If you’ve ever wished you could time-travel through the golden age of sports, there’s a place in Apple Valley that might just grant that wish. Tucked away in a modest storefront, The Ballpark is more than a card shop—it’s a living museum of vintage sports memorabilia, curated with passion and packed with nostalgia. Walking into The Ballpark reminded me of stepping into an antique shop that is 100% sports memorabilia.
Despite its small footprint, the shop is bursting at the seams with inventory. Every shelf, wall, and display case is filled to the brim, creating an atmosphere that’s both cozy and overwhelming in the best way possible.
The heart and soul of The Ballpark is its owner, Cal Havercamp – a genuinely kind and knowledgeable collector who’s been running the shop for over 37 years and has loved every day of it. His origin story is as memorable as the memorabilia he sells. Back in 1988, Cal’s brother had a sizable card collection but dreamed of becoming an Elvis impersonator. He needed two costumes, each costing around $1,000. Cal stepped in, bought the card collection for $2,000, and used those cards to start his shop in St. Louis Park. They were located there until moving to Apple Valley in 2000.
The Ballpark isn’t just about looking for specific things you had in mind – it’s about discovering things you didn’t even know existed. From pristine vintage sets to autographed items by legends like Mickey Mantle, the shop offers a jaw-dropping array of collectibles (old pennants, bats, gloves, magazines, papers, photos, jerseys, seats from old stadiums, etc).
On my visit, I snagged a few singles for my 1965 Topps football set and upgraded my 1978 Topps Joe Theismann card. If you are into vintage, The Ballpark is a destination store. It’s a card shop and museum all in one and I’ll certainly be stopping there whenever I’m in the area going forward. They are located at 203 150th St W in Apple Valley and you can find more details in our Card Shop Directory.
