National Baseball Hall Of Fame – Cooperstown, New York

Baseball. It’s been a part of our family for generations.

Here is Peepaw, heading to his game in high school.

I tried my hand at softball way back then, but  I soon realized I was more of a cheerleader at heart.

That’s me on the far right.

But THIS is more of my cheerleading form these days.

(Not sure why they call baseball players the boys of summer.)

Our sons grew up on baseball diamonds…coached by their dad. And both boys went on to successful college baseball careers.

Now many of our grandkids have followed suit…both boys and girls.

These days, sitting in the stands watching our sons and their kids…

Priceless.

So many family memories…for three generations.

As we began researching a road trip out East Peepaw had only one request. A stop in Cooperstown, New York at the  National Baseball Hall of Fame. (A hallowed shrine to that baseball loving guy.)

So that request meant Cooperstown was a must, and the quaint village was buzzing on the summer day we chose to visit. (I’m quite sure it’s like that almost every day of the year!)

If you’re planning a visit just know the parking near the museum can be hard to come by. That’s why we chose to park in one of the outlying parking lots where we jumped onboard the inexpensive trolley that drops visitors right at the door.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame Museum. (Is this Heaven?)

We booked our early morning arrival time and paid for our admission online to try to avoid some of the congestion, but when we arrived I was still quite concerned since not many folks were wearing masks. So we tried to approach the three floors of exhibits when they were less crowded. Not an easy task, but we managed pretty well.

So Much Baseball…So Little Time…

A fantastic short video in the theatre is a “must see’ for any baseball fan who visits. (Be sure to have a tissue handy.)

The memorabilia contained in that museum is definitely priceless!

I was happy to see part of a wing dedicated to some amazing women who have played a part in the game as well. Meet ten year old Edith Houghton. She was invited to play for the Philadelphia Bobbies. She played for four years, including a barnstorming trip to Japan!

Some fascinating displays showcased how much of an effect baseball has had on our American culture…including on our language!

Peepaw was drawn to this display since HIS mother tossed his shoebox filled with baseball cards too…including his Babe Ruth card! (Each large book contains player baseball cards…all arranged in alphabetical order.) 

Some quotations jumped out at me and really made me stop and think. Like this one.

And who could forget this famous Yogi Berra Quote…”It ain’t over ’til it’s over.”

So much baseball history…

I couldn’t help but notice the Cuba baseball connection which reminded me of one of our last trips before Covid grounded us. Our cruise to Havana! You can read all about THAT adventure right HERE.

So much to see in the Hall of Fame. Much too much for one day, but that was all the time we had allowed for the visit. But Peepaw was happy with the time spent.

Peepaw’s Bucket List…Checked!

The actual Hall of Fame…

We sure made the most of the day we spent in Cooperstown, including an outdoor lunch and a stroll through the village.

It seems baseball is the common denominator in everything in Cooperstown!

Play Ball!!!

Of course we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see where the game of baseball began. 

That baseball diamond (once a cow pasture) is situated smack dab in the middle of the village.

Abner Doubleday is credited with devising the rules for the game of baseball in 1907.  He grew up in Cooperstown and “town ball’ was a favorite pastime of the kids in the small village. 

Someone left this tiny plaque by Abner’s toe…

That’s a fitting message for sure for any ball player.

The brick stadium has a magical feel about it. If only these bleachers could talk!

Several high school teams were competing that day, and the dugouts were filled with the usual gear, but I bet Abner and his buddies didn’t have that drinking fountain!

Baseball tournaments are ongoing all summer on that field, so of course I sat down to watch the warm-ups for the next game. (I couldn’t resist hearing the crack of the bats and the outfield chatter.)

I’m so happy we got to visit that amazing baseball shrine in Cooperstown.

And I bet you can guess my all time favorite movie. 

“Is this Heaven?”