The Gift of Cooperstown

Variety of memorable experiences available for your favorite fan this holiday season

After the fever pitch of division races, pennant chases and World Series triumphs, the long winter offseason can signal a tough change of pace for baseball fans.

Hot stove rumors replace the ballpark hot dog, and at times the countdown to when pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training can seem never-ending.

Thankfully, there is a way to perk up the die-hard fans in your life, cross off names from your Christmas shopping list and support the mission of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum – all at the same time. The holidays present the perfect opportunity to give the gift of Cooperstown, with a variety of special behind-the-scenes experiences now offered for 2016 at the Hall of Fame.

A year of incredible opportunities begins with the Custom Tour Experience, a new series of curated programs that offer fans a chance to learn about the rich histories of their favorite teams. Participants will enjoy a personalized visit focusing on artifacts from their favorite club not currently on exhibit, along with a special team-focused guided tour of the Museum. Offered for a limited-time only in January and February, giving your friend or loved one the Custom Tour Experience means giving them the perfect chance to celebrate their “die-hard” status with their beloved team.

Debuting after the Custom Tour on March 14-15 is the Collection Care and Conservation Workshops, another brand new offering at the Cooperstown shrine. This workshop is really a three-in-one value that include a behind-the-scenes look at the Museum, a unique educational experience and a prestigious dining experience. Participants will be treated to everything from special artifact spotlights to tours of the extensive Museum Collection and Library Archive to educational seminars that spotlight how the Hall of Fame’s staff stores and preserves its artifacts. A private catered dinner in the iconic Plaque Gallery caps off this whirlwind two-day adventure.

Of course, baseball is best preserved when passed from generation to generation, and the Museum has a special opportunity available for its young fans. The Extra Innings Overnight program will return in 2016, offering a sleepover experience unlike any other. Kids ages 7-12 will be able to hunker down for a night alongside baseball’s legends in the iconic Plaque Gallery, following special after-hours access to the Museum. It’s a night your up-and-comer will never forget as they learn about the history of the National Pastime. Overnights are scheduled for the evenings of March 19 and April 9 and 23. For more information, click here.

Meanwhile, the Cooperstown Golf Classic is a premium gift for those itching to hit the links just as much as their local ballparks. No other tournament offers participants a chance to play alongside their favorite Hall of Fame members, and better yet, this tourney falls during Hall of Fame Classic Weekend – one of the premier summer events in Cooperstown. A continental breakfast, awards luncheon and exclusive autograph session accompany an unforgettable round on Leatherstocking Golf Course, one of the nation’s most historic courses. For more information on how to sign up your favorite golfer, click here or call 607-547-0397.

With all of these experiences on the docket, 2016 promises to be another amazing year for baseball fans at the Hall of Fame. They also present a great opportunity to get all of your holiday shopping done at once, giving each of the valued fans in your life a trip to Cooperstown that they’ll never forget. Best of all, you’ll receive the satisfaction of knowing your purchases help ensure that baseball history can be preserved and shared for years to come in Upstate New York and digitally around the globe.