RookieGraph™
RookieGraph™
Any autographed item that is not a game-related ball would fall under
this service including but not limited to items such as bats, helmets,
photos, jerseys, etc. In addition, unlike the RookieBall service, the
autograph here does not have to relate to the sport. For example, a
basketball rookie could sign a baseball and that baseball would qualify
under this RookieGraph service.
How the System Works
Here
is the general requirement and explanation of how this program works.
The PSA/DNA definition is as follows: Any item that is autographed and
received by PSA/DNA prior to the beginning of the athlete's second full
season of play may be submitted under these services. There are, of
course, rules that will apply to each sport as the rules in each sport
vary.
Any
autographed item by a rookie athlete must be received by PSA/DNA prior
to his or her team's Opening Day/Night during the athlete's second full
season. The key issue under this rule is the definition of "second full
season." In each of these respective sports there are rules that pertain
to and define this issue.
For example, in baseball, a position
player must exceed at least 45 days of service on a major league roster
and/or 130 official at-bats while a pitcher must exceed at least 50
innings-pitched in order for the rookie clock to start ticking. If a
baseball player reaches those criteria, the following season, they are
no longer considered a rookie.
It is fairly commonplace for a
baseball player to be called up from the minors in late-September for a
few games yet, the following season, that player is still considered a
rookie. In fact, there have been many Rookie of the Year award winners
who have experienced this, including the likes of Mark McGwire who
played several games in 1986 but did not qualify as a rookie until
1987.
Keep in mind this important note: The autograph does not
have to be signed during the actual rookie season. PSA/DNA's requirement
is that the autograph be signed at any time prior to the second full
season of play. What this means is that any autograph received by
PSA/DNA within this time frame, even when the athlete is in the minor
leagues or in college, will be acceptable.
Important Note: Remember
that players who, for example, play overseas and/or in other leagues
are still considered a rookie under the rules. For example, Hideki
Matsui of the New York Yankees and Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners
were still considered rookies during their first full year in MLB
despite having years of experience in Japan.