Cooperstown Dreams Park
mudwrx
Posts: 367
Has anyone ever visited this place? It is obviously in Cooperstown, NY - the home of the baseball hall of fame.
My nephew is currently playing in a tournament up there this week and I decided to drive up to watch them yesterday (a 4 & 1/2 hour drive one way, but well worth it).
This tourney is incredibly well organized and the facility is beyond belief. This week alone has 102 teams competing. They do this every week of the summer. They have over 20 fields, and all the kids stay together in the baseball village. They have over 60 barracks where the teams sleep and have their own facilities to eat, practice, etc.
Only players and coaches are allowed in, they have security check points everywhere. Kids cannot leave the facility without getting signed out with a coach or parent. Very well done.
In addition to playing the games they also organize a trip to the Hall of Fame for the kids one day.
Here is a link. Scroll down and look at the pictures of this place:
http://www.cooperstowndreamspark.com/cdpopening.asp
I watched my nephews 2 games yesterday and another couple more while we were waiting. This is not your typical little league baseball. This is extremely good hitting, fielding and pitching. It is very enjoyable to watch these kids play so well. Also, they preach good sportsmanship and it shows. All the teams play hard and compete, but are also well mannered and respectful.
They have terrific rules in place which all teams must follow, such as:
- all uniforms must be worn properly, meaning socks up and at the correct height, color coordinated, etc.
- All baseball caps must be worn in the tradition style, meaning no flat bills you see some kids wearing. No thuggery or the like here.
- Kids cannot wear the caps backwards or it is a suspension.
- The facility is amazingly clean and maintained and there is a general keep off the grass rule.
As I walked around and watched literally hundreds, if not thousands, of kids I noticed every single one of them followed these rules to the dot. It is just a real pleasure to see such an organized and well put together event. I felt like I was at the Olympics or something (although with that being said I think the Olympics could learn a thing or two from this place).
Another thing I noticed is all the kids were having a lot of fun. Even after a team lost I saw the kids laughing and having a good time. They all have their team trading pins and it is a huge deal for all of them to trade with each other.
Today starts the single game elimination and tonight is the championship game. They will also have fireworks and a closing ceremony. I wish I could have stayed there today (stupid work).
My nephews team is not a "tourney" team, as they have not all played together until this week. They did not expect to do very well but actually went 4-2 in the seeding games. They are currently ranked 44 out of 102, they are thrilled with this.
All and all it was an amazing day and if anyone has a chance to go up there for one of these tourneys the most definitely should do so.
(By the way, my nephew went 7-8 at the plate and had several great fielding plays yesterday. Proud uncle had to include this.)
My nephew is currently playing in a tournament up there this week and I decided to drive up to watch them yesterday (a 4 & 1/2 hour drive one way, but well worth it).
This tourney is incredibly well organized and the facility is beyond belief. This week alone has 102 teams competing. They do this every week of the summer. They have over 20 fields, and all the kids stay together in the baseball village. They have over 60 barracks where the teams sleep and have their own facilities to eat, practice, etc.
Only players and coaches are allowed in, they have security check points everywhere. Kids cannot leave the facility without getting signed out with a coach or parent. Very well done.
In addition to playing the games they also organize a trip to the Hall of Fame for the kids one day.
Here is a link. Scroll down and look at the pictures of this place:
http://www.cooperstowndreamspark.com/cdpopening.asp
I watched my nephews 2 games yesterday and another couple more while we were waiting. This is not your typical little league baseball. This is extremely good hitting, fielding and pitching. It is very enjoyable to watch these kids play so well. Also, they preach good sportsmanship and it shows. All the teams play hard and compete, but are also well mannered and respectful.
They have terrific rules in place which all teams must follow, such as:
- all uniforms must be worn properly, meaning socks up and at the correct height, color coordinated, etc.
- All baseball caps must be worn in the tradition style, meaning no flat bills you see some kids wearing. No thuggery or the like here.
- Kids cannot wear the caps backwards or it is a suspension.
- The facility is amazingly clean and maintained and there is a general keep off the grass rule.
As I walked around and watched literally hundreds, if not thousands, of kids I noticed every single one of them followed these rules to the dot. It is just a real pleasure to see such an organized and well put together event. I felt like I was at the Olympics or something (although with that being said I think the Olympics could learn a thing or two from this place).
Another thing I noticed is all the kids were having a lot of fun. Even after a team lost I saw the kids laughing and having a good time. They all have their team trading pins and it is a huge deal for all of them to trade with each other.
Today starts the single game elimination and tonight is the championship game. They will also have fireworks and a closing ceremony. I wish I could have stayed there today (stupid work).
My nephews team is not a "tourney" team, as they have not all played together until this week. They did not expect to do very well but actually went 4-2 in the seeding games. They are currently ranked 44 out of 102, they are thrilled with this.
All and all it was an amazing day and if anyone has a chance to go up there for one of these tourneys the most definitely should do so.
(By the way, my nephew went 7-8 at the plate and had several great fielding plays yesterday. Proud uncle had to include this.)