HOF Classic Weekend features game's biggest stars

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. -- The legends of the game are once again returning to Cooperstown for Father's Day weekend. Baseball fans are making plans for the ultimate Father's Day weekend experience, as the annual celebration of Dad moves to the Saturday before Father's Day.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum will host Hall of Fame Classic Weekend, June 15-17, with the participation of six Hall of Fame members highlighting the Fourth Annual Hall of Fame Classic, presented by the Ford Motor Company, at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, N.Y.

Classic Weekend will feature a slate of family friendly activities, highlighted by the return of the Hall of Fame Classic, a seven-inning legends game featuring six Hall of Famers and 20 other retired Major League stars, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 16. Other activities planned for Classic Weekend include a Hall of Fame golf tournament fundraiser for the Museum, the Youth Skills Clinic hosted by several former Major League players, a special Voices of the Game program, and other unique programs throughout the Museum.

"We listened to fans about their ability to attend the game on Father's Day, and we believe that a switch to Saturday enables a larger potential pool of families to experience this wonderful Cooperstown tradition," said Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson. "We have experienced great success with the Hall of Fame Classic and Classic Weekend in its first three years, with the support of visitors, the game's players, Ford Motor Company, the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association and the entire Cooperstown community. We look forward to welcoming fans back and greeting new ones as well."

Hall of Famers Phil Niekro and Ozzie Smith will return as team captains to headline the Hall of Fame Classic, with preliminary rosters of more than 20 other former big leaguers and additional Hall of Famers to be announced this spring. The 2012 Hall of Fame Classic will once again be staged in conjunction with the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association.

Tickets for the 2012 Hall of Fame Classic will first be available on Saturday, April 14, in person at the Museum, online at baseballhall.org or via phone at 1-866-849-7770, beginning at 9 a.m. ET. Tickets are $12.50 for first- and third-base seats and $11 for outfield seats. Ticket buyers may first line up at 6 a.m. on April 14. Overnight camping is not permitted.

The 2012 Hall of Fame Classic Weekend, including the Hall of Fame Classic, will be presented by Ford Motor Company for the fourth straight season.

The Hall of Fame Classic will be once again preceded by the Cooperstown Game Day Parade, presented by the Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce, the village of Cooperstown and the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, beginning at noon on June 16 on Main Street. Game participants will ride in the parade on their way to Doubleday Field. Following the Cooperstown Game Day Parade, the Legends Hitting Contest will be held at Doubleday Field at 1 p.m., followed by the Hall of Fame Classic at 2 p.m.

At 7 p.m. on June 16, the Hall of Fame members in attendance will be featured in a roundtable discussion of baseball at Doubleday Field in a one-hour reflection on their memories of the game. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children and seating is limited. For more information, please call 607-547-0397.

The third annual Cooperstown Golf Classic on Sunday, June 17 will feature several Hall of Famers and serve as a fundraiser for the Hall of Fame's educational programs. A unique social experience providing memories and camaraderie that will last a lifetime, golfers of any ability will enjoy a private cocktail reception in the Hall of Fame plaque gallery, breakfast on the Leatherstocking Golf Course clubhouse verandah, a round of golf in a scramble format at Leatherstocking, and conclude with a luncheon and awards ceremony, all in the company of the Hall of Famers. Many other amenities are included, as well. Space is limited to only 24 participants. For information, please call 607-547-0310.

On Friday, June 15, the Museum will host the Legends for Youth Skills Clinic for kids ages 7-12, from 4-7 p.m. Hosted in conjunction with the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association, the clinic gives youth participants a chance to learn hands-on training from several former Major League stars. The event concludes with an autograph session for participants. Registration is free, but limited and begins April 16 by calling 607-547-0397.

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 regular hours of 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. from Labor Day until Memorial Day Weekend. From Memorial Day through the day before Labor Day, the Museum is open from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. seven days a week. 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 website at baseballhall.org or call 888-HALL-OF-FAME (888-425-5633) or 607-547-7200.