On the signing front

I attempt to catch up on a huge pile of cards with the first of several entries from the signing front for May and early June.

The month started with a a trip to Frederick to see the Winston-Salem Dash.
The Dash might have the worst logo (reminds me of the kids toy Mad Balls from the 80's & 90's) and arguably the worst name in the game as well.

That is sprinkled in with the color combo of purple and pink and you have a recipe for awful.
Winston-Salem's top prospect that we were able to get was third baseman Jon Gilmore,but I didn't have a ton of stuff since the team didn't make a 2009 set and their low A provider Kannapolis had been to Hagerstown last season.

The next visitor to Hagerstown was the Pirate affiliate from West Virginia.
The Power brought in some interesting names as second round pick Victor Black arrived in town to join the team for the first time all season.
Black talked for quite a while about the injury that he suffered and the time spent in Florida rehabbing.
Victor signed five cards for me,most notably a Bowman purple refractor and a Donruss elite Gold of which there was only 50 made.
Very nice fellow and easy to root for,Victor has since went back on the DL.
Other nice pickups were first baseman Aaron Baker,who added Go Sooners to his Donruss card and was ridden by the same guy that delights in razzing opposition first baseman all night,third round pick Evan Chambers and Jesus Brito,who was obtained from Cleveland before the season for Brian Bixler.
I also got coach Josh Bonifay on his old Hickory card and when I asked why he used an Orange sharpie,he replied "I love the contrast on the paper,dude!"
Devon White was around helping the Suns outfielders around this time and signed two cards as well.

A few thank yous for cards around this time go out to Tom O'Brien and Mike Treadwell.
Tom helped me with Richmond,now a Giants team in the return of baseball to the Virginia capital.Roger Kieschnick,Thomas Neal,Conor Gillespie and Darren Ford were notables,although Tom reports that Ford signed all cards but refused to sign his Bowman card with the Brewers.
Neal,a top 50 prospect was the player that I really wanted and Tom was able to get all four card signed.
Mike took a trip to Delmarva to see the Savannah Sand Gnats,who do not visit Hagerstown.
Mike helped me with Juan Lagares,Alonso Harris and Mark Cohoon among others.

I also pulled a David Lough refractor autograph from a Bowman pack and former Ranger pitcher Jim Umbarger signed through the mail.

The next Signing Front will look at the Asheville Tourists in Hagerstown,the Kinston Indians in Frederick and more help from my friends.....