Fundraiser may be steal for collectors

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - These days, what can you get for $20 dollars? How about an autographed A-Rod or Nolan Ryan baseball?

A Buffalo Bisons' fundraiser could turn out to be a steal for collectors.

There's a good chance that there will be screams of excitement before the first pitch is thrown at Friday's Bisons' game at Coca-Cola Field; the reason is the Buffalo Bisons' second annual Mystery Ball Fundraiser.

Buffalo Bisons Public Relations Director Brad Bisbing said, "When you come in the gate, you have the opportunity to purchase a ticket for $20 dollars that goes to charity, take that ticket to a redemption center and get a gift wrapped baseball that 150 people autographed."

The autographs are from people like Don Mattingly, Manny Ramirez, Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Joe Torre, Nolan Ryan, and even Terrell Owens.

>> click here for a full list of the autographed balls available

Bisbing said, "Anyone can get autographed football from Terrell Owens. This is an autographed baseball. Not too many have an autographed baseball from Terrell Owens. So this will definitely be a collectors item."

There are more than 500 autographed balls from the New York Mets, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Dodgers, Buffalo Bisons, Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres.

Each ball also comes with a card of authenticity for collectors. Since they are gift wrapped, you don't know which one you'll get, unless you take part in the silent auction, then you know what you're buying. Otherwise, there is a 10 ticket limit, and once all the tickets are sold, that's it.

Bisbing said, "We sold out of baseballs before first pitch last year."

All the money raised, will benefit Western New York United Against Drug and Alcohol Abuse. Gates open for Friday's game at 6:30 sharp. For a full list of autographed balls, click here.