Lodgers are dialing Cooperstown numbers and local firms are planning merchandise promotions, said business owners who welcomed Monday's announcement of the 2009 National Baseball Hall of Fame inductees.
Rickey Henderson, Major League Baseball's career leader in stolen bases and runs, and Jim Rice, an outfielder for 16 years with the Boston Red Sox, were elected to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. They will be inducted July 26.
Henderson is a popular player, and Rice's career with the Red Sox is a plus because of Boston's proximity to Cooperstown, said area business officials, who projected a good turnout for the July weekend.
The ceremonies will be at the Clark Sports Center, 124 Susquehanna Ave., in the village.
``It's fabulous news for Cooperstown,'' said Pati Grady, founder and president of Cooperstown Cookie Co.
Henderson and Rice are deserving players, she said, and their following will attract droves to Cooperstown. The cookie firm expects increased demand for its MLB-licensed goods, especially products with Red Sox logos, she said.
The Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce has been receiving calls since mid-December about Induction Weekend activities and accommodations, said executive director Susan O'Handley, and more are expected since the announcement of the inductees.
Henderson and Rice will be a ``wonderful draw'' for Cooperstown, O'Handley said, and the chamber expects to be busy providing support services to businesses.
``We're excited that the two of them will be inducted,'' said Connie Haney, a co-owner of Cooperstown Bat Co. at 118 Main St. Haney said the firm plans to contact the inductees for signatures to manufacture collectible bats.
``It should be a great baseball summer,'' Haney said.
The induction of the two players bodes well for tourism in the area and a good weekend in particular, given the slow economy, said Rob Robinson, president and chief executive officer of the Otsego County Chamber.
``It's very good news for baseball and our summer season,'' he said.
Henderson and Rice will be honored with the late Joe Gordon, a former Yankees and Indians second baseman who was elected last month by the Veterans Committee. Tony Kubek will be honored with the Ford C. Frick broadcasting award and Nick Peters will be recognized for his writing with the J.G. Taylor Spink award.
``It's a great class,'' said Craig Muder, director of communications for the Baseball Hall of Fame. ``We are definitely optimistic that this will be a great weekend.''
Muder spoke from New York City, where Monday's announcement was made.
On June 21, the Hall of Fame plans exhibits on Hank Aaron and on the contributions of Latin American players and the Hall of Fame Classic, Muder said, and with Induction Weekend, the summer of 2009 is a promising one.
Muder said it's too early to estimate attendance for Induction Weekend. Last year, the weekend drew 14,000 visitors, when Rich "Goose" Gossage was inducted as a player and Dick Williams as a manager. Muder said the previous year, with the induction of players Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn, the event attracted 75,000.
Cooperstown Mayor Carol Waller said attendance two years ago was an anomaly. She agreed, however, that this year's induction class, along with other Hall of Fame activities, will generate tourism business for Cooperstown.
``The summer is going to be good,'' Waller said.
Linda Smirk, who with her husband owns Cooperstown Bed and Breakfast, said she had at least 20 calls about accommodations between the time of the announcement and by Monday afternoon. However, family suites and individual rooms are reserved for previous customers who want to return to the 88 Chestnut St. house, she said, and most of them do.
``We have die-hard people,'' Smirk said.
Henderson and Rice will draw good-sized crowds for Induction Weekend, she said.
``It's a happy time,'' Smirk said.
Dwaine Sharratt of Cooperstown Beaver Valley Cabins and Campsites in Hartwick said some families have visited during Induction Weekend for 20 years. That weekend alone doesn't generate a successful season, Sharratt said, but the number and popularity of inductees does make a difference in attendance. The campground has about 100 sites, Sharratt said, and he expects some customers will return, creating a family-like occasion.
``Baseball is a wonderful thing,'' Sharratt said.
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Denise Richardson can be reached at 432-1000 or (800) 721-1000, ext. 213, or at. drichardson@thedailystar.com.
