If anyone has ever been I would like to hear what you thank about Cooper's town. We will not get to go for at least a year or two. I have always wonted to see the HOF. But I would also like to know if its a place where my wife and kids could have a good time. my girls are not real big on baseball.
Thanks Hoss ************************************************************ 06-03-06, 04:57 PM DorianGreyed Koz is the person to answer this, but, until he does, I can only offer this suggestion: Would your girls like to see the real women that the movie " A League of Their Own" was based on? As I understand it, there is a section of the HoF (or a separate room ) devoted to women's professional baseball. It seems to me that seeing that section would provide a teachable moment about women's history. ************************************************************ 06-03-06, 06:19 PM HOSS DG
I never thought about that. They love that movie and I know that would be fun for them. that will give me something that might just sell them on the trip. I would also enjoy that.
Thank you Hoss ************************************************************ 06-04-06, 12:14 AM DorianGreyed Big Grin
Diamond Dreams Exhibit Honors Women's Role in National Pastime
Exhibit Dedicated on Mother's Day with Honored Guests, including former All-American Girls League Players
May 14, 2006
This Sunday, reality finally met popular expectation with the dedication of Diamond Dreams: Women in Baseball at the Hall of Fame. Diamond Dreams is a 600 square foot, updated version of an exhibit on the history of women in baseball that has been on display since 1988.
“That movie was 1992, and almost 15 years later, we’re finally getting a chance to tell this whole, entire story of women in baseball in a space that is a little more fitting than a one-panel exhibit case,” said John Odell, lead curator for Diamond Dreams and curator of history and research for the Museum. “We got a chance to go back – there’s a lot of research that took place over the past 20 years since the exhibit first opened. We took advantage of that and created this.
Diamond Dreams features three main segments: On the Field, In the Office and In the Stands. On the Field focuses on the stories of women competing in baseball, from the AAGBPL to Ila Borders and other women who competed in men’s leagues. In the Office highlights the roles of female owners and other executive positions. In the Stands, a previously unexplored section, offers information regarding the roles of female fans, those women who work in baseball as broadcasters, public address announcers and more, as well as the cultural impact of A League of Their Own. - BaseballHallofFame.org ************************************************************ 06-04-06, 02:52 AM HOSS That sounds great. this could help a great deal in my case to visit Copper's town.
I mean a woman should won't to see this right. these were brave ladys. not scared to step into a "mans game". This should make any man or woman proud.
a little rehearsing for my wife. it just might work.
It really sounds great DG Thanks alot. Hoss ************************************************************ 06-08-06, 09:18 AM Koz I have been to Cooperstown many, many times. (I am even on a first name basis with several shop owners Roll Eyes ) I attend the yearly Induction Weekend festivities that honor and enshrine the newly elected members. This year will be the tenth consecutive time. (I believe the first one I attended was in 1989) Cooperstown on Induction Weekend has a “feel” like no other town I have ever been to. For a true baseball fan it is heaven on earth Cool .
I would not recommend your first trip to Cooperstown on Induction Weekend. It is crowded and electric but your wife and kids could become easily overwhelmed. Cooperstown is normally a sleepy little town. (About 1,200 residents)
I visit the Baseball Hall of Fame Museum every couple of years. They recently (Last year) once again extended the museum and rearranged / changed many of the exhibits. There are interactive exhibits now and the museum itself displays more items. The Women of Baseball Exhibit is not like shown in the movie “A League of Their Own” but it is very informative and nice. It is my second favorite baseball movie by the way, and I even have a sign above the door of my “memorabilia” room that says “There’s no crying in baseball”. My wife purchased that for me in a craft store in Cooperstown a couple of years ago Cool .
Asides from the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and numerous baseball related shops on Main Street the locals are not dumb folk Wink . They know families come and all might not be interested in baseball. There are many craft shops, food establishments, and other stores on Main Street and Pioneer Street.
There are other museums in town also. The Farmer’s Museum located just past the Otesaga Hotel and next to one of the finest golf courses in the Northeast (Leatherstocking Golf Course) has a new addition this year. They purchased and refurbished a carrousel and it will be operational very soon if it is not already. The Farmer’s Museum is a nice family thing to do.
The Fenimore Art Museum in Cooperstown has a wide range of North American Indian artifacts and artwork on display and is one of the places I am sure to visit often as it is an ever changing and very interesting place.
There are several parks close by that are absolutely beautiful, I love Glimmerglass Park. There is even the Glimmerglass Opera house that they regularly put on top notch operas and plays.
One of the best places to eat in the Hawkeye Bar and Grill located in the Otesaga Hotel. They have an outdoor deck that overlooks the magnificent grounds and having Lake Otesaga as a backdrop is great, and it is not too expensive.
The best family style restaurant in Cooperstown is TJ’s located on Main Street directly across from Doubleday Field. Great food great people, and very reasonably priced.
The Fly Creek Cider Mill located just outside of Cooperstown is a fun family place. There is even a Christmas Store next to it that is tricked out like Christmas all year long.
