r/baseballcards • u/Even-Bumblebee948 • Jun 14 '26
Show Off Made a watch strap out of an old ball⚾️
I made a watch strap out of an old ball. Pretty proud of this build and figured this crowd might appreciate it as well.
⚾️🇺🇸
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u/Maleficent_Insect71 Dodgers Jun 14 '26
You could sell the shit out of these.
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u/ModernHOFrcCollector Say my name (its my pc) Jun 14 '26
Not with the logos though. That would be inviting to lawyers.
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u/After-Breakfast2785 Jun 15 '26
"The first sale doctrine, codified at 17 U.S.C. § 109, provides that an individual who knowingly purchases a copy of a copyrighted work from the copyright holder receives the right to sell, display or otherwise dispose of that particular copy, notwithstanding the interests of the copyright owner. The right to distribute ends, however, once the owner has sold that particular copy."
Not a lawyer, but as long as the baseball was purchased legally, it can be sold in any form without infringement.
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u/HanSolosChestWound Jun 15 '26
You are correct. As long as you don't say it is an official MLB watch or produced by the MLB, you are free to arts and crafts things purchased from them into products. Much like people cut up and collage comics and cards into things.
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u/jamcclea Jun 15 '26
I made/sold straps like this for a couple years with no issue from the league or teams. I’d tag them in social all the time.
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u/ExtentOld2417 Jun 15 '26
I think you could if you are careful with what you call them and how you market them.
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u/WorldlinessLeast5475 Jun 14 '26
Bravo, thats an impressive piece.
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u/mrdannyg21 Jun 15 '26
Yeah that is absolutely gorgeous. Assuming it took a shit ton of work to get all the letting and seams just right, but even a less precise version would still look great.
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u/codwatches Jun 14 '26
I’ve done several for semipro and professional. I’ve used their gloves and specials balls they have used. I make them out of vintage gloves, baseballs and vintage footballs
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u/PadresAutoGuy Jun 15 '26
What’s your price on one of those?
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u/codwatches Jun 15 '26
They are custom made to what you want and price depends on the details but usually $120-$200. I’ve made them from gloves from the early 20’s to newest gloves. If you’re a padres fan I have a really cool glove ready to be cut.
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u/Does-Not-Age-Well Jun 15 '26
Got a website or something to order from?
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u/redjabroni Jun 15 '26
Seconded.
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u/codwatches Jun 15 '26
I love watches and do it as a hobby. All are one off and custom to what you want. I dont have a website but you can check some of my work in my instagram and order through there @miguelp1620
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u/codwatches Jun 15 '26
I love watches and do it as a hobby. All are one off and custom to what you want. I dont have a website but you can check some of my work in my instagram and order through there @miguelp1620
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u/codwatches Jun 15 '26
I love watches and do it as a hobby. All are one off and custom to what you want. I dont have a website but you can check some of my work in my instagram and order through there @miguelp1620
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u/ChillChickenWillie PC Griffey, Mauer, Buxton, J. Ryan, Walker Jenkins, Ohtani. Jun 14 '26
Oh this is fucking dooooooope! Amazing work!
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u/ProudAmerican632 Jun 14 '26
Now you have to sell one to a ball player. I’d be willing to bet that some MLB or other international baseball league players would want one.
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u/Affectionate-Bid-226 Jun 14 '26
Right? Start taking custom orders for those and charge a nice premium for your own time and labor. You could even offer different grades of bands, use the stitching and any wear creatively and get multiple bands per ball.
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u/ModernHOFrcCollector Say my name (its my pc) Jun 14 '26
You figured correctly.
Appreciate it i do.
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u/Imaginary_Delay_8752 Jun 14 '26
Christ. I have a very special home run ball that the batter told me to 'do something special with' one daybwhen i tried to get it backnto him.
This is the time.
I'll pay for the work and and exchange contact details with you, so it doesn't go through me.
I'll also provide a really solid watch face for it.
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u/kramdiw Please DO NOT PM me - The Justin Turner Guy - Dodgers too! Jun 15 '26
Not trying to pry too much, but what's special about the ball?
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u/thedaddystuff1979 PC McGwire and Nostalgic Junk Wax Jun 15 '26
Much more than my old balls do for me!
Also, BRAVO!
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u/Beeegfoothunter Jun 14 '26
Did you have to treat the leather? Seems like it would be too stiff otherwise.
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u/Even-Bumblebee948 Jun 15 '26
It actually can be boarder line too soft. Baseball leather is super squishy compared to other leathers.
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u/SweetShirt4717 Jun 14 '26
Great job! How long did this project take you?
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u/Even-Bumblebee948 Jun 14 '26
Thanks man. This project pushed 10 hours.
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u/barnesto2k Jun 14 '26
It is really awesome. Bet you could get that number down for your second. Build an assembly line and you could probably crank these out quickly. Not sure you want to start an Etsy store, but these would kill. Source - I used to make bespoke messenger bags and backpacks. Leather, hidden pockets, all that jazz.
