Carol Olsen, Realtor- Oneonta NY Real Estate

Now that the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY has selected its new president, Jeff Idelson one of his big challenges is to find a substitute for the Hall of Fame Game.

The final Hall of Fame game wil be played June 16, when the Chicago Cubs play the San Diego Padres at Doubleday Field. Major League Baseball said in January the game's lone in-season exhibition will no longer be played after this season, ending a 68- year tradition.

The Hall is committed to bringing another event of this magnitude to Cooperstown to replace the Hall of Fame Game. The Hall has been working with state senator James Seward on a replacement event.

The Hall has 31,000 members, it has to come up with something that will have a huge impact. The fact that they are ending this 68 year tradition is very sad. Wouldn't you think Major League Baseball would want to keep the tradition going?

Thursday April 17th

On the turf field at SUNY Oneonta!

Parade at 6:30 pm from Tobey Hall to the field.

Pre- Game show will begin at 7pm, and kickoff will be at 8pm.

The game will consist of two 15 minute halves. with 500 players a side (1000 players total- 500 red, 500 white)

They are anticipating 1,000 players in attendance, which will break the school record. ( The first World's Largest Soccere Game at SUNY Oneonta took place 20 years ago, with 752 players in attendance) This year, they are commemorating their President, Dr. Donovan's last year in office and boosting school spirit. Players must be 18 years old. Any Oneonta resident or Alumni are encouraged to come play or watch the game. ( All participants will recieve a free t-shirt and can register at the field at 7pm.

There will be free beverages and snacks, and a 50/50 drawing and raffles. Profits will be donated to the Alan B. Donovan scholarship fund. There will also be other tables with giveaways and selling things.

For more information visit: www.oneonta.edu/wsig or contact wlsgcoord@oneonta.edu.

Come out and support your local college and community

The National Bank of Delaware County and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County will provide free radon kits. They will be given out during the month of March at each of the NBDC's six branches.

Free kits are available to all Delaware County business owners and homeowners, as well as to bank customers.

For fact sheets, visit www.cce.cornell.edu/delaware and follow the Human Ecology links to Radon and Housing.

National Bank of Delaware County is a sponsor of the Radon Educational Outreach and Test Kit Distribution Contract funded by the state Department of Health.

The Delaware Opportunities Big Buddy Program is seeking volunteers in Delaware and Otsego Counties to spend four to eight hours a month mentoring boys and girls ages 5 to 16.

Big Buddies are needed in all areas, but especially in Hancock, Deposit, Morris, Richfield Springs, Oneonta, and Worcester. The United Way of Delaward and Otsego Counties, Otsego County DSS, Delaware County Youth Bureau, O'Connor Foundation, WGY Wish List, Stewart's and other donors support the Big Buddies program.

To learn more about the program or to volunteer, contact the Delaware Opportunities Big Buddy Program at 746-1746 or bigbuddy@delawareopportunities.org.

Info from the Daily Star 3-08-08

Tickets for the final National Baseball Hall of Fame Game will go on sale Saturday, 3-08-2008.

The Chicago Cubs will play National League rival San Diego at 2 p.m. June 16 at Doubleday Field in the last Hall of Fame Game which started in 1940.

Approximately 2,500 tickets will be available for purchase from 10 a.m.-5p.m. Saturday during the one-day walk-up sale at the Baseball Hall. Those who own valid Hall of Fame memberships have the option of purchasing tickets by phone (888-425-5633) starting at the same time Saturday.

Info from the daily star, 3-5-08