Hit the ball and touch ‘em all

Today, with Jon in Athletics green and myself in Cubbies blue, we crossed something off our life’s “To Do” list—a trip to the Baseball Hall of Fame. We arrived in Oneonta this afternoon, set-up the pugs, and hit the road to Cooperstown. An otherwise small village in southern New York, Cooperstown was buzzing with baseball pilgrims waiting to gawk at Babe Ruth’s bat and inspect the newly hung plaques of Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripkin Jr. who were inducted just last week.

After a recent trip to NYC and visits to several museums there, the Baseball Hall of Fame was certainly our favorite. It was the type of museum that makes you feel like they want you there. The HOF is open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. daily during the summer. Upon entrance you get your hand stamped because you can come and go throughout the day. We also loved seeing that taking pictures and videotaping in the museum is welcome and “encouraged.” We didn’t feel like we had to hurry, miss a meal, whisper, or rely on mental pictures and gift shop baubles to remember our trip.

The museum has exhibits and memorabilia from all of baseball, as well as mini exhibits of Babe Ruth, the Women’s Leagues, African Americans in baseball, baseball in the movies, a small sculpture garden, and ballparks (called, “Sacred Ground”).