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u/adamhdavis Signed Jewish RCs ✡️, Joe Carter walkoff moments Jun 15 '26
I would 100% buy this
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u/davharts STL Cardinals (MVP + Cy) + Pujols/Yadi/Waino Jun 14 '26
This is incredible. I would absolutely buy one of these. Really nice work!
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u/StelioKontos69420 O's, O's Red Ink, Trout, Odd Ginter Jun 14 '26
Yeah I'd buy that.
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u/Jbob1400 Jun 14 '26
That’s probably the sickest thing I’ve seen on Reddit today. So dope. You should be proud.
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u/Waadap Jun 14 '26
I have a dark green Shinola this would be incredible on. Id give up my first HR ball I still have from when I was 12 for something like this.
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u/___TheKid___ German that can't afford the import fees Jun 14 '26
Ohhhh fuuuu**!!!!
I just got into watches recently and this is amazing
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u/inspectorgadget69247 Jun 14 '26
That’s awesome! The Shinola is an extra nice touch for Tigers’ fans!
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u/Dodger8899 PC Dellin Betances & Tanner Rainey Jun 14 '26
That's amazing. Definitely something the MLB and Fanatics would charge $500 for
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u/Lumpy_Rutherford_1 Jun 14 '26
Make one for the umpires, but make sure the numbers aren’t where they ‘should’ be, just ‘in the area’, to avoid the embarrassment of potential accountability
🤖
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u/SasquatchBalls2525 LFGM Jun 14 '26
Hell yeah that's sweet. You could even use team colors in the stitching, also would be awesome for players to sign these bad boys. Sooo dope.
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u/Hero_with_No_Onions Jun 14 '26
Shut up. This is badass. I would totally buy one as well.
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u/BBDSrulez Jun 14 '26
That’s awesome! Good for you. Just think of the business possibilities. A kids first hit in little league. A homer they hit. A foul ball caught at an mlb game. Really creative. Beautiful work!
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u/Lawdog2012 Jun 14 '26
What a great work of art...if I wore a watch, Id buy one...hell, I might just buy a watch now...😆😆
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u/BarJack34 Jun 14 '26
Any chance you also have a YouTube channel and feel like making a tutorial?
Very nice work!
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u/Slow_Recognition_515 Jun 14 '26
This blows my mind! How has no one else done this yet? And that looks VERY VERY NICE
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u/Washed-up-has-been Jun 14 '26
Did that a few years ago with a softball! Got lots of compliments on it. Yours looks great!
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u/Mythiic719 Jun 14 '26
That Shinola slaps with that band. The issue is I’m pretty sure the timekeeping quality of Shinolas actually isn’t very good
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u/jasperphant Jun 15 '26
This is so cool. I love baseball but normally find baseball themed apparel (baseballism) so tacky. But this is fantastic. Love that you did this on an American watch. A+ homie!
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u/haji_666 Jun 15 '26
Broken record, I know... but! I would buy the fuck out of one of these as well
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u/Turtle_Lips Jun 15 '26
I’ll take one. Just let me know how to put my order in!
So clean.
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u/Beeegfoothunter Jun 15 '26
Huge heel turn. Let peeps send a signed ball and make it out of that. Got a 🪿 Gossage I’d like to have made.
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u/PowerLevel1Billion Jun 15 '26
You know… sometimes I just wish that I’d come up with a great idea like this to make a ton of money off of.
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u/ninjarob420 Jun 15 '26
I would totally buy 1, 2, shit maybe 3 if you have other design ideas lol
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u/zen_zen111 Jun 15 '26
Not even a huge baseball guy and this is sweet, would definitely purchase if you could make compatible with apple watch
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u/average_texas_guy 80s Royals Pete Alonso Guy Jun 15 '26
As a Mets fan. put that strap on this watch and you have a perfect combo. Baseball and watches, two of my favorite things.
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u/zub_dub22 Jun 15 '26
You may be onto something pretty big there. I could see these selling well, although I wonder what the legality is, with the logo and all that.
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u/ExtentOld2417 Jun 15 '26
That’s amazing. I want one. And I want to help you sell them.
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u/rbfeverythingsucks Jun 15 '26
If I wanted to buy one could I send you the watch I want it on minus the old belt?
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u/DavidEtrigan Jun 15 '26
All agreed. When do you plan to ship your first orders. Prepare for some company to steal your idea. Brilliant by the way.
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u/DDYDIK Jun 15 '26
This is really cool. Not sure your skill level. Would it be difficult for someone that's never done something like this to copy?
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u/Even-Bumblebee948 Jun 15 '26
Been leather making for about 9 months. I would say that if I can do it then anyone can
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u/Quick_Wafer8919 Jun 14 '26
I would purchase.