Much to do, even outside of Hall

Editorials

Discussion

COMMENTING ON STORIES:

Welcome to our story comments feature. We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including the unpopular ones. We only ask that you keep your conversations clean, civil and on the topic of the story you are commenting on.

Coinciding with our websites redesign, we launched our new story comments feature through Disqus.

Disqus gives users the ability to log into our story comments feature so that they may be able to track their conversations, receive emails when their comments get a reply or to even have your comments update onto your Facebook or Twitter accounts.

For the time being, our story comments feature will continue to have the ability to post comments anonymously. We reserve the right to require registration in the future using your name and verified email address.

Not all comments are deemed printable. Some are disqualified at the newspaper’s discretion for a number of different reasons. Please follow our Online Rules of Conduct at all times.

RULES OF CONDUCT:

We reserve the right to remove comments that are unacceptable, to wit:

1. False and inacurate statements.
2. Personal attacks. Explicit name-calling.
3. Harassing, harmful, vulgar, obscene and defamatory language.
4. Threatening statements or statements that suggest violence.
5. Hate speech of any kind.
6. Intolerant comments on religion, race, age, gender, sexual preference or disabilities.
7. Accusations of criminal activity.
8. Content that is harmful to children and minors in any way.
9. References to any type of sexual activity and other private matters.
10. Random and inflammatory statements that are off topic.
11. Advertising of any kind.
12. Typing in all caps.

WE ENCOURAGE REASONABLE AND COURTEOUS COMMENTS THAT:

1. Create conversation on issues of interest and concern to fellow readers and local community members.
2. Express opinions and contrarian views.
3. Stimulate debate with respectful language.
4. Stay within the boundaries of these rules.

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO SUSPEND OR TERMINATE ACCESS FOR:

1. Violating any of these Online Rules of Conduct.
2. Deliberately disrupting discussions with repetitive messages, meaningless messages or spam.
3. Misrepresentation of identity or impersonating another user.

WE WELCOME:

1. Flagging violations of these rules that you observe to our attention.

MONITORING:

We monitor comments regularly Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Approval of comments outside of this time (including weekends) will be sporadic.

comments powered by Disqus

July 21, 2012

Much to do, even outside of Hall

Anonymous Daily Star The Daily Star Sat Jul 21, 2012, 03:25 AM EDT

For those visiting our area for the Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Weekend festivities, we welcome you to Cooperstown and the region surrounding it.

Whether you're experiencing the Hall for the first time or returning to see the induction of Cincinnati Reds shortstop Barry Larkin and late Chicago (Cubs and White Sox) third baseman Ron Santo, it's a great time of year to be here.

Take in the sights and sounds of the weekend, including the induction; the awards ceremony; the Parade of Legends; the Hall of Fame game show "Pitch Count," featuring Hall of Famers Bert Blyleven and Phil Niekro; "Play Ball" with Ozzie Smith, Johnny Bench and Paul Molitor; and other events.

In Cooperstown and this part of upstate New York, there is much more to see and do beyond baseball.

Enjoy the natural beauties that surround you by biking, hiking, swimming, kayaking and generally exploring the area.

Taste the local produce and products from our farms, orchards and other regional sellers, as well as the many locally owned farmers' markets and eateries featuring homegrown foods.

Experience the flourishing arts scene, with two galleries -- the Cooperstown Art Association and the Smithy Pioneer -- a short distance from the Hall and many others dotting the region, in addition to concert and theater venues.

For residents, we hope you take part in the annual celebration of baseball's greatest players rather than feel the crowds and traffic drawn to Cooperstown are a nuisance to our normally quiet hills, valleys and villages. If nothing else, appreciate the gifts the Hall of Fame and the events surrounding it bring to our community.

From Little Leaguers scuffing their cleats on the outfield for the first time to seasoned athletes and fans, the name Cooperstown is synonymous with greatness and accomplishment. Sports enthusiasts dream of being inducted into the Hall of Fame or even just visiting. We should feel honored to live in a place that inspires such feeling and emotions.

We also should see the weekend as part of an engine driving much of our area's economy during the summer months. Baseball -- whether at the Hall of Fame or at the various camps throughout our area -- provides a boost for hotels and other lodgings, as well as restaurants, shops and other businesses people may patronize and frequent.

With every satisfied customer and excited sports fan who comes to Cooperstown, we have a chance for returning visitors and those who spread the word of their positive experiences. By welcoming them into our community, we provide a strong draw to our area and a good time for all.