After The Design Comes the Trade
Here at Signature Pins, we know a thing or two about designing trading pins for baseball and softball. As summer starts each year, we get requests for custom team trading pins in every shape and size imaginable, some of which have proven to be award-winning designs.
This Southern California Sandlots design, for example, won the Best Pin Award at the 2018 Triple Crown World Series. The big pupper dangling beneath the team’s emblem was inspired by “the beast” in the famous movie for which the team is named, The Sandlot, and this year the team is returning with the same signature design.
But even with an award-winning design at your fingertips, you still need to know the basics of trading pin etiquette before taking the field. Now that we’re in the midst of tournament season, and the Mid-Summer Classic is upon us, most teams have finished their trading pin designs and are ready to start trading. With this in mind, we think it’s the perfect time to talk about the unspoken rules and regulations of actually trading your pins out on the ball field.
Whether you’re new to the world of baseball and softball trading pins, or you’re just looking for a quick refresher, we believe the best way to illustrate the etiquette governing pin swaps is to examine how some of our more seasoned customers go about the process.
A Quick Guide on How to Trade Your Pins
There are a few useful tips related to baseball and softball trading pin etiquette that you should know right off the bat. If you have a favorite pin that you are not interested in trading, attach it onto your lanyard backward. This is a universal sign that a specific pin is not up for trade. Also, if you see a pin is a part of a matching pair (the designs belong together) try not to break up the set. Either trade for both pins in the set or leave them be. In most cases, trades will be one pin for one pin, so if you are hoping to trade for a pair of pins that go together, you’ll most likely have to offer at least two of your pins to seal the deal.
Whether you’re trading for a pair of pins or just one, it’s important to consider how you can trade for pins of equal value to one another. It doesn't make much sense to trade an oversized pin with options like glitter, spinners and danglers, for a small, more standard pin. At the end of the day, however, every pin’s value will be a matter of personal preference for design and artwork. Starting a conversation with potential traders and asking them about what they believe makes for a coveted design will help you figure out which of your pins will most likely catch their eye.
In general, trades usually happen between pins of similar size and with similar options. Additions like glitter enamel, cut to shape designs, blinkers and sliders are used to make a pin stand out from the crowd and increase the pin’s perceived value.
The last thing to cover in the realm of trading pin etiquette is courtesy and respect. Trading pins with players from other teams and spectators is a fun, interactive experience that gives people a chance to share stories and meet new people. Remember to respect other people’s point of view and boundaries. As it relates to softball and baseball pin trading, this means that you shouldn’t get grabby with other people’s pins. It’s fine to “ooh” and “aww” at the designs displayed on another person’s lanyard, but if you want a closer look, make sure to ask permission first.
Knowing the Basics of Trading Pin Etiquette
If you’re new to the world of custom trading pins, there is no need to be nervous. The tradition has gained so much popularity because it gives players a chance to meet new people, share their own stories and create new memories, so be ready to have some fun! To get you started, be sure to keep the basics of trading pin etiquette in mind:
- If you don’t want to trade a pin, attach it to your lanyard backward so people know it’s not available.
- Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder, but trades usually fall into similar size ranges with similar custom options.
- Be sure to ask potential pin traders what they like best in any design so you know which of your pins they will most likely want to trade for.
- Be mindful of other pin collectors’ and traders’ point of view and personal space.
- Have fun!
Now that tournament season is in full swing, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to build up your collection and practice making the perfect trade. If your team is still in need of a custom trading pin design, give us a call today! We’ll work with you every step of the way to meet your summer tournament deadlines and to create a beautiful design that will be the envy of all the pin traders you meet.
