Busier than expected, this Induction Weekend was saturated with intense heat and friendly Minnesota residents.

Jeff Idelson, National Baseball Hall of Fame spokesman, said the weekend was a complete success on all fronts.

"There were only the most glowing comments about how the community embraced everyone with open arms," he said.

Idelson said that thirty-three people were treated for heat exhaustion on Sunday by local volunteer EMT's. Three of those victims were transported to Bassett Hospital, but all are fine now, said Idelson. On Monday, fifteen were treated. All have since recovered.

"Bob Satriano heads up the firty-five to fifty-five volunteer EMT's who do this voluntarily every year as a community service," said Idelson. "They do a fantastic job. We couldn't get through the weekend without them. We're indebted to them."

Polly Renckens, executive director of the Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce, agreed that the weather created a couple of difficulties.

"I understand that there were some problems at the Induction because of the heat. A little boy passed out. There was some dissatisfaction because it was so hot. A few people said the ceremony should have been held in the morning, but you don't know. It could have been sixty degrees or rainy. By the third inning of the game on Monday people were coming out of the park in droves. Still, despite the heat, people stayed upbeat and friendly and everyone was glowing about Cooperstown. The people from Minnesota were just great."

And, Renckens said, the streets were kept pretty clean.

"The crowds on Saturday were large, which was a pleasant surprise. People graciously supported Rotary, Friends of the Parks and the Chamber. We raffled off a bat signed by Kirby Puckett, and an induction bat given to us by the Hall of Fame," she said.

The grand prize, for which tickets are available until Labor Day, is a weekend getaway package for a two-night stay in Cooperstown. Gail Smith, owner of The Overlook, a Bed and Breakfast, donated a room. Cooperstown Limo donated a ride, the Otesaga contributed a dinner, and the museums granted free admission.

"I give a lot of credit to the people who worked the information booth at Pioneer Park," said Renckens. "They did a great job."

Hall spokesman Jeff Arnett said weekend attendance at both Sunday's Induction and at the museum over the weekend were better than expected.

Estimated attendance at the induction ceremony was 23,000, and Arnett said close to 14,000 visited the Hall on Saturday and Sunday combined.

"Friday and Monday were very busy days here as well," Arnett said. "Attendance was strong, Monday's Hall of Fame Game was sold out, and we encountered no logistical problems the entire weekend. Every year we try to improve, but we found no cause for concern and many causes to be enthusiastic."

Arnett added that with the voting reforms to the Veterans' Committee which were announced Monday (see story on Page 8) the Veterans won't have another vote until 2003, meaning only those elected by the Baseball Writers Association of America will be inducted next summer.

"We could see fewer inductees in the coming years," he said. "But we believe in keeping the standards high and making the selection process very selective."

Jim Florczak, owner of Where it All Began on Main Street, said that there was overwhelming support for the four players who signed autographs at his store during the weekend: Graig Nettles, Goose Gossage, Bob Friend and Ed Kranepool. Two surprise visits highlighted the weekend, said Florczak.

"Dave Winfield came in and bought a personalized bat for his son," Florczak said. "His kids went downstairs here to see the world's biggest engraved bat."

The bat, Titan, weighs in at 1,460 pounds.

"The next big surprise," he said, "was a visit from Reggie Jackson. He was here for an hour and was nothing but hospitable, accommodating and professional. A pleasure to be with."

Heather Jarvis worked at eclectic gift shop Riverwood all weekend. She said business on Sunday was good but Saturday and Monday were not so impressive.

"People kept walking in our flowers," she said. "And smoke was pouring into the store all day from a grill set up right outside."

Jim Renckens, a teacher in the Milford district, works at The Cooperstown Bat Company. He was impressed with the people from Minnesota. He said business was good and the weekend was fun.

"I've never seen so many adults wearing kids' clothes and loving it," he laughed.