(COOPERSTOWN, NY) – During the year of America’s 250th birthday, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum will pay tribute to the heroes who made it possible.
The Hall of Fame Military Classic Presented by New Era will be held Saturday, May 23, at historic Doubleday Field in Cooperstown. Seven Hall of Famers and 25 big league stars will participate in the seven-inning legends game during Memorial Day Weekend festivities that will honor baseball’s longstanding connection to the military.
Hall of Famers Wade Boggs, Rollie Fingers, Todd Helton, Fergie Jenkins, Tony La Russa, Jack Morris and Scott Rolen will serve as managers and coaches, with a pregame hitting contest prior to the game that will be just a part of the family-fun offerings at the home of baseball.
The Hall of Fame Military Classic: A Tribute to Service and Sacrifice will feature former big leaguers Jeremy Affeldt, Nick Ahmed, Al Bumbry, Charlie Culberson, Ryan Dempster, Mark Dewey, Jonny Gomes, Mitch Harris, Edwin Jackson, Ian Kennedy, Jonathan Lucroy, Kevin Mench, Rick Monday, Charlie Morton, Daniel Murphy, Jake Peavy, Curtis Pride, Josh Reddick, Zach Reks, David Robertson, Chris Rowley, Shane Spencer, Alex Wilson, Todd Zeile and Brad Ziegler. Fueled by assistance from Major League Baseball, Team Stars will take on Team Stripes in the return of a Memorial Day Weekend legends game in Cooperstown.
The family-fun activities begin when gates open at 11 a.m., and the pregame home run hitting contest will begin at noon, followed by the 1 p.m. game. Activities will include a bounce house/slide, balloon artists, face painting, food and beverage options from local food trucks and music and giveaways, including a free 24-page commemorative program magazine. Children 12-and-under can Race Around the Bases following the game.
American flags will be given to the first 2,500 fans in attendance, with a 75-foot by 150-foot field-sized flag on display – held by local community members representing the Cooperstown Central School District and Milford Central School district – as part of the pregame festivities. The pregame colors will be presented by Cooperstown American Legion Post 579, and also on display will be banners from the Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation honoring Hall of Famers who served during World War II.
As part of the Museum’s celebration, the flag Rick Monday rescued at Dodger Stadium on April 25, 1976, will be on exhibit at the Hall of Fame beginning Memorial Day Weekend, and Monday will participate in the Hall of Fame Military Classic. California-based artist Dave Hobrecht will recreate Monday’s famous flag rescue by live painting the iconic scene for visitors while at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum during Memorial Day Weekend.
Award-winning announcer Gary Thorne, who served with the U.S. Army’s Judge Advocate General Corps in the 1970s, will lend his voice to the day as the public address announcer. Thorne served as the emcee of the annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on eight occasions.
The Louisville Slugger Warriors amputee baseball team will have four representatives on the roster as well as head coach Curtis Pride, who overcame hearing loss en route to an 11-year career in the big leagues, and coach Kevin Mench, an eight-year big league veteran. The Louisville Slugger Warriors are a competitive amputee baseball team that consists of U.S. Military Veterans, Active Duty personnel, Wounded Warriors and current and former amputee college baseball players. They have suffered either loss of limb, partial limb, digits, eye and serious limb deformities. Others have prostheses due to congenital, disease, or trauma-related reasons.
Brittany Apgar and Alyssa Zettlemoyer, who will play in the Women’s Pro Baseball League historic debut season this summer, will also suit up for the Hall of Fame Military Classic.
MLB Network shows MLB Now and Intentional Talk will present live broadcasts on Friday, May 22, from Cooperstown, with MLB Now broadcasting live from the Hall of Fame’s Plaque Gallery from 12-1 p.m. and Intentional Talk from Doubleday Field from 5-6 p.m.
Coined “The Show for The Thinking Fan” since 2013, the Emmy Award-nominated MLB Now examines the latest news and trends in the game from an analytics perspective. Veteran host Brian Kenny and guests provide thoughtful discussion on how play on the field and data-driven decisions continue to evolve in baseball.
Serving as MLB Network’s longest-running talk show, Intentional Talk in Cooperstown will feature co-hosts Siera Santos and Ryan Dempster delivering an entertaining and informative program driven by their signature senses of humor.
In addition to MLB Network personalities Ryan Dempster and Jake Peavy participating in the game, Brian Kenny will serve as on-field emcee for the Home Run Derby and Siera Santos will be an on-field reporter during the Hall of Fame Military Classic.
Tickets for the Hall of Fame Military Classic Presented by New Era are on sale now online or at 1-888-325-0470 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.
— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ (@baseballhall) May 7, 2026
Memorial Day Weekend in Cooperstown will also feature the Hall of Fame’s popular Night at the Ballpark program. Hall of Fame legends and former players will greet fans throughout Doubleday Field on Saturday, May 23, beginning at 6 p.m., with Hall of Famers participating alongside other former major league stars. While the Night at the Ballpark program is not an autograph session, fans should remember to bring their camera to capture their special memories.
Tickets for Night at the Ballpark are on sale now priced at $100 each and limited to 12 tickets per order. Click here to reserve tickets.
The Cooperstown Classic Clinic for children aged 7-12 will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, May 22, at Doubleday Field. Hall of Fame Military Classic participants will lead the Clinic, with registration information available here.
Also as part of the weekend, guests can golf with legends at historic Leatherstocking Golf Course on Otsego Lake. Participants will enjoy an unforgettable day of golf. Individuals, pairs or foursomes of all skill levels are welcome to join the Hall of Fame Memorial Day Weekend Golf Tournament. A Hall of Fame member or former major leaguer will join each foursome and serve as the team captain.
A fundraiser for the Museum, the scramble-format tournament highlights a full lineup of activities for participants during this unforgettable weekend. For more information on supporting the Hall of Fame through this exclusive golf outing, please call 607-547-0310.
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 Military 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.
