Several people have complained publicly about difficulties related to transportation to and from the Hall of Fame Induction Site from private parking lots.

We at the Hall of Fame would like to set the record straight.

Not one of these complaints has to do with the Hall of Fame; the parking lots were owned and operated by private landowners, and they contracted with a private transportation company to bus people to and from the site. We had absolutely no involvement in how these private lots and the related bus service was handled.

Because we care deeply about the experience of every one of our visitors, we are distressed that any fans who came to Cooperstown for the inductions of Cal Ripken, Jr. and Tony Gwynn were disappointed by the less-than-satisfactory service of these private lots.

Dale Petroskey

President

National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

Don’t limit bathroom use

I attended the Induction Ceremony on July 29, and I must compliment all who coordinated the weekend’s events. What a beautiful town and great place to visit.

My only complaint concerns the restrooms at the Induction Ceremony. Prior to the start of the ceremony, ALL attendees were allowed to use the portable toilets located near the gymnasium.

However, once the ceremony started, only ticket holders were allowed to use these toilets.

I was told by a volunteer that I had to use the portable toilets on the other side of the field, which I could get to by either fighting through 75,000 people or by walking all the way around the roped off section.

I saw numerous mothers and fathers with children who were turned away. Some of these people subsequently had their children use a tree on the other side of Susquehanna Avenue, or they just left the ceremony in disgust.

Next year, maybe the portable toilets can be used by all attendees. I think the days of limiting bathroom use based on anything except gender are over.

Thank you.

Michael Bantner

Fort Washington, Pa.

Fundraiser a success

During Induction Weekend, the Cooperstown Foundation for Excellence in Education (CFEE) held a Silent Auction to raise money for the Kid City Fund and the Foundation.

Generous donations of gifts and services from the following businesses and individuals made the auction possible: Bob Tricomi and the On Deck Circle; Jen Stewart and Ann Hall and the Cooperstown Baseball Bracelet and Company; Mary Leonard and Carefree Gardens; Marty Bernardo and Blue Stone Farms LLC; Karen Johansen and the Book Nook; Jim Gates and the Hall of Fame Library; Patty Grady and the Cooperstown Cookie Company; Danny’s Market; Rick Gibbons and Riverwood; Ann and Frank Capozza and Cooperstown Event Rentals; Bonnie Fayssoux and Liberty Market and Lil Airplane; Bridget Priem and Diastole; Alex Bauer, Al Keck, Marcie Schwartzman, Sabrina Loewenguth, and Ellen Tillapaugh. Thank you.

I want to also recognize the many people who donated their time and effort to gather the donated items, prepare for the auction, and staff the auction booth. These individuals are: Ed Bauer, Mary Harmon, Erika Idleson, Deb Kiser, Mikal Sky-Schrewsbery, Jan Kerr, and Ellen Tillapaugh. Thank you.

The Kid City Fund benefited from a donation of land to park cars over the Induction weekend from Robert and Karen Schlather and Larry Fritsch. Thank you. Thanks also to the parking lot helpers, Marcie and Bob Birch, Anthony and Jon Birch, Henry and Benny Bauer, Mike Bauer, and Jan Kerr.

Through the efforts and donations of all these wonderful people, almost $3,000 was added to the Kid City Fund. Thank you one and all.

Stephanie Bauer

Chairperson

Cooperstown Foundation for Excellence in Education

No happy ending

I would like to thank the people of Cooperstown for allowing my family to enjoy the Induction Ceremonies July 29. We have a cabin in Garrettsville, which allowed for easy access to the "Purple" parking lot and a quick bus ride to the Clark Center.

We thoroughly enjoyed the "Woodstock" like atmosphere (without the music) and especially meeting new folks from across the nation. After Cal and Tony were inducted, the CHAOS began!

There wasn’t a plan to bus 75K-plus humans to their destinations. Seriously, a few well placed signs and announcements via the PA system would have alleviated the problem.

The tired, hot people were getting very restless and annoyed, but the NY State Police maintained order, which shouldn’t be necessary for a family-oriented affair.

Gary Showalter

Smyrna, Del.