Historic Class of 2014 Inductions Highlight Hall of Fame Weekend, July 25-28

(COOPERSTOWN, N.Y.) - In five weeks, the eyes of the baseball world will once again be focused on Cooperstown, N.Y., for baseball's most exciting weekend. And with the long-awaited Class of 2014 set for induction, the village where memories live is set to make a little history of its own.

With a record-tying six living inductees all scheduled to be in attendance, Hall of Fame Weekend 2014 promises to be a spectacular experience for fans with a full slate of family events, baseball entertainment, and exclusive opportunities comprising a classic American weekend, July 25-28.

More than four dozen Hall of Famers are scheduled to return, with the full list of returnees to be announced July 1, to honor the Class of 2014 at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, honoring the six newest members, will be held Sunday, July 27, at 1:30 p.m. EDT at the Clark Sports Center.

Three electees emerged from the Baseball Writers' Association of America vote in January: Two-time National League Cy Young Award winner and 305-game winner Tom Glavine; four-time NL Cy Young Award winner and 355-game winner Greg Maddux; and two-time American League Most Valuable Player and 500-home run club member Frank Thomas. The December 2013 Expansion Era Committee election produced three electees for induction: Managers Bobby Cox, Tony La Russa and Joe Torre, each of whom rank in in the Top 5 all-time among managerial victories.

The six newest inductees bring the total to 306 Hall of Fame members, 66 of whom are living.

The Induction Ceremony will be shown live on MLB Network, which is available in more than 67 million homes nationwide.

The Hall of Fame Awards Presentation, which will start at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 26, will feature the presentation of the J.G. Taylor Spink Award to author Roger Angell and the Ford C. Frick Award for broadcasters to Texas Rangers voice Eric Nadel. Joe Garagiola, the winner of the Buck O'Neil Lifetime Achievement Award, will be unable to attend but will accept his award in absentia.

The returning Hall of Famers along with the Class of 2014 will be in attendance at Doubleday Field at the Awards Presentation, which is free and open to the public.

Also on Saturday, July 26, the fifth annual Hall of Fame Parade of Legends returns as a new hit during Hall of Fame Weekend. Hall of Famers will ride down Main Street in trucks provided by Ford Motor Company en route to a private reception at the Museum during the 6 p.m. parade, with the staging for the Parade of Legends to take place at Doubleday Field, immediately following the new presentation.

The Sunday, July 27 Induction Ceremony will take place on the grounds outside of the Clark Sports Center, which is located on lower Susquehanna Avenue, unless severe weather cancels the event. Located just one mile south of the Hall of Fame, the short walk provides a picturesque view of the homes of Cooperstown. Please note that professional interpreters will be provided for the hearing impaired. The event will be held outdoors rain or shine.

The Ceremony is expected to last three hours. Seating for the event is unlimited and free of charge. A blanket or lawn chair is recommended for comfortable viewing. As the weather in Cooperstown can be quite warm in July, it is recommended that visitors bring a cap and sunscreen. Ball caps, Yearbooks and Museum membership packages are available for purchase at the Induction site. Refreshments are sold at the site and water is provided complimentary to visitors.

Family activities scheduled throughout Hall of Fame Weekend 2014 include the following special events:

Hall of Fame Weekend Events

Friday, July 25        PLAY Ball with Ozzie Smith & special guests, Plaque Gallery and On Field (Hall of Famer participants to be announced) 8 a.m.

Saturday, July 26    Hall of Fame Awards Presentation, Doubleday Field 4:30 p.m. Hall of Fame Parade of Legends, Main Street 6 p.m.

Sunday, July 27      Induction Ceremony, Clark Sports Center 1:30 p.m.

Monday, July 28     Legends of the Game Roundtable: Clark Sports Center 10:30 a.m. Featuring Bobby Cox, Tom Glavine, Tony La Russa, Greg Maddux, Frank Thomas & Joe Torre   

PLAY Ball with Ozzie Smith: Join a dream infield that could only come together in Cooperstown, with Ozzie Smith and Hall of Fame guests hosting a morning experience in a fundraiser for the Hall of Fame's educational programs. For the 13^th year, PLAY Ball returns as the Players, Legends and You with an interactive meet and greet, starting at 8 a.m. on Friday, July 25^th during Hall of Fame Weekend 2014.

