Spring training is focus in Topps Bunt sets
By Chris Olds | Beckett Baseball Editor
Spring training means new faces in new places, new players hoping to make a mark and new cardboard.
While we’ve seen new cardboard with the release of three new baseball card sets as of Wednesday, that’s not all that’s new for collecting.
There has been a lot of spring training-related virtual cardboard to collect on Topps Bunt, the company’s trading card app.
Since last month, Bunt has introduced three new card sets showcasing scenes from this spring as well as notables who are in the news.
One of them is the Spring Training Postmark set that can feature memorable moments or just scenes one could expect to find at one of the many Cactus League or Grapefruit League ballparks. It’s a set that will be added to daily this spring with special moments or key games — such as Matt Harvey’s first start back from injury — present themselves.
Another set is Spring Fever — a virtual version of the cards found in the company’s card-shop focused bonus packs. And another is called Gearing Up — and it’s a Bunt-specific creation that highlights one player per team this season.
Why might these virtual cards matter to traditional collectors? Well, many have made real money selling these cards because just like in the real world there is demand for cards that dedicated users can’t pull for themselves. (Read more about Bunt here.)
Chris Olds is the editor of Beckett Baseball and Beckett Sports Card Monthly magazines. Have a comment, question or idea? Send an email to him at colds@beckett.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrisolds2009.
It still absolutely baffles me how virtual cards are a thing.
Its too bad some of the bunt cards look way better than the actual cards. The Trout above looks awesome but I don’t waste money if I am only paying for cyber air. If it was a real card though I would be all over trying to find one.
I agree with Larry….make your “real cards” as good as these. They look great. Good for those who enjoy playing trading and collecting virtually. Not my cup of tea though for various reasons.
Chris, are there plans to put these in the database w pricing? How about grading? (just kidding on the grading….trying to keep it light)
Agree with Larry and Joe. I mean how cool is that Trammel/Kaline card for us old timers? I’ve seen several Bunt cards on eBay that I was all set to bid on until I realized that they weren’t real.
If they were real cards, Topps would charge an arm and a leg to get them shipped like eTopps.
Remember eTopps, Topps? I’ve still got all these worthless rewards points that I can’t use because they abandoned the site and stopped updating the rewards catalog and took away the option to use them for a shipping discount.
“Fake” cards are selling for REAL money… some for over $100. Free to play, trading is fun and it is easy to move up in cards and build a collection. Spend a couple months and turn a profit or maybe you’ll just keep playing because you’re hooked. Honestly, besides being afraid of a “time suck” there isn’t a reason not to play if you love cards.