When it became official that Monday’s final
Hall of Fame Game was rained out, fans who
traveled to witness the end of an era were left
disappointed, and at the same time wondering,
``Now what?’’
Since 1939, area fans have had the chance to
watch Major League Baseball players perform at
Doubleday Field. But in January, Major League
Baseball announced that this year’s game between
the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres would be
the final one. MLB officials cited scheduling
difficulties as the main reason for the cancellation
of the nearly 70-year Cooperstown tradition.
The decision saddened some and angered
others, but no one has been more vocal than
Cooperstown graduate Kristian Connolly. Shortly
after MLB’s announcement about the Game,
Connolly launched the website savethefamegame.
com. He has encouraged fans to write letters of
protest, written to MLB officials, politicians and
even players themselves in his efforts to see the
Fame Game tradition continue.
While Connolly’s mission to the save the game
will probably fall short, he has succeeded in
keeping the issue a hot topic, which in turn may
lead to a viable replacement in the years to
come.
When asked Tuesday about a possible
replacement for the Game next year, Hall of Fame
spokesman Brad Horn said recently, ``Nothing is
off the table.’’
``We’re exploring every possible option, and
we’re committed to replacing the game,’’ he
added.
In May, Doubleday Field hosted a Triple A
game between Syracuse and Rochester, and
before the game Hall President Jeff Idelson said
future Triple A games were one possible
replacement for the game.
As we’ve said in this space before, we’d prefer
an Old Timer’s Game, featuring Hall of Famers
and other retired major leaguers. We feel this
venue would be just as popular, if not more, than
the current format.
This would allow the popular home run derby
and parade to continue; Cooperstown’s students
to continue running the concession stands and
raise money; and take Major League Baseball out
of the equation. The Hall and the village, with
input from the public, can plan the event
together.
We hope the Hall of Fame elects to find a
replacement that will be more in line with what
the Hall of Fame Game offered residents — a
chance to see, and interact with, their baseball
heroes in an intimate setting like Doubleday
Field.
