Hall of Fame’s ‘Classic’ returns Memorial Day weekend

Hall of Famer and Detroit Tiger great Alan Trammel has a high-five for Milwaukee Brewers’ star Trevor Hoffman at the 2019 Hall of Fame Classic. Photo courtesy of Milo V. Stewart, Jr.

Hall of Fame pitcher Fergie Jenkins told his Twitter following that he “can’t wait!” for Memorial Day Weekend when the Hall of Fame Classic returns to Cooperstown’s Doubleday Field after a two-year pandemic absence.

Tickets for the Saturday, May 28 game are on sale now for fans who want to see Mr. Jenkins, along with Hall of Famers Wade Boggs, Jack Morris, Tim Raines, and Ted Simmons play a seven-inning legends game at the historic field. Recently-retired players representing all 30 major league teams will join them for the game – the highlight of a weekend of family entertainment programs “designed,” says the Hall of Fame, “to celebrate the timeless connection of baseball across generations.”

The Classic, now in its 12th year and fueled by assistance from Major League Baseball, features a pre-game Home Run Contest at noon, followed by the first pitch at 1:05 p.m.

Players committed to appear at the Hall of Fame Classic include: Bobby Abreu (Phillies), Alex Arias (Marlins), Alex Avila (Tigers), Carlos Baerga (Guardians), Michael Bourn (Astros), Pat Borders (Blue Jays), José Contreras (White Sox), Keith Foulke (Red Sox), David Freese (Cardinals), Carlos Gómez (Brewers), Carlos González (Rockies), Terrence Long (Athletics), Glen Perkins (Twins), Ryan Rowland-Smith (Mariners), Steve Sax (Dodgers), Nick Swisher (Yankees), Chris Young (Diamondbacks) and Todd Zeile (Mets).

The full rosters of participating Hall of Famers and Classic players will be announced later this spring. The most up-to-date information about the Hall of Fame Classic will be available at baseballhall.org/hofclassic.

Hall of Fame Classic Weekend keeps Cooperstown busy with additional family events, including a chance for children to ‘round third and head for home on Doubleday Field with the Doubleday Kids Dash right after Saturday’s game. Later that evening, the Hall of Fame hosts its Night at the Ballpark program, during which Hall of Fame Classic participants will canvass the ballpark over a two-hour event. Night at the Ballpark is not an autograph session, but fans are invited to have their cameras at the ready.

The Hall also offers the Cooperstown Classic Clinic, a baseball training event for youngsters aged 7-12, on Friday, May 27, from 4 until 7 p.m. The Clinic gives youth participants a chance to receive hands-on tips and advice from former major leaguers at Doubleday Field.

Ticket information

Tickets for the 2022 Hall of Fame Classic scheduled for Saturday, May 28, are $15 for grandstand seats, $12.50 for first baseline seats, and $11 for outfield seats and are available via telephone at 1-888-325-0470 or online. Seating along the third baseline is unavailable because of ongoing renovations.

Tickets for the Night at the Ballpark meet-and-greet are priced at $50 for participants in the Museum’s Membership Program and $100 for non-members and are on sale now.

The Doubleday Kids Dash is a free event, but space is limited. There is no pre-registration.

The Cooperstown Classic Clinic scheduled for May 27 is free, but pre-order is required for the opportunity.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum has teamed up with Sports Travel and Tours to offer baseball fans a one-stop opportunity to purchase Classic Weekend travel packages. Membership participants receive a 5% discount on all their baseball travel packages.

Find more information and links to all ticket opportunities here: https://baseballhall.org/discover/hall-of-fame-classic

Also as part of Classic Weekend, Hall of Fame members will lead an exclusive golf outing, with a limited number of spots available for golfers, at the beautiful Leatherstocking Golf Course on Otsego Lake. For more information on supporting the Hall of Fame through this exclusive golf outing, please call 607-547-0310.