Hall of Fame Classic Weekend

Family Entertainment Highlights Memorial Day Weekend in Cooperstown

With the arrival of Spring, now is the time to make your plans to be in Cooperstown, New York on Memorial Day Weekend, for a full slate of family friendly activities, May 24-25, as the National Baseball Hall of Fame honors its past with a special salute to the military, honoring the role the Armed Forces have played in our National Pastime’s history.

The fifth annual Hall of Fame Classic, presented by Ford Motor Company, will feature Hall of Famers Rollie Fingers, Goose Gossage, Rickey Henderson and Phil Niekro along with more than 20 additional players. The Hall of Fame Classic moves to Memorial Day Weekend this year as the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum celebrates the time-honored connection between the National Pastime and the nation’s military. 

MILITARY OFFERS

Cox and Gaston will reprise their 1992 World Series matchup as opposing managers and draw on talent such as David Arthur, Joel Bennett, Brian Boehringer, Bob Boone, Bret Boone, Bert Campaneris, Will Clark, Doug Creek, Jason Dighton, John Doherty, Robert Fick, Brian Fisher, Dave Fleming, Chuck Goggin, Jeffery Hammonds, Todd Haney, Jim Hannan, Blake Helm, Robby Hisert, Al Levine, Jim Leyritz, Orestes Marrero, T.J. Mathews, Brian McRae, Desi Relaford, Dennis Rasmussen, Benito Santiago, Mark Whiten and Dmitri Young.

We are looking forward to having you join us for a full lineup of family programming over Memorial Day Weekend, highlighted by the new “Night at the Museum” exclusive experience, as baseball history comes to life, Saturday evening, May 25, following the Classic game.

Four soldiers from the 10^th Mountain Division will also participate in the Classic. The 10^th Mountain Division Color Guard and Band from nearby Fort Drum, N.Y., will be featured in pregame ceremonies – including the 12 p.m. Cooperstown Game Day Parade on Main Street – as the Museum presents a salute to our Armed Forces. 

As part of that tribute, the Hall of Fame and the village of Cooperstown will host the “Wall That Heals,” a 250-foot replica of the original Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. The exhibit, which travels across America, will make its Central New York debut with the visit to Cooperstown. The “Wall That Heals” will be on display Saturday, May 25 through Monday, May 27, open 24 hours a day and free of charge in the Doubleday Field parking lot.  

From 7-9 p.m. on May 25, a lucky 1,000 visitors will have the opportunity to experience the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum like never before, as Hall of Famers and former major leaguers share their stories in the Museum, while exhibits come to life through artifacts and special gallery talks.

Now’s your chance to ensure you’ll be a part of the Hall of Fame’s amazing salute to the military and the Fifth Annual Hall of Fame Classic, along with the new Night at the Museum experience, by purchasing the “Let’s Play Two!” package.

“Let’s Play Two” offers a first or third base line ticket to the Hall of Fame Classic and admission to A Night at the Museum for just $50. Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-877-726-9028.

The Hall of Fame Classic, presented by Ford Motor Company, will be played at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 25 and will feature Hall of Famers and former major league players in a seven-inning exhibition game at historic Doubleday Field, preceded by the popular hitting contest and Cooperstown Game Day Parade, which starts at 12 noon.

Hall of Fame Classic Weekend events include:

Friday, May 24
4 p.m.

Legends for Youth Skills Clinic at Doubleday Field, featuring on-field instruction by former big leaguers for kids 5-12. Admission is free but advance registration is required by calling 607-547-0397.

• Clinicians: Brian Boehringer, Doug Creek, John Doherty, Chuck Goggin, Jim Hannan, Todd Haney, Jim Leyritz, Dennis Rasmussen, Dmitri Young and Mark Whiten.

Saturday, May 25
12 p.m.

Cooperstown Game Day Parade, Main Street in Cooperstown. The 10th Mountain Division Band and Color Guard will perform and join the Hall of Fame Classic participants in the parade. Admission is free.

1 p.m.

Legends Hitting Contest, Doubleday Field. This popular event prior to the Hall of Fame Classic features former big leaguers taking swings at the fences. Admission is included with a ticket to the Hall of Fame Classic.

2 p.m.

Hall of Fame Classic, Doubleday Field. Tickets are $12.50 for first- and third-base seats, $11 for outfield seats. Call 1-877-726-9028 or visit www.baseballhall.org to purchase tickets.

5:30 p.m.

Family Catch, Doubleday Field. Enjoy a game of catch on the historic ground of Doubleday Field. Free for Classic ticket holders; advance registration required by calling 607-547-0397.

7-9 p.m.

A Night at the Museum, National Baseball Hall of Fame. Meet-and-greet Hall of Famers and former big league stars in this unique event set against the hallowed halls of the Museum. Photographs are encouraged. Call 1-877-726-9028 or visit www.baseballhall.org for tickets.

Sunday, May 26

Cooperstown Golf Classic – Play a round of golf with Hall of Famers on the historic Leatherstocking Golf Course in Cooperstown. The perfect gift or a chance to play with your favorite foursome, the Cooperstown Golf Classic features a scramble format with Hall of Famers as the captain of each team. Event limited to 24 golfers. For more information or to register, call 607-547-0310.