Classic to highlight big weekend in Cooperstown

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March 9, 2011

Dawson, Gossage among first to commit to June 19 exhibition

By Michelle Miller Staff Writer The Daily Star Wed Mar 09, 2011, 07:05 AM EST

COOPERSTOWN _ One day isn't enough for the Hall of Fame Classic anymore.

National Baseball Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson announced Tuesday that the event _ an exhibition baseball game held on Father's Day the past two years _ will highlight an entire weekend known as the Cooperstown Classic Fest this spring.

"In launching the Hall of Fame Classic two years ago, our premise was to provide a fan-friendly experience for fans to see their baseball legends come to life on one of the most historic grounds in all of baseball history at Doubleday Field," Idelson said during a Tuesday media conference, when he also announced that Hall of Famers Andre Dawson, Goose Gossage, Phil Niekro, Jim Rice, Ozzie Smith and Dick Williams will participate in the third annual Classic.

"The feedback in the first two years has been nothing short of dynamic _ from the more than 7,000 fans each year who have witnessed the Classic to the players who are rediscovering their love of the game all over again to the Cooperstown community, which embraces baseball heroes unlike anyone else," he continued. "We believe these new additions to the 2011 calendar _ transforming Father's Day from a one-day event to a weekend experience _ will benefit everyone and keep the Classic on the national landscape for many years to come."

The Hall has teamed with the Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce and the village in an attempt to create a festival-like atmosphere that will appeal to visitors and locals alike from June 17-19.

The two-day Cooperstown Golf Classic will begin June 17 and offers 28 fans the opportunity to play golf with Hall of Famers during this fundraiser for the museum. The event continues June 18, when the Classic Fest will run from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. in the Doubleday Field parking lot. The Classic Fest features a free youth baseball clinic run by former major leaguers from 8 a.m.-noon; appearances by special guests and several family activities during the free Hall of Fame Showcase from 12:30-4:30 p.m.; photo opportunities with Hall of Famers from 4:30-5:30 p.m.; and a special Voices of the Game installment presented by Hall of Famers from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

The Hall of Fame "Game Day Parade" will start at noon on Father's Day, June 19, which is two days before summer begins. Starting at the corner of Main and Fair streets, Hall of Famers and former major leaguers will parade down Main Street to Doubleday Field, which will then host the third annual Classic Hitting Contest at 1 p.m. The seven-inning exhibition follows at 2 p.m.

Doug Glanville, Bill Lee, Willie Wilson and Dmitri Young are among the 20 former major leaguers expected to participate in the Classic, which also will showcase several Hall of Famers. The Hall will announce the remainder of the rosters in the coming weeks.

"Hopefully this will provide the first pitch to summer tourism, providing a festival environment for fans throughout the region and across the globe to celebrate the start of the summer season" Idelson said. "We want to offer reasons beyond baseball to those who reside here."

The Classic replaced the annual Hall of Fame Game three years ago, after Major League Baseball discontinued the only in-season exhibition game.

Classic tickets will be on sale to the general public all day April 16 at the Hall, beginning at 10 a.m. Those with museum memberships may buy tickets via telephone or the Internet from 10 a.m. April 16 through the end of regular business hours April 24. Remaining tickets, if any, may be purchased by the general public at the museum store, online or over the phone from April 25 until supplies are exhausted.