Vinyl pressings
by Womack & Womack · 1988
Life's Just A Ballgame was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 5 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
BRW 116 A-1U-1-1 NoeeSide A runout, stamped (Noee etched)
BRW 116 B-1U-1-1Side B runout, stamped
12 BRW 116 A -1U-1- 1 NoelRunout A Side - Stamped/Etched
12 BRW 116 B - 1U-1-1Runout B Side - Stamped
BRW 116 A - 2 SNARunout etched side A
BRW 116 B - 2 SNARunout etched side B
BRW 116-ALabel side A
BRW 116-BLabel side B
DM 611 912 A-1/10-88Runout side A, stamped
DM 611 912 B-1/10-88Runout side B, stamped
S 611 912 ALabel side A
S 611 912 BLabel side B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australia & New Zealand | 4th & Broadway 12 BRW 116 / Festival Records X 13345First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Australia & New Zealand | 4th & Broadway BRW 116 / Festival Records K 661First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1988 | Europe | Island Records 111 912 / 4th & Broadway 111 912First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Greece | Island Records 4902First year12" | 12" |
| 1988 | Spain | 4th & Broadway 1A 111912First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | UK | 4th & Broadway 12 BRW 116First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | 4th & Broadway BRW 116First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | 4th & Broadway 12 BRW 116First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | UK | 4th & Broadway BRW 116First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Europe | Island Records 611 912 / 4th & Broadway 611 912First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | 4th & Broadway BRW 116 / Island Records BRW 116First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of Life's Just A Ballgame are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, Europe, Australia & New Zealand, Greece and more. One of them is 4th & Broadway BRW 116, released October 10, 1988.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BRW 116, 12 BRW 116, 611 912, 111 912) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BRW 116 A-1U-1-1 Noee and BRW 116 B-1U-1-1. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
