By ALEX SPONSELLER Michael Osacky, who runs the sports-based company Baseball in the Attic, was recently named the lead appraiser for PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator), which is one of the leading authenticators of sports memorabilia in the country.

Osacky will be traveling the country in the coming months making appearances and meeting with clients to help authiciate various forms of sports merchandise, and he will be in Rhode Island on Dec. 17-18, as well as other New England locations in the following weeks.

Osacky hopes to hear from locals who are interested in sharing their sports memorabilia for appraisal and more information on their products. He and his company appraise items ranging from baseball cards, to signed balls, posters, and many more pieces of sports history. The business has been especially busy throughout the year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is going crazy. Over the summer, there was the federal stimulus money being sent as checks. People began spending that money on sports memorabilia since many people were not going out to restaurants and really leaving their house. People began to go onto EBay and buy sports cards, buying all of these different types of sports collectibles,” said Osacky. “We’re additionally seeing a greater interest in this market from celebrities and athletes that are selling off merchandise on Instagram,YoutTube, Facebook, it’s becoming a three-headed monster.

If you are interested in meeting with Osacky regarding merchandise, he can be reached on the PSA website or via email at Michael@baseballintheattic.com.

Osacky is also committed to ensuring safe visits, whether be at a clients home or in a public setting, to accommodate the pandemic. He will be able to discuss specifics on a case-by-case basis. Oftentimes, the item or collection will also determine the location of the visit.

When reaching out to schedule an appointment, you must provide a description and photo image of the item that you wish to have appraised. Osacky will provide preliminary information over email and will schedule a follow up with a written appraisal.

Osacky looks forward to getting to work in his new position and seeing what Rhode Island sports fans have to offer.

“It can be anything as long as it’s sports-related,” Osacky said. “It can be cards, a bobblehead collection, signed balls, I have appraised a Kentucky Derby saddle, World Series rings, awards, anything that has to do with sports. Just because COVID is happening, it should not deter people from contacting me to see what their items are worth.”