Just outside of Cooperstown there are many other attractions and things to do that are guaranteed to keep a family of all interests busy and happy. If you have some more specific thoughts as to what your family would like to do I would be happy to offer my opinion on where to go.
My personal experience and knowledge of Cooperstown and the surrounding areas comes not only for my love of baseball but the fact my mother in law has owned a little lakeside house in Richfield Springs for over 20 years Big Grin . (15 miles north of Cooperstown) I go to the area several times a year and know it very, very well. ************************************************************ 06-08-06, 10:34 AM DorianGreyed I told you that Koz was the person to answer this question. Big Grin
Koz, of all the "What is (this place) like, where should I go" answers I have seen on AP, this one is the best. Great job. ************************************************************ 06-08-06, 11:15 AM Koz Thanks DG, this is one subject and destination that I am indeed a self proclaimed “expert” on. I know Cooperstown and the surrounding areas like the back of my hand. I am an obsessed baseball fan and my need to be outdoors makes the area a “Mecca” of sorts to me Roll Eyes .
Another great thing about Cooperstown is that you never know who will be in town on any given day. Asides from Induction Weekend that draws baseball players, celebrities, and politicians these folk can be seen here and there during less crowded times.
I am always prepared and narrowly missed getting President George W. Bush’s autograph on a baseball during Induction Weekend in 1999. (He was running for president then and I bumped into him early one morning on Main Street as he exited the Hall of Fame) He signed a few things for people and held my ball as his security people whispered something in his ear and politely apologized for having to go as he handed my ball back to me. I did manage to get his dad's autograph that year Wink .
A couple of years ago in the fall we bumped into President Clinton and Senator Clinton as they were in town. Personably he is a really nice man and both of the Clintons gladly signed a ball for me as we chatted.
A few years ago in the spring I met Charlie Sheen and Martin Sheen in a store on Main Street. I did not ask for any autographs but did have a great conversation with Charlie Sheen and his dad hit me on the shoulder accidentally while waving a bat that he was purchasing in the store .
Bob Feller, Gaylord Perry, Brooks Robinson, and several members of The Baseball Hall of Fame are constant visitors in Cooperstown. There are also often women in town that played in the All American Girls Professional Baseball League. ************************************************************ 06-09-06, 01:54 AM HOSS Wow that sounds great. even better then the things I have heard. I am really looking forward to the trip.
Thanks Koz. and thanks again DG. I have got to ask Koz you said your second favorite baseball movie...what is your favorite if you don't mind me asking.
Thanks Hoss ************************************************************ 06-09-06, 07:45 AM Koz I don’t mind mentioning what my favorite baseball movie of all time is at all Hoss; for I have seen heaven, and it is in Iowa Wink .
The movie “Field of Dreams” is my all time favorite baseball movie for several reasons. One reason is they made reference to one of the most obscure players and gave him his due. Archibald “Moonlight” Graham was indeed a professional baseball player that never had a turn at bat. He did become a doctor and helped people for many years. Another reason is I have had a very strained and turbulent relationship with my father and somehow I still have hope things someday will be “right” Roll Eyes .
My favorite quote of the movie is from Terrance Mann:
“Ray, people will come Ray. They'll come to Iowa for reasons they can't even fathom. They'll turn up your driveway not knowing for sure why they're doing it. They'll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the past. Of course, we won't mind if you look around, you'll say. It's only $20 per person. They'll pass over the money without even thinking about it: for it is money they have and peace they lack. And they'll walk out to the bleachers; sit in shirtsleeves on a perfect afternoon. They'll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they'll watch the game and it'll be as if they dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick they'll have to brush them away from their faces. People will come Ray.”
“The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again. Oh... people will come Ray. People will most definitely come.”
The part I put in bold holds very special meaning to me. I am an obsessive New York Mets fan that goes to Opening Day (A holiday to me Big Grin ) every year I can. Listening to “Sports Radio 66” along with all the other Mets fans on Opening Day 2002 that passage was played on the radio as we were preparing to enter Shea Stadium. You could have heard a pin drop from the hundreds of people around that moments before were quite boisterous.
I have played baseball on Doubleday Field and knocked a couple into the corn in Dyersville Iowa Cool . There is nothing like losing one’s self for a few hours playing or watching baseball. To me there is nothing else that even comes close.
I know Hoss I am crazy, but I like myself. Big Grin ************************************************************ 06-09-06, 03:11 PM HOSS Koz I love field of dreams. My five year old son also loves it. So I get to watch it often.
I agree with you about baseball. I know it has been an escape for me through some bad times and I also believe it has kept me out of alot of trouble through the years.
Koz I get called crazy all the time over baseball. most of my family does not like it at all. They wonder why I do and I wonder how they can not. Its not crazy its lucky.
Thanks. Hoss
This message has been edited. Last edited by: DorianGreyed,
) devoted to women's professional baseball. It seems to me that seeing that section would provide a teachable moment about women's history.
