How to Tell If Baseball Merchandise Is Real or Fake

Baseball fans love to rep their teams — whether it’s with jerseys, hats, or collectibles. But with so much counterfeit merch out there, it’s easy to get scammed. If you’re spending money, especially on licensed gear, you want the real deal. Here’s how to tell if baseball merchandise is authentic or a knockoff.

✅ 1. Check for Official Licensing Tags

Real MLB merchandise always includes official tags or holograms:

MLB hologram stickers (on jerseys, hats)
Licensed MLB hang tags
Branding from Nike, New Era, Fanatics, or Mitchell & Ness

If any of these are missing or look off, beware.

✅ 2. Examine the Quality of Stitching and Materials

Look for:

Clean, tight stitching
Embroidered logos, not printed
Durable fabric (especially jerseys)

Counterfeit gear often has loose threads and low-quality prints.

✅ 3. Compare Prices

If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.

Authentic jerseys are rarely cheap. Avoid suspicious deals on eBay, social media, or unfamiliar websites unless verified.

✅ 4. Inspect Logos and Team Colors

Fake merch often has:

Off-colored logos
Blurry or stretched designs
Inaccurate team fonts or names

Compare with official team stores to verify.

✅ 5. Use the MLB Authentication System

Especially for collectibles:

Look for a hologram ID
Go to mlb.com/authentication
Enter the code to verify

No code = high risk of fakes.

✅ 6. Buy From Trusted Sources

Best options:

MLBShop.com
Fanatics.com
Official team stores
Dick’s Sporting Goods

Stick with stores that guarantee returns and authenticity.

🎯 Final Thoughts

Fake baseball merch might look okay at first glance, but you’re wasting money and missing out on the real fan experience. Follow these tips, and you’ll shop smarter, support your team, and rock legit gear with pride.