Big Leagues Come to Cooperstown for May 25 Hall of Fame Classic at Doubleday Field

(COOPERSTOWN, NY) – Thirty big league teams. All in baseball’s hometown.

That’s the Hall of Fame Classic, returning for the 11th year May 25 at Cooperstown’s historic Doubleday Field.

Six Hall of Fame legends will be joined by players representing all 30 Major League Baseball teams at the Hall of Fame Classic, presented by the Ford Motor Company. The Classic will feature Hall of Famers Bert Blyleven, Rollie Fingers, Goose Gossage, Trevor Hoffman, Tim Raines and Alan Trammell as managers and coaches for the seven-inning legends game as part of Hall of Fame Classic Weekend, May 24-26.

Tickets for the Hall of Fame Classic are now on sale via phone at (607) 207-9519 or here and are $12.50 for first baseline seats and $11 for outfield seats. Seating along the third baseline will not be available, as the Village of Cooperstown is coordinating ongoing renovations of Doubleday Field in preparation for the ballpark’s 100th anniversary in 2020.

The Classic, fueled by assistance from MLB, features the pregame Home Run Derby at noon, followed by first pitch at 1:05 p.m.

Players already committed to appear at the 2019 Hall of Fame Classic include:

Andy Ashby (Padres), Carlos Baerga (Red Sox), Grant Balfour (Rays), Michael Barrett (Nationals), Orlando Cabrera (Angels), Jeff Francis (Rockies), Corey Hart (Brewers), Koyie Hill (Cubs), Orlando Hudson (Blue Jays), Brandon Inge (Tigers), Charles Johnson (Marlins), Kyle Kendrick (Phillies), Terrence Long (Athletics), Cristhian Martínez (Braves), Kevin Mench (Rangers), Joe Nathan (Twins), A.J. Pierzynski (White Sox), Ryan Rowland-Smith (Mariners), Steve Sax (Dodgers), Chris Snyder (Diamondbacks), Cory Snyder (Indians), Willy Taveras (Astros), Mark Teahen (Royals), Brett Tomko (Reds), Jack Wilson (Pirates) and Todd Zeile (Mets).

Roster additions will be announced in the coming weeks.

The 2019 Hall of Fame Classic highlights a weekend of family entertainment programs designed to celebrate the timeless connection of baseball across generations. In addition to the Classic game, Hall of Fame Classic Weekend features the following additional family events designed to promote interactivity between fans and their baseball heroes.

Night at the Museum - SOLD OUT
Following the game on Saturday, the Hall of Fame will reprise its Night at the Museum program, now in its seventh 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 family memories.

BASE Race
The Hall of Fame’s popular BASE Race returns as part of Hall of Fame Classic Weekend festivities. The Hall of Fame, along with Cooperstown’s Clark Sports Center, will present the eighth annual BASE Race charity runs – a 5k fun run and competitive 10k event – on Saturday, May 25, starting and ending at historic Doubleday Field. The race events benefit the Museum’s “Be A Superior Example” program promoting healthy lifestyle choices for individuals of all ages. Registration for the 2019 BASE Race is $25 and $55 for families, and signups are now being accepted online at http://baserace.itsyourrace.com. Each registered runner will receive a race medal (for the first 300 runners to register), goodie bag and a free general admission ticket to the Hall of Fame Classic. On race day, registration will be $30 for individuals and $65 for families. Additional details are available by calling the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum at 607-547-0329 or the Clark Sports Center at 607-547-2800.

Cooperstown Classic Clinic
The Cooperstown Classic Clinic will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, May 24 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 Clinic is a free event but preregistration is required. To register, please call 607-547-0397.

Doubleday Kids Dash
Following the game on Saturday will be Doubleday Kids Dash, a free event for children to round third and head for home on the base paths of historic Doubleday Field. Sign-ups will be held on Saturday, May 25, at Doubleday Field. Preregistration is not required.

Hall of Fame Member Golf Outing
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.

Tickets purchased online or via phone prior to May 17 will be sent via U.S. Mail. Tickets purchased May 18 through May 23 must be picked up at the Doubleday Field Will Call tent beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 25. Online ticketing ends at 5 p.m. ET on May 23.

Tickets will be available for purchase at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s Ticket Booth on Friday, May 24, and again at the Doubleday Field Will Call tent beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 25.

As part of Hall of Fame Classic Weekend, the Museum celebrates the history of baseball cards with a new exhibit opening: Shoebox Treasures. The exhibit, which will open to the public at noon on May 25, will host a special ribbon cutting ceremony that morning. Shoebox Treasures features more than 700 square feet of space on the Museum’s third floor, will touch on the history and production of the cards as well as the 1980s boom that turned a child’s hobby into a multi-million dollar industry. Shoebox Treasures will feature more than 2,000 cards on display in vertical drawers that will allow visitors to explore the Museum’s collection. Additionally, visitors can interact with the cards through a classic “bicycle spokes” interactive and also have the chance to make their own virtual baseball cards. Shoebox Treasures will be a major part of the continuing Museum lineup and is included with Hall of Fame admission.

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.