2016 Hall of Fame Classic Features Baseball’s Biggest Stars in Memorial Day Weekend Legends Game

Cooperstown’s Legends Game Returns to Doubleday Field on May 28; Ticket Packages for Hall of Fame Classic Available Starting March 7

Baseball’s biggest stars will make their annual return to the home of baseball on Memorial Day Weekend.

It could only happen in Cooperstown, and it’s only at the Hall of Fame Classic.

Hall of Fame members Andre Dawson, Phil Niekro, Ryne Sandberg and Ozzie Smith will be joined by recently retired players representing all 30 major league teams for a seven-inning legends game on Saturday, May 28 at Cooperstown’s historic Doubleday Field. The 2016 Hall of Fame Classic, presented by Ford Motor Company, highlights a weekend of family entertainment programs designed to celebrate the timeless connection of baseball across generations.

The Classic, now in its eighth season and fueled by assistance from MLB, features a new start time this year, with the pre-game Home Run Contest at noon and first pitch scheduled for 1:05 p.m.

Hall of Famers Phil Niekro and Ozzie Smith return as team captains and managers. They will be joined by four additional Hall of Famers: Andre Dawson and Ryne Sandberg, along with two to be announced. Each will serve as coaches for the teams. The full roster of Classic players will be announced later this spring.

Tickets for the 2016 Hall of Fame Classic will go on sale at 9 a.m. EST Monday, March 7.

Players already committed to appear at the 2016 Hall of Fame Classic include:

Michael Barrett (Nationals), Brandon Backe (Astros), Travis Hafner (Indians), LaTroy Hawkins (Twins), Torii Hunter (Angels), Terrence Long (Athletics), Juan Pierre (Marlins), Kerry Robinson (Cardinals), Aaron Rowand (White Sox), Andy Sonnanstine (Rays), Alfonso Soriano (Yankees), Ryan Spilborghs (Rockies), Tanyon Sturtze (Blue Jays), Alan Trammell (Tigers) and Steve Woodard (Brewers).

Tickets for the Hall of Fame Classic are $12.50 for first and third base seats and $11 for general admission outfield seats.

Tickets will go on sale March 7 via phone at 1-877-726-9028 or at www.baseballhall.org. All tickets purchased online or via phone will be shipped starting April 29. Tickets purchased online or via phone prior to May 20 will be sent via U.S. Mail. Tickets purchased May 20 through May 26 must be picked up at the Doubleday Field Will Call tent beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 28.

Tickets will be available for purchase at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s Ticket Booth starting March 7 through Friday, May 27, and again at the Doubleday Field Will Call tent beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 28.

In addition to the Classic, Hall of Fame Classic Weekend features additional family events designed to promote interactivity between fans and their baseball heroes. Following the game on Saturday, the Hall of Fame will reprise its Night at the Museum program, now in its fourth season. Hall of Fame legends and former players will greet fans throughout the Museum on Saturday evening beginning at 6 p.m. Legends participants will canvass the Museum during the course of a two-hour event that will bring the Museum to life with special programs and interactions.

While the Night at the Museum program is not an autograph session, fans should remember to bring their camera to capture their special memories.

Tickets for Night at the Museum are priced at $50 for participants in the Museum’s Membership Program and $75 for non-Members. A ticket to Night at the Museum also includes a ticket to the Hall of Fame Classic. For information on Museum Membership, please visit www.baseballhall.org/support/become-a-member.

The Cooperstown Classic Clinic will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, May 27 at Doubleday Field. The Clinic, for children 7-12 years of age, gives youth participants a chance to receive hands-on training from several former major leaguers at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum has teamed up with Sports Travel and Tours to offer baseball fans a one-stop opportunity to purchase Classic Weekend travel packages. For more information or to plan a trip to Cooperstown, please call 1-888-310-HALL (4255). Membership participants receive a 5% discount on all their baseball travel packages.

Also as part of Classic Weekend, Hall of Fame members will lead an exclusive golf outing, with a limited number of spots available for golfers, at the beautiful Leatherstocking Golf Course on Otsego Lake. For more information on supporting the Hall of Fame through this exclusive golf outing, please call 607-547-0310.