Save the Hall of Fame Game
Contact:
Kristian Connolly
savethefamegame@gmail.com
Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) Joins savethefamegame.com in Urging Selig, Fehr to Reverse Decision to Cancel Baseball's Hall of Fame Game
Hinchey is Fifth Member of Congress to Voice Opposition to Ending Nearly 70-Year-Old Baseball and American Tradition
WASHINGTON, DC (Mar. 17, 2008) -- United States Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-22, N.Y.) joined a growing number of Americans by sending a letter today to Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig and Major League Baseball Players Association executive director Donald Fehr urging them to reconsider the recent decision to discontinue the annual Hall of Fame Game in Cooperstown following the 2008 season.
Cooperstown native Kristian Connolly, creator of savethefamegame.com, said, "Representative Hinchey's support shows that this is not only a district issue, but is an issue that all New Yorkers -- and Americans nationwide -- have a stake in. By joining Senators Clinton and Schumer and Representatives Arcuri and Gillibrand, Mr. Hinchey has shown tremendous leadership and has greatly bolstered the campaign to keep this almost 70-year-old baseball and American tradition alive."
As Rep. Hinchey noted in his letter to Mr. Selig and Mr. Fehr, "At a time when the reputation of professional baseball is in jeopardy due to the negative attention surrounding recent scandals, the last thing Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association should be doing is ending a tradition that everyone can rally around. ... I urge you to reconsider your decision to end the Hall of Fame Game and take an opportunity to remind America why baseball is so important to our identity."
The full text of Rep. Hinchey's press release and letter are copied below, and can also be found here: http://www.house.gov/apps/list
Here's a quick rundown of what's been happening since savethefamegame.com launched early last month:
- The campaign continues to grow by the day, with an average of roughly 15 letters per day sent to MLB, the MLBPA and the Hall of Fame.
- The Hall of Fame allowed savethefamegame.com to interact with its ticket-buying customers on March 8 on Hall of Fame property, and the Hall been on record in the media as supporting a fans movement to save the Hall of Fame Game and having the tradition continue beyond 2008.
- Due in large part to the assistance of savethefamegame.com and the legitimacy its supporters has helped the campaign generate, five members of Congress have sent their own letters to Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association, and we hope to announce more congressional support in the near future.
- Media outlets and bloggers from California, Texas, Minnesota, New
York and more have been covering the campaign in print and on radio.
- Roadside advertising is now in place on the main highway into Cooperstown from the south.
- Main St. businesses in Cooperstown are now displaying "savethefamegame.com" fliers, and distributing 2 1/2 x 4 inch cards to customers with information about savethefamegame.com and the campaign to save the Hall of Fame Game.
- Local government has stepped up as well, with the Otsego County Board voicing its opposition to the cancellation, while New York state Senator Jim Seward has asked the White House to get involved.
Congressman Hinchey's Press Release and Letter
March 17, 2008
Hinchey Calls on Major League Baseball to
Keep Annual Hall of Fame Game in Cooperstown, NY
Washington, DC -- Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) today called upon Major League Baseball (MLB) and the MLB Players Association to abandon their decision to end the annual Hall of Fame Game that takes place in Cooperstown, NY.
"The Hall of Fame Game has been bringing together baseball fans from all over the country since 1940," wrote Hinchey in a letter sent today to MLB Commissioner Bud Selig and MLB Players Association Executive Director Donald Fehr. "I urge you to reconsider your decision to end the Hall of Fame Game and take an opportunity to remind America why baseball is so important to our identity."
On January 29, 2008, MLB announced that the final Hall of Fame Game would take place this year, ending a tradition that was started in 1940. The game has had a critical role in the economy of Cooperstown. If no future games occur, many local businesses will be adversely affected. Additionally, local high school students who work at concession stands during the game will be unable to raise funds for their annual school trip to Washington, D.C.
"At a time when the reputation of professional baseball is in jeopardy due to the negative attention surrounding recent scandals, the last thing Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association should be doing is ending a tradition that everyone can rally around." Hinchey wrote in the letter, "Surely, at a time when Major League Baseball is taking in record profits and has the ability to charter private jets for teams, it isn't asking a great deal to keep this important tradition alive."
For more information on efforts to save the Hall of Fame Game please visit www.savethefamegame.com.
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The full text of Hinchey's letter to Selig and Fehr follows:
March 17, 2008
Mr. Allan H. "Bud" Selig, Commissioner Mr. Donald Fehr, Executive Director
Major League Baseball
245 Park Avenue, 31st Floor 12 East 49th Street, 24th Floor
New York, NY 10167
Dear Commissioner Selig and Mr. Fehr:
I write as a longtime baseball fan and Member of Congress to express my disappointment with Major League Baseball's decision to end the annual Hall of Fame Game held in Cooperstown, New York. The Hall of Fame Game has been bringing together baseball fans from all over the country since 1940. During this game, fans have the opportunity to step back in time and players have the opportunity of standing on the same mound where some of baseball's greats once stood. The Doubleday Field represents the beginning of baseball and is one of the few remaining fields in the country where players have the opportunity to relive history.
For many upstate New Yorkers, this is their opportunity to see a Major League Baseball game without having to travel a far distance. Ending the Hall of Fame Game tradition will deny local baseball fans this opportunity. This would also hurt local businesses in the city of Cooperstown who rely on the influx of tourists who attend the game. In addition, local high school students will miss out on raising charitable funds by running the concession stands at the game. The money pays for their annual senior class trip to Washington, D.C. where they have the opportunity to learn a great deal about our nation's government.
This event is a tradition that has survived for nearly 70 years. At a time when the reputation of professional baseball is in jeopardy due to the negative attention surrounding recent scandals, the last thing Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association should be doing is ending a tradition that everyone can rally around. Surely, at a time when Major League Baseball is taking in record profits and has the ability to charter private jets for teams, it isn't asking a great deal to keep this important tradition alive. I urge you to reconsider your decision to end the Hall of Fame Game and take an opportunity to remind America why baseball is so important to our identity.
Thank you in advance for your prompt attention to my request.
Sincerely,
Maurice D. Hinchey