Donruss no longer has a Major League Baseball license, but the company is producing a set of cards later this year.
Donruss takes to the baseball field again with the release of 2007 Elite Extra Edition – a draft picks set that includes the top college and high school picks from the annual amateur draft.
The set includes more than 25 of the first-round picks from the 2007 amateur baseball draft, including the Top 10 picks. Elite Extra Edition will include autographs, memorabilia cards and other short-printed inserts.
“College Baseball is in the middle of an unprecedented boom period, and it’s never been more popular than it is today,” says Donruss/Playoff spokesman Scott Prusha. “Two of the top three single-day attendance records at the College World Series were set this year. Elite Extra Edition captures the stars of college baseball while also highlighting many of the top high school players who were drafted and signed as well.”
The product is scheduled for a December release.
While the majority of cards in the 100-plus base set are baseball draft picks, the “Extra” in Elite Extra Edition includes a handful of 2007 basketball draft picks as well as other athletes, coaches and celebrities representing their college affiliations through memorabilia cards and autographs. Collegiate Patches – autographed embroidered patches linking legendary coaches or celebrities with their affiliated colleges – will make their trading card debut in Elite Extra Edition.
However, 2007 Elite Extra Edition is clearly driven by baseball. “The autograph checklist is deep, and for many players this represents their only autographed card to date,” says Donruss Baseball Brand Manager Ben Ecklar. “I think collectors are going to appreciate having Elite Extra Edition back in play.”
