New York State Baseball Hall of Fame Museum Opening in Gloversville

The New York State Baseball Hall of Fame Museum has announced the grand opening of its new facility in Gloversville, Fulton County, NY. Located at 45 Harrison Street, directly across the street from Parkhurst Field Little League Stadium. – a replica and tribute to the original grand stands built in 1906. Together they are hoped to be able to put Gloversville on the map for baseball fans.

Executive Director Rene LeRoux, a retired stockbroker – now sports enthusiast spearheaded the museum. “I have wanted to create a NYS Baseball Hall of Fame Museum, and believe I am in the perfect location,” claims LeRoux.

Recognizing New York baseball accomplishments began with LeRoux in 2011 with his Hall of Fame induction ceremonies – an annual packed house ceremony acknowledging the many people and faceted aspects of all who contribute to New York’s rich baseball history.

LeRoux chose the Gloversville site in Fulton County geographically for starters. Only 45 miles from the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, the location is an easily accessible destination for families and baseball fans.

Fulton County has roots in early baseball history with the manufacturing of professional baseball gloves in Gloversville, and baseball bats in nearby Dolgeville.

The 6,500 square foot museum has two large rooms, including a dedicated movie theater complete with authentic stadium seating. It will house historic baseball artifacts including signed baseballs, jerseys, bats, photos, baseball cards and baseball memorabilia. On display will be every Major League Baseball World Series program dating back to the early 1900s, and the Wall of Fame will host more than 150 famed inductees.

The museum’s goal is to recognize many people and their contributions to the game of baseball. Individuals such as players and managers, but also including the key players such as writers, announcers, historians, scouts, team organizations and minor league contributors.

Inductees from major league, minor league, collegiate baseball and high school have been enshrined. Such stars as Bernie Williams, Cleon Jones, Babe Ruth, Perry Barber – the most accomplished female umpire, and Fort Plain’s Craig Phillips, among the winningest high school coaches in New York State history are among those honored.

In the future, a $2.5 million baseball collection donated by Stanley Silver of Beverly Hills is expected to be displayed. The collection has 1,145 autographed baseballs, including one signed by the 1927 New York Yankees, also known as “Murderer’s Row,” with signatures from Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.

Just released, lifetime New York Met; a member of the New York State Baseball Hall of Fame, Ed Kranepool will be attending the grand opening. He went from James Monroe High School directly to the Mets. Kranepool played a pivotal role in the 1969 year of the World Champion “Miracle Mets.”

The grand opening is scheduled for Saturday, July 29 at 11 am, kicking off with an official ribbon cutting. Along with baseball dignitaries in attendance, there will be giveaways and tours.
The museum will be open Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and admission is free.

Photos by Carla Kolbe, Fulton County Tourism, from above:  The New York State Baseball Hall of Fame Museum’s Rene M. LeRoux movie theater with authentic baseball stadium seating; baseball jerseys on display; and some of the historic baseball memorabilia on display.