Contest time! A win-win for everyone.

It's been a little while since I've done a contest, and as I was considering topics for a post today I came up with something that I think will be fun and useful for everybody involved.

I'd like to do something that highlights some really good up-and-coming and/or intermittently-followed blogs so those folks get some new readers and I get informed of what's worthwhile to follow.  That said, here's how it'll work:

Entry (1 per person):  pick any blog you're not already following and follow it.  Then leave a comment in this post that includes the name of the blog you followed.  Please note that my blogs aren't eligible, but you're already following me anyway, right?

Duration:  from the time of this post until 7/31 at 11:59 p.m. EST.  I'll announce the winner the following day.

Prize #1:  I'll randomize the names once all the entries are in--the usual three runs through random.org--and the winner will get a complete set of 2010 Topps Update baseball, plus some cool stuff of their favorite team, as much as possible from what I have left.

Prize #2:  The blog that gets the most new follows (minimum of 3, to keep it reasonable) will get this Jayson Werth 2010 Topps manubat, plus, again, whatever cool stuff I can find of their favorite team.

See how that helps everybody?  Find new blogs to enjoy, help OTHERS find new blogs to enjoy, help other blogs get more readers, and get a shot at some free swag, PLUS give one really lucky blog some free publicity and a fun reward.

So get out there, get following someone you're not currently reading and get those comments in!  (Please note I'm not responding to comments in the comments in this case, in order to keep entries uncluttered, but I'm responding to those with email addresses, plus I'm noting all entries below)

 

Entries:
1.  The Diamond King followed 26 Cent Summer
2.  BA Benny's Baseball Card Buffet followed Ryan's Pitch
3.  ARPSmith's Sportscard Obsession followed Drew's Cards
4.  My Cardboard Mistress followed Night Owl Cards
5.  My Sports Obsession followed Heartbreaking Cards of Staggering Genius
6.  Fantastic Catch followed BA Benny's Pack Rip Cafe
7.  The Daily Dimwit followed Poor Old Baseball Cards
8.  $30 a Week Habit followed Heartbreaking Cards of Staggering Genius
9.  Emerald City Diamond Gems followed Friars on Cardboard
10.  Cards on Cards followed ARPSmith's Sportscard Obsession
11.  Waxaholic followed The Snorting Bull
12.  Manupatches & Mustaches followed The Snorting Bull
13.  Canadian Cardboard followed $30 a Week Habit
14.  Tenets of Wilson followed 26 Cent Summer
15.  The Lost Collector followed Tenets of Wilson
16.  Justin's World followed Friars on Cardboard
17.  Plaschke, Thy Sweater is Argyle followed Ryan's Pitch
18.  My 2008 Topps Set Blog followed Hello, Victory!
19.  Nomo's Sushi Platter followed Phungo
20.  Play at the Plate followed The Snorting Bull
21.  Coot Veal and the Vealtones followed Cards That Never Were
22.  DocHoloday followed Waxaholic
23.  Dime Boxes followed Vintage Cubs Cards
24.  Cornado2010 followed Play at the Plate
25.  All Trade Bait, All the Time followed 26 Cent Summer
26.  Royals and Randoms followed Texas Rangers Cards
27.  Chipp 'n Dale followed Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz
28.  The Other World followed Andrew's Baseball Cards
29.  The Snorting Bull followed All Trade Bait, All the Time
30.  A Pack to Be Named Later (Jafronius) followed Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz
31.  Reader skroeker followed Fantastic Catch

Find this contest and others, as well as aggregated group breaks and more over at

A fine new blog run by these fine and familiar gents:

(Note:  please feel free to follow this blog as well, but out of fairness, it's not eligible for the contest)