small
Some cities don't have enough hotel rooms
Some venues are not convenient to airports
Some venues have union legal stuff that makes it not possible
Some venues charge too much for having events in their building
Some cities are not good baseball towns so they're voted no
Some venues don't want it scheduled too far in the future, so voted no.

I'm sure there are more reasons, but these are the major ones.

[Rich Klein]

Originally Posted by Yoda

I recall the Atlanta National back in the mid 1990's as being exciting and packed. Perhaps my perception was clouded by serious discussions I had with Kevin Struss, who was with SCP at the time, for a PSA graded vg/ex T206 Honus. The card had been consigned by Bill Mastro and was a recent discovery.

But I always thought Atlanta was a great demographic choice for the National; the East Crowd could easily and economically fly in, the South would obviously be served, plenty of good hotels and restaurants and then Georgia with a rich baseball history.

To this day, I don't know what went wrong and Atlanta was dropped from the National's rota. Living in Florida, as I do, it would make my logistics easier to attend if reconsidered.

John:

To be honest and I was with Beckett at both times (92 and 99) and frankly Atlanta was a disappointment both times. The 1999 National was frankly terrible and the 92 one was not good considering how hot the hobby was at the time. Atlanta is not an active hobby area.

Rich

[mr2686]

It's not like we're asking a lot out here on the West Coast. How about one every 8 or 10 years? I mean, I know some of the dealers don't want to travel out here, but we have a lot of people here in the hobby willing to spend money.

[Rich Klein]

This is now a decade-long (and longer) discussion. Here is this classic from 2009

https://www.net54baseball.com/showth...ht=Mike+Berkus

Rich

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by Rich Klein

John:

To be honest and I was with Beckett at both times (92 and 99) and frankly Atlanta was a disappointment both times. The 1999 National was frankly terrible and the 92 one was not good considering how hot the hobby was at the time. Atlanta is not an active hobby area.

Rich

Rich, thanks. Now I know. Must have been the Honus.

[conor912]

I hope organizers aren't betting the farm on a 2021 Natty happening. Covid certainly won’t be sorted out by winter when I assume planning starts, and changes for a show that big need a very wide berth. Hope I’m wrong, but if I was them I’d be investigating the possibility of a Chicago 2022 return.

[Rich Klein]

Originally Posted by conor912

I hope organizers aren't betting the farm on a 2021 Natty happening. Covid certainly won’t be sorted out by winter when I assume planning starts, and changes for a show that big need a very wide berth. Hope I’m wrong, but if I was them I’d be investigating the possibility of a Chicago 2022 return.

I've talked enough with Mr. Broggi to know he (and the other National promoters and the dealer board) will not rush in and have a show unless they feel it is safe. They are planning to have the 2021 show but not betting the farm on the NSCC as it was in 2019. I don't speak for anyone but there is enough room in Rosemont to re-adjust if needed.

We can have shows but we have to be careful thereof.

Rich

[conor912]

Originally Posted by Rich Klein

I've talked enough with Mr. Broggi to know he (and the other National promoters and the dealer board) will not rush in and have a show unless they feel it is safe. They are planning to have the 2021 show but not betting the farm on the NSCC as it was in 2019. I don't speak for anyone but there is enough room in Rosemont to re-adjust if needed.

We can have shows but we have to be careful thereof.

Rich

Good luck to anyone making decisions about mask rules. That in and of itself could be a nightmare.

[Rich Klein]

Originally Posted by conor912

Good luck to anyone making decisions about mask rules. That in and of itself could be a nightmare.

Even here is Texas if the masks are mandated by county, state, etc then most of the people will honor that request. Kyle's August show had about 90 percent compliance. Not perfect but much better than June's show.

Rich