If you've always wanted to attend an APBA convention or tourney (or any board game event) but weren't sure about committing, this interview could change your mind.   Two weeks before the annual APBA convention in Alpharetta, Georgia, three APBA Hall of Famers weighed in on the bonds built through board gaming.

One — Pete Simonelli, APBA Hall of Fame 2005 — goes back to the first-ever APBA convention in Philadelphia from June 15-17, 1973. He and Hall of Famer John Cochrane (2009) crossed paths at the third APBA convention in 1976. Hall of Famer Dr. Rebecca Peterson joined the fold years later but quickly rose through the ranks as a vital member of the APBA community in many ways — from "pinch player" to a regular competitor at the annual tourney.

Our conversation ranged from thoughts on starting regional tournaments to how to approach the annual convention as a first-timer — and much more. In this wide-ranging interview, you will learn about:  

• Robert Henry, Q&A columnist of the APBA Journal whose namesake regional APBA tournament outside Philadelphia has inspired a new generations of young players for 10 years and counting.
• The early days and promising future of Ed Zack's APBA baseball handbook.
• Tips for creating and sustaining a regional tournament.
• The evolution of APBA's conventions from 1973 to the present.  
• The evolution of APBA baseball cards from the 1950 season to present.  

Interview recorded June 11, 2022. Watch the YouTube version here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0odHYZ1AFo&ab_channel=APBAFootballClub

Zack APBA Baseball Handbook online: https://www.zackapbahandbook.org/

APBA Hall of Fame: http://apbagames.com/hall-of-fame

APBA Journal archive on USB (includes all issues from 1967 to 2002 and the special 70th anniversary issue from 2021):
https://www.ebay.com/itm/313444778731?hash=item48fac3c2eb%3Ag%3Ar4sAAOSwR5lgQ8vA