Fan Favorite Ozzie Smith Hosts 16th Edition of Hall of Fame Weekend Favorite PLAY Ball

2002 Hall of Fame Electee and Museum Education Ambassador Joins Special Guests Fergie Jenkins, Randy Johnson and Ryne Sandberg at the Museum’s Annual Education Fundraiser, July 2

(COOPERSTOWN, NY) – He joined baseball’s greatest team in 2002, and ever since Ozzie Smith has brought his electric smile and infectious enthusiasm to Hall of Fame Weekend.

And for the 16th straight year, The Wizard is ready to PLAY Ball in Cooperstown.

Smith, the Education Ambassador for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, will host PLAY Ball with Ozzie Smith on Friday, July 28 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. in Cooperstown. Ozzie will welcome fellow Hall of Famers Fergie Jenkins, Randy Johnson and Ryne Sandberg as his guests during a fun-filled morning that gives fans a unique chance to experience on-field moments and stories with Hall of Famers.

PLAY Ball is a Museum fundraiser that supports the Hall of Fame’s educational mission and internship scholarships. Participants in PLAY Ball each receive on-field round-robin interaction with the Hall of Famers, along with special mementos to commemorate their experience.

The event will begin at 8 a.m. July 28 with an exclusive morning reception in the Hall of Fame Plaque Gallery with Ozzie and his Hall of Fame friends. Following photos, stories and interaction with their Hall of Fame guides, PLAY Ball participants will hit the field at a Cooperstown-area diamond, where they will receive two hours of instruction along with non-stop interaction from some of the greatest players the game has known.

Since hosting the event annually beginning in 2002, Ozzie Smith has helped raise more than $150,000 for the Museum’s educational outreach programs and the Ozzie Smith Diversity Scholarships, presented annually to members of the Frank and Peggy Steele Internship Program for Youth Leadership Development.

Jenkins, the 1971 National League Cy Young Award winner, was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1991. Over 19 seasons with the Phillies, Cubs, Rangers and Red Sox, Jenkins totaled 284 wins and 3,192 strikeouts.

Johnson, a five-time Cy Young Award winner and 10-time All-Star, was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2015 after a 22-year career with the Expos, Mariners, Astros, Diamondbacks, Yankees and Giants.

Sandberg, a 2005 Hall of Fame inductee, played 16 seasons with the Cubs and Phillies, earning 10 All-Star Game selections and nine Gold Glove Awards at second base to go along with the 1984 National League Most Valuable Player Award.

PLAY Ball is part of the July 28-31 Hall of Fame Weekend activities that will be highlighted by the July 30 Induction Ceremony when Jeff Bagwell, Tim Raines, Iván Rodríguez, John Schuerholz and Bud Selig will be inducted as the Class of 2017.

A limited number of spaces for PLAY Ball remain, and a reservation is required. Event pricing is $675 for Members, $875 for non-Members. Members may reserve spots now by calling 607-547-0397. For more information on Membership, please visit www.baseballhall.org/join.