Restored, Grandstand Theater

Re-Opening On Eve of Classic

COOPERSTOWN – With new surround sound, a state-of-the-art projector and a brand-new film, the Baseball Hall of Fame’s Grandstand Theater is set for re-opening this weekend as part of the museum’s annual Classic Weekend.

“Baseball fans come to the Hall of Fame looking for that ‘wow’ moment, and the new “Generations of the Game” introductory film, shown in the beautifully renovated and state-of-the-art Grandstand Theater, sets the stage and delivers an emotional foundation for a memorable Museum experience,” said Jeff Idelson,  Hall of Fame president.

Supported through the generosity of Museum Board member Thomas Tull, “Generations of the Game” was directed by acclaimed filmmaker Jonathan Hock.

“Some of my most cherished childhood memories are the trips I took to Cooperstown to see the Hall of Fame,” said Tull, who served as the new film’s executive producer. “Having the chance to showcase via film an organization that means so much to me is a privilege. I’m excited for baseball fans from all around the world to have a new way to experience the Museum through this film, and I hope it creates lasting memories for them as it has for me.”

Generations of the Game will feature 19 Hall of Fame narrators along with voices such as Hall of Fame Chairman of the Board Jane Forbes Clark, Ford C. Frick Award winner Bob Costas, recently retired heroes Derek Jeter, David Ortiz and Mariano Rivera, and current stars Bryce Harper and Clayton Kershaw.

“Our film is the set up for the viewers’ Museum experience to follow, so we tried to create the most magnificent ‘pre-game show’ we could imagine,” Hock said. “We wanted to take the viewers – many of whom have traveled far to get to Cooperstown and have looked forward to it for months or years – and prime them emotionally for what’s in the Museum.”

The 189 seat theater includes a Dolby Atmos sound system donated by Dolby Laboratories, state-of-the-art projectors donated by Christie Projectors and 16-foot high vertical videoboards along the theater’s side walls. The theater is ADA-compliant.

The Grandstand Theater will reopen Friday, May 25 as the start to Hall of Fame Classic Weekend, with a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place during Hall of Fame Induction Weekend, July 27-30. Admission to the theater is included with the museum’s ticket price.