A Little League Championship Day at Upper Deck

In case you missed it, we had some visitors in the building yesterday. To let you in on a little behind-the-scenes secret, our office started buzzing like crazy when Chula Vista’s Park View All-Star Little League World Series Champions arrived; it was like getting a visit from rock stars, honestly. Seeing people more than half your age, from your own community who play a sport you love and won a world championship in is pretty powerful stuff.

Introspective emotions aside, it was a great visit. The champs were greeted by Upper Deck staff, got to take home all kinds of goodies, and most importantly, posed for their own baseball cards. We have athletes in here all the time, and don’t get me wrong, guys like LeBron and Kobe are always smiling and enthusiastic when they visit. But you could tell these kids were extra excited to get a tour of our facility here in Carlsbad, and get their likeness on some Upper Deck cards.

Check out some of the photos below, and click here to see a video of the event from our local CBS San Diego news coverage. In the clip, you’ll see the process of creating the card, and a sample of the final product!

The Gang’s All Here: The entire 12-player Park View All-Stars Little League lineup, plus manager Oscar Castro, left, and coach Ric Ramirez, pose in front of Upper Deck headquarters following their individual trading card shoots.
The Gang’s All Here: The entire 12-player Park View All-Stars Little League lineup, plus manager Oscar Castro, left, and coach Ric Ramirez, pose in front of Upper Deck headquarters following their individual trading card shoots.
Portrait Time: Park View Little League All-Star Jensen Peterson strikes a pose for his new Upper Deck baseball card.
Portrait Time: Park View Little League All-Star Jensen Peterson strikes a pose for his new Upper Deck baseball card.
Computer Savvy: Several of the Park View All-Stars crowd around art designer Richard Gassman’s cubicle inside Upper Deck’s Prepress department to see their cards come to life.
Computer Savvy: Several of the Park View All-Stars crowd around art designer Richard Gassman’s cubicle inside Upper Deck’s Prepress department to see their cards come to life.
Man-Fan: Park View center fielder Markus Melin shows he’s a fan of Manny Ramirez’s with his newfound UDx baseball card.
Man-Fan: Park View center fielder Markus Melin shows he’s a fan of Manny Ramirez’s with his newfound UDx baseball card.
Nice Haul: Park View players Bulla Graft, Kiko Garcia, Seth Godfrey and Nick Conlin make off with some cool Upper Deck stash.
Nice Haul: Park View players Bulla Graft, Kiko Garcia, Seth Godfrey and Nick Conlin make off with some cool Upper Deck swag.
With Upper Deck’s Carrie Peterson typing in cardback quotes, and local news crews within earshot, four of the Park View All-Stars provide copy for their cardbacks.
With Upper Deck’s Carrie Peterson typing away, and local news crews within earshot, four of the Park View All-Stars provide copy for their cardbacks.