By now, most of you know about the incredible "Black Betsy" sale. Joe Jackson's prized bat sold for $577,610, setting a new standard for game-used baseball bats. The buyer, Rob Mitchell, has said that he feels the bat is worth "somewhere between $1.7 and $4 million" and he feels he received a great bargain.

Within the last couple of months, in addition to the Jackson sale, four more game-used bats have sold in excess of $100,000. Currently, each bat sale represents the top five prices realized for game-used bats in hobby history. Auction and retail price levels have steadily increased over the last few years as well.

Is this sudden interest in game-used bats here to stay or a fad?

Without question, game-used bats have become increasingly popular over the last few years. Why? Authentication, education, and security with the first two subjects allowing for the last factor to emerge. By the way, the answer to the above question is a resounding yes. Game-used bat collecting is no fad, it is definitely here to stay.

Here's why:

1. Authentication
   Like any other collectible field, proper authentication is a necessity for the field to flourish. Now that a couple of true experts have stepped forward in the hobby, collectors can feel safe knowing that there is somewhere to go and someone to ask if they are not sure about their lumber.
2. Education
   A recently as 10 years ago, there was little to no information available to the bat collector or to the collector contemplating a bat collection. Today, while information is still coming out, bat books and bat price guides (such as the first monthly bat price guide in Sports Market Report) are starting to surface as demand increases. More information allows collectors to educate themselves about the field.
3. Security
   As mentioned above, authentication and education via bat collecting information gives the hobbyist a feeling of security that simply wasn't there in days past. In fact, I have received more faxes, letters, and phone calls from hobbyists contemplating bat collecting than ever before. They don't have to "be in the dark" anymore, they can be confident that their money is being well spent.

Bat collecting, with the aftermath of "Black Betsy," should be interesting. I expect a jump in prices once again for quality vintage bats and unique modern lumber as well. What the bat collectors seeks is a true piece of the action, a tangible piece of baseball history touched by the player and used to make their mark in the game. If you ask me, the bat collecting base and market values show a lot of room for potential. When the field starts to mature even more, look out.

Click here for an in-depth article on the sale of "Black Betsy."

The Top 5 Game-Used Bat Prices of All-Time

Babe Ruth Steals the Show at Hunt Auction

During the latest Hunt Auction, Babe Ruth, once again, proved his worth to collectors in a number of areas. From autographs to photos, Ruth items seemed to perform very well across the board. The highlights include the famous 1915 "Tavern" photograph of Babe Ruth with his father, showing a striking resemblance to each other. Here's a quick list of highlights from the sale:

Black Betsy

Joe Jackson by A.K. Miller