Baseball HOF Replacing Exhibition Game With HOF Classic Weekend

The Baseball HOF is "replacing its defunct major league exhibition" with the HOF Classic Weekend, which will be highlighted by a "new game featuring Hall of Famers and other ex-major leaguers," according to Mark McGuire of the Albany TIMES UNION. The initial HOF Classic is "slated to debut next Father's Day weekend." Baseball HOF President Jeff Idelson in a statement said, "Given that Cooperstown is steeped in nostalgia, a legends-style baseball game is a natural fit." McGuire reports instead of MLB, the HOF "will host the game in conjunction with" the MLB Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA). Ex-MLBers -- including "at least four Hall of Famers -- will take part in the game, hitting contests, autograph sessions, as well as mingle more with the crowd." Other events, "including a skills clinic and an opportunity to play catch on the field, are also scheduled" (Albany TIMES UNION, 11/18). In New York, P.J. Harmer notes MLB in January cancelled the annual HOF Game, which was started in '40, and the HOF has "searched for a way to fill the gap on its schedule." Idelson: "This game will have plenty of star power. It's about drawing people." MLBPAA COO Geoff Hixson said that he "hoped to have a list of players sometime in early January, and he had spoken with a few players." Idelson noted that prices for the game "have not been set," but added "we fully intend for this to be a very affordable form of entertainment" (Oneonta DAILY STAR, 11/18).