WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service will soon release first-of-a-kind stamps with the look — and feel — of actual balls used in eight popular sports. Available nationwide June 14, the Have a Ball! Forever stamps depict balls used in baseball, basketball, football, golf, kickball, soccer, tennis and volleyball.  

A special coating applied to selected areas of the stamps during the printing process gives them a texture that mimics the feel of a:

• baseball’s stitching;
• golf ball’s dimples;
• tennis ball’s seams;
• soccer ball or volleyball’s textured panels; and,
• the different raised patterns of a football, basketball and kickball.

News about the stamps is being shared on social media under the hashtag #Haveaballstamps.

The first-day-of-issuance ceremony will be held at 8 a.m. CDT, Wed., June 14, at the 117th U.S. Open Championship in Hartford, WI. The ceremony will be part of the U.S. Golf Association’s Flag Day celebration. The Postal Service is honored to be part of this special tribute to those who serve or have served in the military. Nearly one of seven postal employees served in the military.

To attend the standing room only ceremony, you must present a 2017 U.S. Open ticket for June 14, 2017, or a free special access ticket available for request only at usps.com/haveaball. Special access tickets are limited and are only good for June 14, 2017. Confirmed acceptance will be provided and is required for admission. The offer does not apply toU.S. Open ticket holders, active military — who will be admitted free — or children under 12 when accompanied by an adult ticket holder or badge holder.

The Forever stamps will be issued in panes of 16 that include two stamps of each design. While most traditional stamps are square or rectangular in design, these stamps will be round. Beginning May 14, customers may pre-order the stamps at usps.com/shop for delivery after the June 14 nationwide release.

Stamp artist Daniel Nyari of Long Island City, NY, and stamp designer Mike Ryan of Charlottesville, VA, worked with Art Director Greg Breeding of Charlottesville, VA to create the stamp images.

The Have a Ball! stamps are being issued as Forever stamps, which are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

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