Collecting Game-used: A debut gem for Keston Hiura fans

Spring training items can be The Forgotten Ones when it comes to game-used stuff like jerseys, scorecards and bases. The jerseys can sometimes have numbers we don't associate with big names later (Do they count? Some say no.), while the scorecards can be messes of ink that kill all the fun details as the entire young roster gets to play while the stars are riding pine or not traveling at all. (Then there are the dreaded split-squad games ... don't get Buzz started there.)

But game-used bases? Well, they often don't get as much love as they do in-season, but they also might get used longer than the typical three-inning lifetime that's the norm for teams that sell them -- sometimes bringing them directly to fans' seats after they are bought in-game. That can mean you get more dirt, more grime and more moments attached to your game-used piece.

The base you see here? It's my first and it caught my attention mostly because of its price -- spring gamers can be cheaper, too -- but a glance at the box score and one player's game log made this one a no-brainer buy.

Keep reading to see the details ...

THE BASICS ...
Game-used base (MLB Authenticated): Milwaukee Brewers vs. San Francisco Giants, Feb. 23, 2018 (Scottsdale Stadium, Scottsdale, Ariz.)
Watch it in action: Nothing of note for video -- see the box score here

The matchup: No key play sequences for this item -- it was third base used for the entire game.

What's Buzz-worthy: I found this authenticated base on MLB Auctions (via the Giants) for the buy-it-now price of $100 -- or, in card terms, roughly the price of a new Topps Heritage High Number box -- and that's a bit of a steal. (Pun intended.) Bases can typically cost between $200-$300 (and often more) from a normal game -- and then MLB shipping costs can tack on some big-league surprises. While other spring bases can still be had for around the same price right now over there, this one was a little different to me after checking the box score. The name that jumped out at me? Keston Hiura, who was the ninth pick in the 2017 MLB Draft but didn't make his big-league debut until May 14 this year. Remember, this is a spring training base from last year. Out of curiosity, I checked Hiura's game log and was surprised by what I saw -- this was from the very first spring training game of his big-league career. Sure, it's not a jersey or a bat from that key game for a key player -- a 22-year-old rookie who's hitting .307 with 14 homers and 33 RBI in 57 games this season, by the way -- but I'll take it, especially for the price. ... Since the base was used for the entire game, it has a number of moments attached to it if those spring things matter to you -- home runs from Pablo Sandoval and Nick Hundley, for example. But there also are drawbacks to Cactus League items in terms of the jewels on the bases (they don't show both teams for these like they would during the regular season) as well as with photo-matching, especially early in the spring. There are only a few quick highlight clips online from this game -- one showing Hundley rounding the bases -- and there's nothing from Getty Images in terms of photography. (So, a photo match with it and Hiura ain't happening.) ... There are a lot of players who played in this game -- more than 50 -- and a number of them crossed third base, but the Hiura debut matters most. If you're wondering, he did reach third in the fourth inning as part of a debut game where he went 2-for-3 with an RBI. If he continues to play well like he has this year, this could be a strong pick-up down the road. If not, at least I got my first game-used base on the cheap -- far cheaper than many of Hiura's autographs are going for these days.

>> See all past Collecting Game-used stories from Buzz here

>> Chase Keston Hiura Rookie Cards in boxes here

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