Cooperstown vacation

[bigtrain]

Just got back from my annual extended visit to Cooperstown. Spent 10 beautiful days there. Weather was unusually warm for up there, mid 80s first part of the week and we did get some rain for a couple of days but it was, as always, a great time. The highlight was visiting Colliersville Antiques (about 30 minutes south of Cooperstown) where I had a nice time talking with Don Flewelling and his wife about baseball cards and memorabilia. Don promotes the card show in Cooperstown on induction weekend at the VFW (right across the street from the HOF), another great event. He sold me a couple of nice T206 Southern Leaguers while I was there. That was a bonus. If you are in the area, it is worth a trip to Colliersville, just to talk to Don about his 60 years of collecting. BTW, Don had a lot of nice things to say about Ted Z. as well.

[TCMA]

Originally Posted by bigtrain

Just got back from my annual extended visit to Cooperstown. Spent 10 beautiful days there.

I love Cooperstown and head up there from the NYC area several times a year. I've been to every HOF Weekend for the past 8 summers and several before that .

[Northviewcats]

Don is a great guy. I've bought several cards from him at the Cooperstown show on Induction weekend in the past. I always look forward to visiting with him and Ted.

Best regards,

Joe

[darkhorse9]

To those who have been there before for the Induction, I'm going this year. What do I need to know? I'm staying in Utica (closest I could get)

How should I approach that Sunday's events?

[mets41]

I go up every year with Ted Z. Get to town as early as possible to find intown parking. Go to Doubleday Field (on Main St. near the hall and on the same side of the street). On induction day parking is not allowed in the field's parking lot. Beginning at about 10 am they run continuous shuttle buses from there to the induction site (Clark Gym, also no parking allowed there). After the ceremony, the shuttle buses do continuous round trips back to Doubleday Field. The buses go non-stop. If you're up to it, it's about 3/4th of a mile's walk from Doubleday Field to Clark Gym. You can set up a chair or beach towel to sit anywhere in the gym's field to watch the ceremony.

[Northviewcats]

On Sunday morning if you drive up the hill to the area where the Induction Ceremony takes place you will find several homes that sell parking spaces. They range from $5-$15. The walk is only a few blocks to the field. Take sun screen if its sunny. I believe there are six inductees this year and that's a lot of speeches. My wife and I always pack a cooler full of cold drinks and sandwiches, but the local High School sells hot dogs like they do at the ball park.

Lots to do during the weekend. Don't miss the card show and sale at the VFW across the street from the Hall. Not a big show, but quality pre-war vendors. I spend a lot of time there on Saturday, while my wife goes shopping in the village. She always finds a few non-baseball treasures and is very happy.

Lots of great places to eat. I actually prefer to buy hamburgers and hot dogs from the street vendors along Main Street, but if you want a good sit down meal there are several good spots in town.

Best of all is the museum itself. They have really done a great job to keep the exhibits fresh and interesting. I go to Cooperstown every year and I always see something that I never seen before.

Enjoy your trip and don't get to frustrated with the crowds purchasing autographs.

Best regards,

Joe