WENTZVILLE, Mo. - TelAve -- The Certified Trading Card Association (CTCA), a 501(c)(6) trade association dedicated to supporting and elevating trading card professionals, today announced a new education partnership with Ballpark_Alex, a leading hobby advocate known for spotlighting fakes and championing collector protection.

Together, CTCA and Ballpark_Alex are launching the Collector Trust Series, a joint transparency education initiative focused on Transparency, Standards, and Accountability across the trading card industry.

The Collector Trust Series will deliver timely, practical education designed to help collectors make safer buying decisions, help local card shops share clear guidance with their communities, and encourage healthier norms across the hobby.

"Collectors and honest businesses deserve a hobby built on trust," said Nick Jarman, CEO of CTCA. "Ballpark_Alex has been consistently raising awareness around the real issues impacting collectors right now. CTCA's role is to help turn awareness into repeatable education and standards that shops can share and stand behind."

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Ballpark_Alex added: "I talk about these issues every day because they matter. This partnership is about taking what's happening in real time and giving collectors and shops clear, actionable tools. Trust is the foundation of the hobby—without it, everything breaks down."

What to expect

The Collector Trust Series will feature ongoing educational content addressing the most urgent trust issues in the hobby, including:

• Counterfeits and altered cards: how to spot common red flags and protect yourself when buying raw
• Grading trust and transparency: what collectors should know when submitting or buying graded cards
• Breaking and selling accountability: practical disclosures and expectations that support fair dealing

Where to follow and access resources

The home for the Collector Trust Series will be:

• https://www.thectca.org/trust

Collectors can also follow the series on Instagram:

• @Ballpark_Alex
• @thectca

About CTCA

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The Certified Trading Card Association (CTCA) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association created to unite, support, and elevate trading card retailers through industry standards, education, advocacy, and a trusted professional network. CTCA's mission is to help make collecting safer, smarter, and more enjoyable—while helping trading card businesses thrive through transparency and accountability.

Learn more at www.thectca.org.

AboutBallpark_Alex

Ballpark_Alex is a sports card collector and hobby advocate focused on exposing fakes, protecting collectors, and promoting integrity in the trading card community.

Media Contact

CTCA Media Inquiries
Nick Jarman
nick@thectca.org
(855) 904-CTCA

Ballpark_Alex Inquires

@Ballpark_Alex on Instagram
alexd513@gmail.com