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2-07-2007 By ERIC AHLQVIST Editor Connolly and a group of friends have launched the website savethefamegame. com, a site which lists 17 reasons why the Game should be saved, lists the phone numbers of Major League Baseball executives and the Hall of Fame, and has a link for fans to tell their own stories about their Hall of Fame Game experiences. Hall of Fame officials announced last week that Major League Baseball has decided to discontinue the annual game after this year's June 16 contest, ending a nearly 70-year tradition in Cooperstown. "The fan's voice was not heard before this decision was made," Connolly said in an e-mail to the Crier. " Major League Baseball made a decision that not only affects fans, but will also directly affect many people that rely on the annual Hall of Fame Game for a variety of important reasons." One of the reasons to save the game listed on the site is "The Kids." According to CCS high school superintendent Mary Jo McPhail, high school students could lose an average of $9,000 to $11,000 earned by running the concession stands at the game. "First, MLB ended the AL vs. NL format," Connolly wrote. "Then it separated the game from Induction Weekend before finally killing it last week. The Hall of Fame Game has survived a world war, player strikes, steroids and more for almost 70 years in order to help maintain what is right and true about our national game." The site encourages people to send an email to Major League Baseball president and COO Bob Dupuy, Major League Baseball Players Association chief Don Fehr, and Hall of Fame president Dale Petroskey to let them know that they want the Hall of Fame Game to continue beyond this year. "Obviously, this shows how passionate fans are about the Game," said Hall of Fame spokesman Brad Horn, who stressed that the decision to end the contest was solely Major League Baseball's. MLB officials said last week that scheduling the game has become increasingly difficult over time with the advent of more teams and inter-league play. "Don't allow Major League Baseball and others to kill one of the few remaining pure events in all of professional sports," Connolly wrote. "The Hall of Fame Game doesn't need TV ratings, ad revenue or 24-7 news-cycle hype to survive. It only needs 10,000 baseball fans - young and old - and two Major League teams for one day a year. That's all it takes to greatly impact a deserving community, and remind spectators and participants alike that baseball is a glorious game, and an undeniable part of American culture and identity." VISIT THE SITE: www.savethefamegame.com |
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