PLAY Ball features over two hours of non-stop interaction, including personalized instruction and the chance to turn double plays. Each participant receives time on the field with these baseball legends, as well as personalized photo and special mementos of the occasion. Prior to the on-field activity, participants and Hall of Famers will share a special breakfast in the Hall of Fame's Plaque Gallery.

This event is open to fans of all ages. The PLAY Ball opportunity is priced at $600 for members and $800 for non-members. Space is limited and the event is open for registration immediately. Interested participants can register by calling the Membership department at 607-547-0397. Additional Hall of Famers will be announced soon.

Hall of Fame Parade of Legends: Join the pageantry and excitement as the Hall of Famers ride in trucks provided by Ford Motor Company down Main Street on their way to a private reception at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Staging for the Parade takes place at Doubleday Field and fans are encouraged to attend the Awards Presentation prior to making their way to the Parade. Main Street, 6 p.m., Saturday.

Hall of Fame Members are afforded special opportunities throughout the Weekend. As a not-for-profit educational institution, membership support advances the Museum's programs and aids in the preservation of artifacts and archival materials that document the rich history of America's game. Additionally, membership packages are wonderful and unique gifts for friends and family. Members enjoy many privileges, including free admission to the Hall of Fame year-round. To learn more about the program and its many benefits, please visit www.baseballhall.org/join.

Additional Hall of Fame Weekend Privileges include:

• Free admission to the Museum throughout the year
• A special members-only entrance to the Hall of Fame to avoid long lines
• Exclusive early access to the Museum on Saturday and Sunday
• VIP reserved seating for the Induction for Benefactor and President's Circle Members
• Opportunity to reserve Grandstand Seating to the Awards Presentation
• Transportation provided to and from the Museum for special Weekend events

Parking will be extremely limited in Cooperstown during Hall of Fame Weekend. As is the case throughout the summer, the village will make parking and trolley service available at three trolley lots in Cooperstown. The Cooperstown Trolley will provide transit to the Baseball Hall of Fame and Doubleday Field from three different locations: the Blue Lot on Route 28, south of Cooperstown; the Red Lot on Route 28 (Glen Avenue) at Maple Street; and the Yellow Lot on Route 80 at the upper parking lot of the Fenimore Art Museum. All-day passes are available for $2 per adult and free for children 5 and under. The Trolley will operate throughout Hall of Fame Weekend from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Monday; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

If you need help with accommodations during your stay, you should plan to contact the Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce at 607-547-9983, or visit the Chamber Web site at www.cooperstownchamber.org. The Chamber of Commerce site provides detailed information about what to see, where to stay, places to eat and where to shop in Cooperstown and nearby towns. For driving directions from major cities, area cities and local airports, visit the directions page at the Hall of Fame's Web site for more information: www.baseballhall.org.

The Museum has teamed up with Sports Travel and Tours to offer baseball fans a one-stop opportunity to purchase Induction Weekend travel packages. For more information or to plan a trip to Cooperstown, please call 1-888-310-HALL (4255). Membership participants receive a 5% discount on all their baseball travel packages.

The Museum maintains the following Hall of Fame Weekend hours: Friday: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Saturday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sunday: 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Monday: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Advance tickets are not necessary but are available by contacting the Hall of Fame at 888-425-5633. For Hall of Fame Members, doors open at 7 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. As always, Hall of Fame Members receive free admission. A special Members' only entrance eliminates the need to wait in line. Interested parties may enroll in the membership program in advance or at the Museum.

The Baseball Writers Association of America will announce the results of its 2015 Hall of Fame election in January. Hall of Fame Weekend 2015 will be held July 24-27, 2015 in Cooperstown.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is open seven days a week year round, with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. The Museum observes summer hours of 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. from Memorial Day Weekend until the day before Labor Day. From Labor Day until Memorial Day Weekend, the Museum observes daily regular hours of 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Ticket prices are $19.50 for adults (13 and over), $12 for seniors (65 and over) and for those holding current memberships in the VFW, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion and AMVets organizations, and $7 for juniors (ages 7-12). Members are always admitted free of charge and there is no charge for children 6 years of age or younger. For more information, visit our Web site at baseballhall.org or call 888-HALL-OF-FAME (888-425-5633) or 607-547-7200.