Veteran Stars, New Faces to Play in June 20

Veteran Stars, New Faces to Play in June 20 Hall of Fame Classic in Cooperstown

Madlock, Johnstone Among Heroes Set for Legends Game; Tickets on Sale Now

March 20, 2010

   COOPERSTOWN, NY – Their major league playing days may be over, but the legends of the game are already lining up to play in the second-annual Baseball Hall of Fame Classic on Father’s Day in Cooperstown.

Hall of Famers Gary Carter, Bob Feller, Rollie Fingers, Goose Gossage, Harmon Killebrew, Phil Niekro and Ozzie Smith will headline the Hall of Fame Classic, and today the National Baseball Hall of Fame and the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association announced nine more players scheduled to appear in the June 20 legends game at Doubleday Field.

 

Lee Smith, John Doherty, Mike Pagliarulo and Rich Surhoff – who each played in the inaugural Hall of Fame Classic in 2009 – will return this year along with Classic rookies Paul Blair, Brian Boehringer, Jay Johnstone, Bill Madlock and Dennis Rasmussen. Nearly a dozen other players will be announced in April.

“From the moment the last out of the 2009 Hall of Fame Classic was recorded, we’ve heard from players all over the country who want to participate in this year’s game,” said Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson. “The response has really been overwhelming, and we’re thrilled to be able to bring some of baseball’s biggest stars home to Cooperstown.”

Starting today, participants in the Hall of Fame’s Membership Program can purchase tickets for the Hall of Fame Classic through March 28 by calling 1-866-849-7770 or visiting www.baseballhall.org. Tickets are $12.50 for first and third base seats and $11 for outfield seats. For information on becoming a Member, please visit www.baseballhall.org.

Tickets for general public purchase will be available starting March 29 via phone and Internet sales should any seats remain.

Classic Weekend will feature a slate of family friendly activities, highlighted by the return of the Hall of Fame Classic. Other activities planned for Classic Weekend include a Hall of Fame Golf tournament fundraiser for the Museum, a reprise of the popular “Family Catch,” the Youth Skills Clinic hosted by several former major league players, a special Voices of the Game program, and other special programs throughout the Museum.

The 2010 Hall of Fame Classic will once again be presented by Ford Motor Company, who was the game’s presenting sponsor for the inaugural event in 2009.

The Hall of Fame Classic will be preceded by the Cooperstown Game Day Parade, presented by the Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce, the village of Cooperstown and the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, beginning at noon on June 20 on Main Street. Game participants will ride in the parade on their way to Doubleday Field. The Legends Hitting Contest will begin at 1 p.m., followed by the Hall of Fame Classic at 2 p.m.

On Saturday, June 19, the Museum will present the return of “Family Catch” at Doubleday Field from 12-2 p.m. Beginning at 3 p.m., the Hall of Fame and the MLBPAA will present the Youth Skills Clinic at Doubleday Field, featuring former major league players as instructors. At 7 p.m., the Museum will host a roundtable discussion with the seven Hall of Fame members. Advance registration is required for all events. Please call 607-547-0397 for more information.

Open seven days a week the year round, with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day, the Hall of Fame is open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. until Memorial Day Weekend. Summer hours extend until Labor Day, from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. daily. Ticket prices are $16.50 for adults (13 and over), $11 for seniors (65 and over) and for those holding current memberships in the VFW, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion and AMVets organizations, and $6 for juniors (ages 7-12). Members are always admitted free of charge and there is no charge for children six years of age or younger, active and retired card-carrying military personnel. For more information, visit our Web site at www.baseballhall.org or call 888-HALL-OF-FAME (888-425-5633) or 607-547-7200.