Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony - Timeshare Users Group Online Community Forums

jdbacz · April 15, 2007, 10:58 PM

Has anybody been to a previous Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony? We're thinking of making this a part of our trip to the Berkshires in July. I'm looking for info on how early we'd have to arrive, how's the parking, how's the crowd?? If we're doing it in one day, is there enough time to tour the museum before/after the ceremony? thanks!

GaleC · April 16, 2007, 05:56 PM

I have not been to the Induction Ceremony, but I have stayed in the Berkshires and taken a day trip to the Hall of Fame. Based on our experience, I'm thinking touring the museum AND attending the ceremony in one day -- and still driving back to Massachusetts will be difficult. It was an all day affair for us to travel over and back and spend enough time at the museum to make it worth while.
Add to that, the crowds that will be in town and I'm thinking it will slow your driving down to a crawl. Good luck!

PeterS · April 16, 2007, 10:51 PM

We have been to one of the inductions and while it is an interesting experience, it is overwhelming. Cooperstown is a very small town about 3-4 blocks long and one main street and it is easily overwhelmed by people. For induction, the one large resort is taken over by the Hall and used for only hall members, inductees, and their guests... the motels are small and basic and few and they are mobbed. The usual parking in town will be replaced by remote parking miles from town. You will have to come in by shuttle. People start staking out the best spots days ahead of time. Most make their reservation for the next year before they leave from this year's ceremony so they know how to work the system.

If you are just going for the day and need to drive in from the Berkshires, you will have a long drive in, you will be so late you will be in the furthest remote parking trying to get in by overpacked shuttles. You will arrive too late to get any decent place to see the event, and when it is over, you will have to wait through many packed shuttles to get back to your car for a long drive back... not very appetizing.

Also, the museum is fantastic but it is so packed on induction weekend that you can't enjoy it... we actually have been back a couple times since but avoid induction weekend so we can enjoy the museum.

If you are in the Berskires for a week, and don't mind the drive, you can go a week or so before or after, and you will enjoy yourself.

Think Times Square at midnight New Years Eve...

Good luck,
Pete

gerryc28 · April 21, 2007, 09:48 PM

With the exception of a couple of years, I have been going to the induction ceremonies for the last 40 years, so I think I speak with experience. The worst day to go to the museum is induction day, you will not have time to tour it and go to the ceremony. Cooperstown will be mobbed this year with Ripken getting in. If you want to even get half way close to the stage, get there early in the morning and lay a blanket or chair down - nobody will bother it. Stay away from the outer parking lots and shuttle - there's always a place to park if you look around or you can pay to park on someone's lawn. Like they said, there will be long lines for the shuttles. I usually park by the hospital and make the five minute walk to the grounds.

Gerry

April 15, 2007, 10:58 PM	#1
jdbacz TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Location: Damascus, MD Posts: 22	Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Has anybody been to a previous Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony? We're thinking of making this a part of our trip to the Berkshires in July. I'm looking for info on how early we'd have to arrive, how's the parking, how's the crowd?? If we're doing it in one day, is there enough time to tour the museum before/after the ceremony? thanks!

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April 16, 2007, 05:56 PM	#2
GaleC TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Apr 10, 07 Location: Florida Posts: 5	I have not been to the Induction Ceremony, but I have stayed in the Berkshires and taken a day trip to the Hall of Fame. Based on our experience, I'm thinking touring the museum AND attending the ceremony in one day -- and still driving back to Massachusetts will be difficult. It was an all day affair for us to travel over and back and spend enough time at the museum to make it worth while. Add to that, the crowds that will be in town and I'm thinking it will slow your driving down to a crawl. Good luck!

April 16, 2007, 10:51 PM	#3
PeterS TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Posts: 120	We have been to one of the inductions and while it is an interesting experience, it is overwhelming. Cooperstown is a very small town about 3-4 blocks long and one main street and it is easily overwhelmed by people. For induction, the one large resort is taken over by the Hall and used for only hall members, inductees, and their guests... the motels are small and basic and few and they are mobbed. The usual parking in town will be replaced by remote parking miles from town. You will have to come in by shuttle. People start staking out the best spots days ahead of time. Most make their reservation for the next year before they leave from this year's ceremony so they know how to work the system. If you are just going for the day and need to drive in from the Berkshires, you will have a long drive in, you will be so late you will be in the furthest remote parking trying to get in by overpacked shuttles. You will arrive too late to get any decent place to see the event, and when it is over, you will have to wait through many packed shuttles to get back to your car for a long drive back... not very appetizing. Also, the museum is fantastic but it is so packed on induction weekend that you can't enjoy it... we actually have been back a couple times since but avoid induction weekend so we can enjoy the museum. If you are in the Berskires for a week, and don't mind the drive, you can go a week or so before or after, and you will enjoy yourself. Think Times Square at midnight New Years Eve... Good luck, Pete

April 21, 2007, 09:48 PM	#4
gerryc28 Guest BBS Reg. Date: Feb 2, 06 Posts: 16	With the exception of a couple of years, I have been going to the induction ceremonies for the last 40 years, so I think I speak with experience. The worst day to go to the museum is induction day, you will not have time to tour it and go to the ceremony. Cooperstown will be mobbed this year with Ripken getting in. If you want to even get half way close to the stage, get there early in the morning and lay a blanket or chair down - nobody will bother it. Stay away from the outer parking lots and shuttle - there's always a place to park if you look around or you can pay to park on someone's lawn. Like they said, there will be long lines for the shuttles. I usually park by the hospital and make the five minute walk to the grounds. Gerry