HALL OF FAME OPENS FOR OUR 15TH SEASON IN ST. MARYS

On Saturday, May 5th the Hall of Fame will open its doors for another outstanding season. The Hall will be open weekends only

photo courtesy of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame

inMay, Saturdays 10:30 – 4:00 and Sundays 12:00 – 4:00 (plus Victoria day 10:30 – 4:00). From June 1st to Thanksgiving weekend, the Hall of Fame will be open daily (Monday through Saturday) from 10:30 – 4:00 and Sundays 12:00 – 4:00.

The Hall’s first large event is the Aquafina Pitch Hit Run skills competition for kids ages 7-14 on Saturday, May 12th at 10am on Rotary Field. This event is free and kids will be grouped by age level as they throw strikes, run the bases and hit the ball off a tee for distance and accuracy.

The Hall of Fame will host St. Marys Minor Ball day on June 16th with as many as 12 games taking place on the site, plus the BBQ will be running all day so come out and enjoy some local talent and lunch!

Starting in May, the Hall of Fame will be selling raffle tickets for your chance to play in the celebrity ball game during Induction weekend. Only 200 tickets are being sold at $10 each or 3 for $20. There are five prizes to be won, including two chances to play in the celebrity game, two chances to win second row seats for the Induction ceremony and an autographed baseball by Rusty Staub.

INDUCTION WEEKEND

Thursday, June 21

Team Whitt vs Team Jenkins Celebrity Softball Game will start at 7pm on Rotary Field. Come early to get a good seat and enjoy the delicious BBQ and cold beverages. The game will mix local media and celebrities together for a fun game! In 2009 Larry Walker took one deep over right field and just last year Tony Fernandez slashed a double to the outfield and scored on the next base hit, so who knows what the game will bring this year!

Friday, June 22

The “London Salutes Canadian Baseball Breakfast” will be held from 7:00 – 9:30 am in London. The morning will include an intimate

Fergie Jenkins Trophy (photo courtesy of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame)

fireside chat with 2012 Inductees Ernie Whitt, Doug Melvin, Rheal Cormier and legendary Cooperstown Inductee Fergie Jenkins, plus a delicious breakfast, a fascinating Museum display, a live auction and a 50-50 draw.

The 16th Annual Celebrity Golf classic & banquet will be held at the St. Marys Golf and Country Club with registration at 10am, tee-off at 11am and banquet at 5pm. Teams will be matched up with one of the amazing celebrities here for Induction weekend and each person will receive a gift bag, and have chances to win fantastic prizes including a vehicle. If you don’t golf, then no problem, as you can enjoy the Banquet for only $60. The tournament is 60% sold-out so don’t wait to book your foursome!

The Induction Ceremony begins at 11am for Montreal Expos legend Rusty Staub, 16yr big league pitcher from New Brunswick Rheal Cormier, current GM of the Milwaukee Brewers and Chatham, Ontario native Doug Melvin and the 2011 Team Canada National Senior Team, including Ernie Whitt. Special guests include MC Rod Black, Fergie Jenkins, Paul Beeston and Pat Gillick.
The Hall of Fame’s legendary autograph session will follow the induction ceremony. Come to the Hall throughout the day and enjoy ballgames, museum tours, auctions and BBQ’s.

Rusty Staub (photo courtesy of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame)

The Hall is expecting the following celebrities to take part in our induction festivities: 2012 inductees Rusty Staub, Rheal Cormier, Doug Melvin and Team Canada Coaches Ernie Whitt, Greg Hamilton (voted #1 Baseball person in Canada), Dave Blatz, Tim Leiper, Keith Sanford, Bernie Soulliere and Team Canada player Mike Johnson (former Montreal Expo), plus Hall of Famers Fergie Jenkins, Steve Rogers, Jim Fanning, Pat Gillick, Paul Beeston, Don McDougall, Paul Quantrill and Rod Black, Adam Stern (MLB), Billy Atkinson (MLB), Derek Aucoin (MLB), John Upham (MLB), Larry Landreth (MLB), Gord Ash (MLB), Michael Burgess, Linda Tosetti (Babe Ruth’s Granddaughter), Terry Crisp (NHL) and Miss Canada International.

NEW THIS YEAR: the Toronto Blue Jays Baseball clinic at 2pm on Rotary Field.

The Toronto Blue Jays clinic will run from 2-6pm on Rotary Field at the Hall on Fame on Induction day. YOU MUST PREREGISTER ONLINE. Included in the cost is the four hour clinic, lunch (prior to clinic only), a Jays hat and Jays t-shirt. To register CLICK HERE.

KIDS ON DECK SUMMER CAMP

Kids on Deck summer camp is a residential co-ed baseball camp for ages 9-15 and it runs from July 8-14. The week concludes with the campers attending the Jays game on July 13th after they have spent a week learning baseball from some of the best coaches in Canada.

For more information or tickets for all these events email baseball@baseballhalloffame.ca or call 519-284-1838 or visit our website atwww.baseballhalloffame.ca