The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York

Cooperstown is a little bit off the beaten track so that you can easily get lost, which I did on my first trip to that memorable shrine. It is located on Otsego Lake between Utica and Albany in New York State, but takes you down a few side roads before it comes into view.

The myth that Abner Doubleday invented baseball in 1839 in Cooperstown was once widely believed. This has since been proven false. It is now more widely accepted that Alexander Cartwright invented the modern game of baseball. He is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, whereas Doubleday is not a member. In 1953, Congress officially credited Cartwright with the invention, and there it stands until proven otherwise.

When you finally reach the site of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, the Plaque Gallery on the first floor is the magnificent centerpiece with 292 bronze inductee plaques lining its walls, beginning with those from 1936. The bookstore and museum as well as a fine arts gallery can be found on the first floor. Baseball-themed paintings by Norman Rockwell and Andy Warhol may be purchased here.

On the second floor, a theater and additional displays are open to the public. The third floor displays baseball cards, illustrations and artifacts of every size and description. There is also a section here where you can view a video of the famed Abbott and Costello satire "Who's on First?" The suggestion is to start on the third floor and work your way down.

Throughout the museum, you will come upon artifacts connected with famous baseball players, such as:

Yogi Berra's catcher's mitt.
Curt Schilling's bloody sock when he played for the Red Sox with an injured ankle.
Babe Ruth's first contract with the Red Sox.
Don Larsen's game ball from his perfect game in the 1956 World Series. Ron Blomberg's bat used when he walked as the first designated hitter in baseball history.
HankGreenberg's ball which he hit for his 300^th career homerun in 1946.
The rare and valuable Honus Wagner baseball card from the early 1900s, once owned by Wayne Gretzky.

For the first time in 2011, the Baseball Hall of Fame Induction events will take place over a long weekend, from July 22 through July 25, with the actual ceremony taking place on Sunday, July 24 at 1:30 p.m. The 2011 induction class consists of second baseman Roberto Alomar, pitcher Bert Blyleven and executive Pat Gillick. Fifty Hall of Fame members will return to Cooperstown on that day to honor the new inductees. In years past, between 10,000 and 75,000 fans have gathered on the Sports Center lawn to watch the Ceremony. The Ceremony is free and no tickets are required.

The address and phone number of the Hall of Fame is listed below:

National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
25 Main Street , Cooperstown, NY 13326
Phone: 1-888-Hall-of-Fame

Admission is $16.50 for adults with a discount for AAA members.

Sources:

AAA Magazine - Cooperstown by Dan Schlossberg

http://www.suite101.com/content/national-baseball-hall-of-fame-in-cooperstown-ny-on-otsego-lake-a224500

http://sportsmedianews.com/07/2010-national-baseball-hall-of-fame-induction-ceremony-to-air-exclusively-on-mlb-network

http://www.yelp.com/biz/national-baseball-hall-of-fame-and-museum-cooperstown