Classic Weekend Features Baseball Films in Hall of Fame’s Grandstand Theater

(COOPERSTOWN, NY) – The timeless American classics of baseball and film will intersect Memorial Day Weekend in Cooperstown as the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum hosts an All-Star film festival.

The three movies will be shown as part of Hall of Fame Classic Weekend and lead into the Saturday, May 27, legends game at Doubleday Field which will feature Hall of Famers Bert Blyleven, Rollie Fingers, Fergie Jenkins Jim Kaat, Jack Morris and Lee Smith along with players representing each of the 30 MLB teams.

Films include:

Thursday, May 25, 5:30 p.m.

It Ain’t Over

Scheduled to debut in theaters in the New York Tri-State region on May 12 – Yogi Berra’s birthday – “It Ain’t Over,” a portrait of the Hall of Fame catcher tells the story of a decorated Navy veteran who went on to achieve greatness as a New York Yankee, capturing 10 World Series championships and three American League MVPs. Following his playing career, Berra became a successful coach and manager while his gift for language brought his iconic style into the mainstream culture. The documentary film features interviews with legends like Derek Jeter, Joe Torre, Mariano Rivera, Don Mattingly, Tony Kubek and Billy Crystal. A ticket is not required but seats must be reserved on a first-come basis at baseballhall.org/yogifilm. Following the film, a Q&A with Hall of Famer and fellow Yankees legend Jim Kaat, film producers Michael Sobiloff and Peter Sobiloff and Berra’s granddaughter and the film’s Executive Producer Lindsay Berra will take place.

Friday, May 26, 11 a.m.

Bananaland

An episode of the ESPN series “Bananaland” will be shown and followed by a Zoom Q&A with Jesse Cole, founder of the Savannah Bananas team that has thrilled the baseball world with its unique brand of sport and entertainment. Tickets must be reserved in advance and are available to Museum Members or those who purchase Museum tickets on May 26. Tickets can be reserved at baseballhall.org/bananaland. A limit of four tickets per reservation for the film is in place. The Savannah Bananas are scheduled to play their final game of their 2023 World Tour on Sept. 16 at Doubleday Field.

Friday, May 26, 5:30 p.m.

Glory and Grief: The Ferguson Jenkins Story

In this event open to Champions Level Donors or those participating in the Hall of Fame Classic Weekend golf outing, a screening of this documentary about the extraordinary life of Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins will be held. Produced by MLB Network and Marquee Sports Network, the film looks at the triumphs and tragedies of Jenkins as he compiled a career that resulted in election to Cooperstown in 1991. For information on attending, please call 607-547-0310.

Film schedule subject to change.

The 2023 Hall of Fame Classic highlights a weekend of family entertainment programs designed to celebrate the timeless connection of baseball across generations. The Classic, a seven-inning legends game played at historic Doubleday Field, will feature Hall of Famers Hall of Famers Blyleven, Fingers, Jenkins, Kaat, Morris and Smith as managers and coaches along with recently retired players. Fueled by assistance from MLB, the Hall of Fame Classic will be preceded by the pre-game Home Run Contest at noon, followed by the first pitch at 1:05 p.m.

Following the game on Saturday will be the Doubleday Kids Dash, a chance for children to round third and head for home on the base paths of historic Doubleday Field. There is no pre-registration for this event. On Saturday evening, the Museum will host its Night at the Ballpark program. Hall of Fame legends and former players will greet fans throughout Doubleday Field on Saturday evening beginning at 6 p.m., with Hall of Famers participating for the first hour of the event. While the Night at the Ballpark program is not an autograph session, fans should remember to bring their camera to capture their special memories.

The Museum will also offer the Cooperstown Classic Clinic, a baseball training event for youngsters ages 7-12 on Friday, May 26, from 4-7 p.m. The Clinic gives youth participants a chance to receive hands-on tips and advice from several former major leaguers at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown.