On the signing front-II

More on the signing front as I have a huge pile on cards that need to be filed and I usually don't file them until I have posted that particular bunch up on the blogosphere.

The Frederick Keys giveaway set is reported to be one of the harder sets to find this season in minor league baseball.
I have my two from the last minute trip to Frederick referred to in the last "Signing Front" as my dad asked me "You want me to give you mine"?
The easy answer was "Of course,are you nuts?!"
The Keys are not loaded with prospects this season despite winning the Carolina League's Northern Division title in the first half.
Other than since promoted Xavier Avery and the returning from injury L.J. Hoes,only Ron Welty has emerged from the pack as a possible prospect with the stick.
All three signed their card for me as did two of three most intriguing arms on the Keys in Ryan Berry and Brett Jacobsen.
The other pitcher was Rick Zagone now with AA Bowie,who had been promoted before the set was released.
Thanks to Corey Cunningham and his wife Krista,who did all the work on the Keys set for me.
Thanks,guys!

I had low expectations for signatures on our Ohio swing.
I didn't bring very much and was looking at anything that I was able to get as a bonus.
In Columbus,I was able to nab pitchers Jensen Lewis and Zach Putnam as both were signing in the concourse before the game and "the Jeff" ran over and got them to sign their cards,Lewis signed his just purchased Columbus card,while Putnam signed his Akron card that I had brought with me.
Otherwise,I was able to get a few players that I knew from Hagerstown and Frederick days as Nick Weglarz and Jared Goedart each signed their Akron cards and Jose Constanza signed his Columbus card.
Weglarz talked a little about the wonderful "Muni",it never ceases to amaze me how many eye rolls I get when mentioning Hagerstown to players.
Josh Tomlin signed his Columbus card and talked for about five minutes.
Tomlin was two days away from his callup to the Indians and has always been such a class act.

In Lake County,I had three cards as I held onto the Captains for next season at Kinston and "the Jeff" attempted to get the two players that I had for the Peoria Cubs signed.
Jeff reports that Hak-Ju Lee signed his Midwest League card with a smile,but Logan Watkins ignored his request from feet away.
I had been told that Watkins was not a willing signer and he lived down to the billing.
Thanks again to Jeff for the help.

The West Virginia Power made their final visit into Hagerstown and I had two days to complete my favorite SAL team since the first two games of the set was during the Ohio trip.
Fortunately,the Power are a good signing team and I was able to get everyone that was available in the team set.
Notable additions were Jarek Cunningham,Rogelio Noris and Evan Chambers....

I had very little for the Lynchburg Hillcats as I had finished most of them earlier in the season,but traveling with Bill Cover is always a pleasure,so I filled in a few and tried to help Bill as much as I could.
Donnie Joseph signed his Midwest League top prospect card and I filled in three other needs.During the game,I checked the Keys team store and checked on the Carolina League prospect set,which to my surprise was in.
This set is released every year late in the season to most collectors dismay and usually many of the players in the set have moved on.
Lynchburg had just one player still there in the set-Donnie Joseph,so we had to wait until after the game.
Which of course went into extra innings and Joseph then blew a lead and Frederick won the game.
SO that meant I had to ask Joseph to sign after a heartbreaking loss.
Fortunately, for me another collector asked him first,so I didn't feel like a heel.
Joseph was cool as always,but I must admit I would have felt uncomfortable asking...

Thanks for Jason Christensen for his help with the Binghamton Mets team set as well other cool stuff.
Jason got Erik Arnesen on his Harrisburg card for me,Boston prospects Casey Kelly,Alex Wilson and Jose Iglasis,former Twins first rounders Kyle Gibson and Ben Revere,Pirate shortstop hopeful Chase D'Arnaud on his Bowman Chrome Blue card among others that he was kind enough to get for me and send me some extras as well...

The next signing front will take a look at the Lexington Legends,Greensboro Grasshoppers as well as more brought in from other friends...