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BY JOEY CAPORALI
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Cooperstown hosted the third annual Hall of Fame Classic last weekend and, this year touted more than just a Father’s Day ballgame consisting of legends of baseball’s past.
The Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce teamed with the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and the village of Cooperstown to present what is now the Hall of Fame Classic Fest.
In addition to the scheduled baseball activities, sponsored by the Hall of Fame, the Chamber of Commerce hosted and coordinated the first Classic Fest in Doubleday Field parking lot.
For the music lover, there was Slick Fitty, a band with its blend of rockabilly, country and ‘50s rock-and-roll played two sets at 1 and 4 p.m. While tourists and locals enjoyed the exhibitors and vendors that featured Cooperstown Bat Co., Cooperstown Cookie Co., Cooperstown High School, Davidson’s Jewelry/Little Bo’Tique, animals, The Farmers’Museum, The Fenimore Art Museum, Peanut Principle, Rad Soaps and many more.
“Things went smoothly. There was a lot of foot traffic in and out of the lot and all vendors appeared to be pleased. We are happy with the weekend and have hopes that it continues to grow,” said Susan O’Handley, executive director of the Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce.
And on Saturday, the farmers ‘ market, a staple of Cooperstown celebrated its 20th anniversary.
Sunday, under clear blue skies, the Classic Weekend Parade on Main Street featured local dignitaries, sponsoring businesses and organizations, and musical performances.
The parade was highlighted by Hall of Famers and Major League Baseball alumni.
A pre-game homerun derby on Doubleday Field was won by Dmitri Young, who was also named Most Valuable Player in the game.
HOF President Jeff Idelson,said the Most Valuable Player award will be named in Bob Feller’s honor. Feller was a starting pitcher for the inaugural Classic in 2009 and threw out the ceremonial first pitch last year. He died on Dec. 15, 2010.
Remembered before the game were Feller, along with fellow Hall of Famers Sparky Anderson, Harmon Killebrew and Duke Snider ; all of whom died in the lastyear. Feller’s widow, Anne, presented the ceremonial first pitch before the game, and after the game, presented the Most Valuable Player Award to Young.
In front of a crowd that numbered more than 5,000, The Knucksies, headed by famed knuckleball pitcher Phil Niekro, won a tight battle, 8 to 6, over The Wizards. The game featured Hall of Famers Andre Dawson, Goose Gossage, Phil Niekro, Jim Rice, Ozzie Smith and Dick Williams.
The former big leaguers included Joel Bennett, Steve Braun, Frank Catalanotto, Don DeMola, Frank DiPino, John Doherty, Doug Glanville, Steve Grilli, Jim Hannan, Dave Henderson, Phil Huffman, Bob Kaiser, Rick Lancellotti, Jack Lazorko, Bill Lee, Oreste Marrero, Dale Murphy, Billy Sample, Reggie Sanders, Mike Timlin, Jon Warden, Willie Wilson, Rick Wise and Dmitri Young.
“This is a special day to be with family,” Gossage said. “It is very family oriented and on Fathers Day how much better does it get?”
“We are all old, some over 50, we have Flexall on, and Andre (Dawson) has his Tylenol and his Advil. So it’s not for us, believe me, it’s for the fans,” Rice said. The next big event for the Hall of Fame is the 2011 induction ceremony on July 24.
This year’s class of inductees are Bert Blyleven, Roberto Alomar and Pat Gillick.
Local News
Events fill Father’s Day weekend in Cooperstown
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Caregivers and care partners play key role in getting well
