Framing a baseball

Create a Post
C

classygirl

Grumbler in Training
Joined
Nov 13, 2004
Posts
4
Loc
Cleveland
Hi all, I am new here! I have been framing for many years, and I am looking for some ideas! I have a shadow box that will include a jersey, tickets, photos, and a baseball. Now, my question is how would you approach the baseball in a large shadowbox? I am looking for some thoughts and suggestions to see what you all come up with!
Thanks!!
 
Hi classygirl,

Welcome to the Grumble!!
thumbsup.gif


First and most obvious would be to use tulle and wrap it around the baseball. You can make a hole in the back of the backmat about 1/3 the diameter of the ball and hot glue the ends of the tulle down to the back side of the mat.

There are a number of acrylic stands that are available to mount baseballs on but they may not work for your presentation.

You will get some other suggestions, I am sure, and you will find that this forum is a gold mine of information on whatever you come up against for framing, getting rid of squirrels in your shop, handling irate customers, or baking anything imaginable!!

Glad to have you with us.

Framerguy
 
The problem I have always had with baseballs in large shadowboxes is that the ball is the biggest thing in there and everything else gets shoved to the back. It gives what I call a "coffin" effect. I have always hated that. So I sink the ball deep into the mat then pin into the seams and slightly under the leathers. It holds strong and looks good.

ball.jpg


ball 1.jpg
 
I wouldn't know. I think they signed the balls with water colors and a bath sponge. I have framed 3 of them and they all look the same.
 
Wow, thank you all. I found a new place to hang out at! To answer Jerry, "by approach", I guess I was thinking both, placement and how to mount it when it is going to be around many other items. I agree with Jay H, that ball would create kind of a "coffin" effect, which was one of my concerns, the ball way up front and the rest of the stuff to the back. I just was not sure what I can do to avoid that, and, what is the best way to mount the ball in conservation materials.
I really, really appreciate the ideas!
 
I've shrink wrapped the ball and then placed it into a golden glove. The presentation is nice and the glove holds the ball at the right angle. A dab of silicone can secure it to the glove. They usually cost a couple of dollars and are found at most trophy companys...Mark
 
If the baseball is for effect and has no value I have cut it in half with my saw then siliconed it onto the mat.
 
No value would include no autograph and no tale of catching it in the stands in the bottom of the ninth... If it was purchased simply to add to the effect, fine, but if there is any aura of a tale, my advice is to leave it unaltered. This year's farm league foul ball can become a Hall of Famer's foul ball in a few years... it happens, and I don't want to be the framer that ruined it...
 
I will admit that conservation wasn't my absolute top priority but I didn't want to ruin the ball either.

The method I was shown a few years ago was to sew the ball in by going under the stitches.

The pinning method I used on this ball is just a version of that (a better one if you ask me).

If conservation were a major concern would there be a problem with pinning it like the above picture?
 
Originally posted by classygirl:
...I was thinking both, placement and how to mount it when it is going to be around many other items. I agree with Jay H, that ball would create kind of a "coffin" effect, which was one of my concerns, the ball way up front and the rest of the stuff to the back. I just was not sure what I can do to avoid that, and, what is the best way to mount the ball in conservation materials.
Click to expand...
The tulle mount is good for almost-perfect preservation. The only possible damage would be that over time, the nylon mesh could abrade the signatures (a real possibility) or the ball's surface (not likely -- it's pretty tough).

For the ball's tulle mount I suggest a 2" diameter "nest" hole. Note that the larger the nest hole, the stronger the mount -- until the ball falls through, of course.
icon45.gif


To avoid the "coffin effect", I suggest elevating the other items off the bachground. The photos may be float mounted with 1/2" spacers, for example. Also, the jersey may be "puffed" with polyfill after the board filler is installed.

This will be a big frame. Be sure to keep the balance of weight in mind as you design the layout. The heaviest item should be in the middle, or its weight offset by accumulated weight of other items. And to avoid tipping problems, use WallBuddies -- IMHO the best two-point hanging system for general purposes.
 
Create a Post
Back
Top