BASEBALL TOUR
National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum Induction Ceremony
Sunday, July 26, 2009
The 2009 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held on Sunday, July 26, 2009 beginning at 1:30 PM. Being inducted are Red Sox slugger Jim Rice, Athletics stolen base king Rickey Henderson, and Yankees legend Joe Gordon. The J.G. Taylor Spinks Award will be given to S.F. Giants writer Nick Peters for his meritous contributions to baseball writing. Tony Kubek, former Yankees player and color commentator for NBC, the Toronto Blue Jays, and the N.Y. Yankees will be awarded the Ford C. Frick Award for his major contributions to baseball through broadcasting.
Cooperstown is considered the birthplace of baseball. The village was established in 1786 by Judge William Cooper, father of author James Fenimore Cooper. Much of the surrounding land is described by Cooper in his novels 'The Deerslayer" and "The Pioneers". Otsego Lake borders Cooperstown and is the source of the Susquehanna River. 2000 people live in the village, including members of the Anheuser-Busch family and the Clark family. The Clarks held half ownership in the patent for the Singer Sewing Machine. Their holdings in Cooperstown include the Otesga and the Cooper Inn, and they hae founding and retaining interests in the Baseball Hall of Fame and the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital. The Clark Foundation donates money and land to the village. Cooperstown is known for its Victorian charm and its museums. Besides the Baseball Hall of Fame, the village is home to The Farmers' Museum, The Fenimore Art Museum, The Soccer Hall of Fame annex, and the NY State Historical Association Library. World-famous Glimmerglass Opera, and Hyde Hall- home to the Leatherstocking Theater Company- are popular attractions. Because of the prominence of the Baseball Hall of Fame, Main Street has been transformed into a collection of baseball-related stores and restaurants.
Information:
-The Tour costs $79 per person. Discounts available for senior citizens and children under 13. Group rates may be available.
-The Tour includes round-trip transportation, a ticket to the Baseball Hall of Fame, admission to the Induction Ceremony, an information packet, refreshments, and prizes. You may bring your own chairs, blankets, and backpacks.
-Romy's Tours currently accepts checks and money orders only.
-Checks and money orders should be made out to: Romy's Tours.
-Payment in full is required at registration.
-No cancelletions or refunds without approval of Romy's Tours management.
6:00 AM 
| Bus departs from Braintree, MA area and Lowell, MA Entertainment Tours will provide transportation for the group in one of their luxury Motor Coaches, which include air-conditioning, TVs, DVD players, and Restrooms. We will be showing baseball movies and there will be fun activities during the four hour plus drive to Cooperstown. |
10:30 AM 
| Group arrives in Cooperstown, NY The group will be dropped off at the Clark Sports Center. A shuttle bus is available to the Baseball Hall of Fame. A tour of the Baseball Hall of Fame takes about two hours, and features a library and three floors of exhibits representing nearly 150 years of baseball history. New inductees will be featured in an exhibit as well as in the Art Gallery, however their plaques will not be hung until after the end of the Induction Ceremony. The Baseball Hall of Fame store offers many souvenirs related to the new inductees and the Induction Ceremony. After visiting the Baseball Hall of Fame, grab a gourmet sandwich at Danny's Market or a slice at Sal's Pizza, both located one block from the Baseball Hall of Fame. Danny's and Sal's both offer sidewalk service for hot dogs and hamburgers. |
1:30 PM 
4:00 PM
6:00 PM | Induction Ceremony The Induction Ceremony begins around 1:30 PM on the grounds of the Clark Sports Center, located on Susquehanna Ave one mile south of the Baseball Hall of Fame. The Induction Ceremony is held outdoors, during normally very warm weather, so bring sun-screen and a baseball cap. There are refreshments available, porta-potties nearby, and a medical team that walks through the crowd. Interpreters are on-hand for the hearing impaired. The ceremony is open to the public and is free of charge. Lawn seating is available. The festivities normally last two to three hours, depending on how long Rickey talks about Rickey! Free Time on Main Street When Rickey finishes talking, or when you've heard enough, head back to Main Street for some free time before the bus leaves at 6:00 PM. Two blocks of baseball-themed stores and restaurants offer something for everyone. A great selection of souvenirs can be found at Mickey's Place and 7th Inning Stretch. The Book Nook offers the best of new baseball-related books, while Willis Monie has rare used books. If you're thirsy, grab a beer at Doubleday Cafe or Cooley's. If you want to relax, Lake Front Park, at the end of Hoffman Lane, offers a quiet exile from the bustle of Main Street, as well as a stunning panorama of Otsego Lake. Doubleday Field is just off Main Street and is the legendary birthplace of baseball. An ATM is located at Key Bank. Bus departs from Cooperstown, NY |