Abstract: The present invention provides a removable sports item cover, preferably a ball or puck cover, and methods using the sports item cover that greatly facilitate the process of obtaining a autograph on the sports item at a sporting event. The ball cover can include a writing instrument attachment for removably securing a writing instrument such as a pen to the cover. The ball cover can include an autograph opening that allows the ball to be autographed without removing the cover. Therefore, the ball cover allows a fan to conveniently pass a sports item for signature to an athlete, along with an attached writing instrument, thereby facilitating the autograph process. The ball cover can also include a lanyard attachment that allows the ball to be worn around a fan's neck.