HOF/New York Question

Sheamaster

I'm planning on going to the Baseball HOF this summer for the HOF inductions.

I waited too long to get a hotel near Cooperstown and am planning on flying into and staying near Albany. It looks like it's about 1.5 hr driver from Cooperstown and hotels are normal rates.

So my question is; other than the longer drive, is there any reason not to stay in Albany? Any advice/recommendations greatly appreciated before I book my flight.

Also, what is the process for getting into the induction ceremony? I would presume there is a pretty long line? What time would you plan on being in line for the induction ceremony on Sunday?

This will be my first trip so another other advice regarding HOF weekend would be appreciated as well.

bri2327

No reason at all not to stay in Albany.

Its darn ner impossible to stay anywhere near Cooperstown on induction weekend and the prices are insane.

The drive from Albany there is not bad at all. Great scenary and country along the way. Lots of places to eat, tons of small country stores and antiques along the way. You wont regret that short trip one bit.

As for the process of getting in I would only suggest you give them a call at the HOF and ask someone who works there and knows best. Everyone there is relatively friendly and more than willing to give you some tips and advice.

Hope some of this helps and have a great trip !

kylehess10

Wow, I heard that the hotels were backed up to Albany but I didn't know that it was actually true! I plan on going too. Thank god my aunt lives in the town next to Cooperstown up in the mountains. Do you know what time I should arrive on induction day? It's my first time ever going there for the induction and they estimate that approximately 100,000 people will be in Cooperstown so it's going to be a hectic weekend for everyone

ToppsCo1lector

Luckily for me a lifelong friend(as well as a sportsfanatic) lives in Galway NY(outside of Saratoga Springs) and we're going to the inductions. We're bringing a bunch of stuff to get signed, and we'll probably be there the day beforehand just to get a jump on some crowds. Not to sure, but I know him and I have a good amount of friends in Oneonta as well(which is a bit closer).

jeffcbay

I'm going too, and I also procrastinated on getting a hotel reservation. I went in 1999 when Ryan/Yount/Brett were inducted. They were also all first-time ballot HOF'ers, so it was PACKED. I heard it was the largest crowd in history, and I imaging this year will be no different. My plan as of right now is hitching a ride on one of the many busses going from Maryland to Cooperstown and back in the same day, but the idea of that SUCKS. If you say there are rooms available in Albany, I'm all over that!! I stopped my hotel searches at 1 hour away. It doesn't matter, if I have to sleep in the back of my Suburban, I will. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to hotels.com!!

RipublicaninMass

If you have a chance to stop by any antique stores, look for some t3's for me

yankeeno7

I live in a suburb of Albany and though its about an hour and a half drive, its an easy one.

Best directions from Albany to Cooperstown:
90 West to Exit 25A and take 88 West. I forget the number of the exit to Cooperstown but it is Route 28 North.
Once on 28, you are only about 15 miles from Cooperstown.

Best of luck on getting autos because it's going to be a MOB scene. There is pretty much NO parking so best thing to do is park where you can take one of the trolly cars in. You'll have to get there quite early.

You could always make the drive to Herkimer/Utica and stay the night there also. There isnt much in Herkimer and Utica is a total waste dump. Options are definately much better in Albany plus there are plenty of great places to eat. If you want to stay in Oneonta better make your reservations fast...but they will be costly. I'm talking like 300/night. The induction doesnt affect hotel prices in Albany.

I highly doubt you will get in where there is seating for the induction ceremony. Everyone sits on the hill and that is free. All of the seating is taken up by inductee families, media, HOF committee and management and their families, and people who have had the seats for YEARS. Unless of course you know one of those people and they give you their pass.....

Not sure what else to tell you other than have fun!

jeffcbay

Traffic will be crawling, if you're staying 1-1/2 hours away, leave no later than 7am for the 1:30pm ceremony. I'm staying in Binghamton.

Sheamaster

Thanks for the info!

cardpool

I was tempted to buy tickets via Coopertown HOF membership. They guaranteed two tickets for their $500 membership. I was tempted but decided to pass.

jeffcbay

Tickets to what, the game? I had no interest in seeing that. I just want to see the induction ceremony.

yankeeno7

jeffcbay
I think we are all talking about the ceremony. The HOF game is held on a completely different day.

ajw

Guys, if you're looking to make a full baseball weekend out of it, you should check out a minor league game. There are lots of teams in upstate New York. (My buddies made a roadie out of it a few years ago and had a blast!)

jeffcbay

Cardpool had mentioned buying tickets to something, and I was confused as to what the tickets were for. No biggie.

yankeeno7

Tickets to the ceremony. You cant just get in line and get seating...the reason everyone sits on the hill to watch and listen to the speeches.

jeffcbay

I know, but do they give out/sell tickets for the seats? I didn't think they did. It's first come first serve for the VERY limited seating, and it's free to the public to sit on the hill. Man it gets hot out there for that. Do they allow canopies and coolers? I know they allow lawn chairs. I'm sure it would be very rude to set up a canopy, but you can usually set those pretty low so it wouldn't block anyone, and you can take them down once the actual ceremony starts. No matter, I roughed it back in '99 in the 90+ degree sun, I can do it this year. YEAH BABY!!!

yankeeno7

As far as I know you can bring your own food/drinks. It's not going to be fun carrying that stuff around if you arent parked closeby!

ToppsCo1lector

Great to hear some of you guys are making the trip. It'll be my first HOF induction ceremony to be at, and it's going to be a great time. If anyone has the dates for me, plmk. I'm actually going to be up there for a while rebuilding my buddies house(dang housefires) so more than likely I'll be up there for 2.5-3 months.


yankeeno-I'm def. not getting a hotel room in Oneonta, I've got some friends at SUNY and at worst I'll crash at their place. It's a nice little town, some fun bars and if anyone does stay there I MUST reccomend cold cheese pizza, ask any local and they'll point you to the pizzeria that sells it. GREAT stuff. They bake the pies then add fresh cold Mozz to the top, and it hits the spot.

jeffcbay

I'll most likely just bring a back pack with bottle water in it. I remember walking about 1 mile and a half the last time we went there. Definitely a grueling experience.

How is Binghamton, is that a decent town? I'm coming from Northeast Ohio, and my Father is coming from Northern Maryland, so that was a good spot for us to meet up at.

yankeeno7

Toppscollector
You are so right about fun bars in Oneonta and even more right about the cold cheese pizza!! Also, those taco stands outside the bars late at night when you get the munchies after a few beers! I'm not a young buck anymore but when I was in college, we used to go to Oneonta just to party!

Jeffcbay
Personally, Im not a big fan of Binghamton but I can understand that its a good place to meet up. Plus you are only another hour and a half from Cooperstown. Im sure you can find nice accomodations there.

ToppsCo1lector

Finally someone who knows about that pizza! I went up there for an open-bar night for the SUNY rugby team. That hit the spot. Great bar too, all I remember it was right next to the fire house if I remember correctly. Great times.

Does anyone have the date for the HOF induction ceremony? Thanks!

jeffcbay

Sunday, July 29th at 1:30pm.

jeffcbay

It's funny, I live in Canton Ohio, home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, I drive past it twice a day, and I've never been to a Football induction ceremony. I've at least been inside it a couple times though. Sorry, off topic.

ToppsCo1lector

Wow. It's on my birthday. That's cool.