Beckett Rookie Certification

Baseball, Basketball, Football and Hockey Autographs

Autographs must be received by Beckett Authentication Services prior to the Opening Day during the athlete's second full season in order to qualify for Beckett Rookie Certification.

For baseball autographs specifically, a player is no longer considered a rookie if they exceed 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the Major Leagues. The player also cannot accumulate more than 45 days on the active roster (excluding time in the military service and/or time on the disabled list).

Also worth noting, players from overseas and/or other leagues can still be considered a rookie despite years of experience, as they have not surpassed the MLB limitations as stated above. It is also true that while a player can be called up to the majors late in September for a few games, they are still considered a rookie on opening day of the next season.

For hockey autographs specifically, a player is no longer considered a rookie when they have played more than 25 NHL games in any preceding season, or six or more NHL games in each of any two preceding seasons. Also, once a player turns 26 years of age (by September 15th of that season) they are no longer considered a rookie.

Miscellaneous Sports Autographs

For all other sports like boxing, golf, racing and tennis, the player will no longer be considered a rookie exactly one year from their first professional appearance.