Cooperstown dreams park est. 1996

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July 8, 2022

Randy Smith: Thoughts On Cooperstown Dreams Park

The Chattanoogan
You may be like me…you yearn for simpler times but still celebrate the conveniences of our current place in time. I often wish I could experience a summertime where cool breezes blow through open windows and no central air is needed. Even better would be to add a vista of lush green mountains and flowers blooming in every color of the rainbow. How about a sun porch that overlooks a gently flowing creek? Let’s step up this dreamscape a bit and add kids playing outdoors from sun up to sundown…no devices, no earbuds, no video games. Parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles laughing, happy and far removed from the stress of the rat race. I miss the days when as a boy I played all day and night while the grownups gossiped and laughed. I never dreamed I would find this experience again in our crazy cyber connected world, but today…here I am…in the very world I just described. I am in Cooperstown, NY. I am here because I am in love with baseball. There is a difference between loving something and being in love. The difference is the romance. If you are in love with baseball, you understand there is more to the game than just the game. You know it is a game of nuance and tradition. It is a connection between fathers and sons, for sure, but does not stop there. During the years, when fathers and sons aren’t able to have a civil conversation about many things, they remain connected by their love of baseball. They can still talk baseball. If you are in love with baseball, you appreciate knicker pants and simple uniforms. You tear up every time you hear the echoing words of Lou Gehrig declaring that he is the luckiest man in the world. Being in love with baseball means that America’s history is played out in baseball history. Jackie Robinson’s achievements become yours. Hank Aaron’s 715 is your moment. But, so are their struggles. Cooperstown is a place to for those of us in love with baseball and yearn for all the aforementioned things from a simpler place and time. This week I am in Cooperstown and I literally find myself watching baseball at the Cooperstown DREAMS PARK! It is all that. 64 teams are gathered to compete in this game of baseball. They have traveled from every corner of this great land, points in between, and Canada! The teams stay on campus at the park in barracks. The families that have traveled with them are sprinkled in a twenty mile circumference around the park in Airbnbs, hotels, and campgrounds. I have covered the World Series, both college and the pros, but I have never felt closer to the game in its purest form, as I do here. The kids wear red, white, and blue old school uniforms. Knicker style pants are required. Opening ceremonies honored grandparents with VIP seating and tee shirts. The ceremony emphasized the connection between baseball and the greatness of the USA. The music, the teams marching in Olympic style, and honoring alumni players in attendance made for a grand opening. Former Dreams Park players who sacrificed their lives in service of our country were remembered with the playing of taps. There was not a dry eye in the house. The rules are strict…no chirping from the teams and no chirping from the fans. Fans watch the game from a fans’ dugout, which on one end looks like a cage. Based on years of experience, that cage idea is not such a bad idea. It has been an excellent viewing experience. In our entourage, we have London Elrod. London’s team won it all at Dreams Park in 2010. London is now in medical school and his dad, Brian, has returned to coach his baby brother, Crew. Generations of fathers and sons playing baseball…that is America. Bracket play will start tomorrow and so far our Exposure Prime team has produced more home runs than I can count and one no hitter performance by a pitcher. When the tourney ends later this week, I may recap with stats and facts. Today’s column is dedicated to the things that matter most about this experience…the love of the game. I have dreamed of this for a long time and I can’t believe I am here. “Is this Heaven…no…it is Cooperstown.” Randy Smith: Thoughts On Cooperstown Dreams Park

August 19, 2023

HALL OF FAME MOMENTS: Key West CDP Legacy 12U make lasting memories while reaching semis at Coopertown Dreams Park

From the KEY WEST CITIZEN AND FREE PRESS https://www.keysnews.com/hall-of-fame-moments-key-west-cdp-legacy-12u-make-lasting-m...
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August 18, 2023

Bryce Harper drops intriguing Cooperstown suggestion to help grow baseball after Phillies win

Taken from MSN.com - ClutchPoints  https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/bryce-harper-drops-intriguing-cooperstown-suggestion-to-...
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August 9, 2023

Unforgettable Memories Made for Young Baseball Fanatics at Cooperstown Dreams Park

For 11-year-old Oliver Sterud, his recent trip to Cooperstown, N.Y. with the Southwest Minnesota Blaze youth baseball team, was,...
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July 19, 2023

Peyton Manning Sighting at Cooperstown Dreams Park!

Legendary football player Peyton Manning was unexpectedly sighted in the tranquil setting of Upstate New York. Why, you ask?   C...
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July 22, 2023

Four Westside LL Stars Selected for STB Elite Baseball Squad at Cooperstown HOF Tournament

Nathan Villalovos, Robert Reynoso III, Julian Romero, and Juancarlos Lua are now part of the STB Elite Baseball Club, set to com...
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July 25, 2023

Beaver Valley Continue Their Winning Streak in Cooperstown Baseball Tournament

In Cooperstown, N.Y., Beaver Valley 12U Red showcased exemplary skills at the Cooperstown Dreams Park Experience. A standout mom...
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July 25, 2023

Santa Maria STB Elite 12U Undefeated at Cooperstown Dreams Park Baseball Tournament

The STB Elite 12U team is making a mark in Cooperstown, New York's Dream Park tournament. Hailing from Santa Maria, they clinche...
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July 26, 2023

Imperial Valley's ZT Prospects Hit it Out in Cooperstown, New York

The ZT Prospects-Imperial Valley U-12 baseball team showcased their talent at the American Youth Baseball Hall of Fame Invitatio...
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July 26, 2023

Reflecting Greatness: Alfson Imparts Pitching Expertise to Sterud as Cooperstown Journey Nears

In 1997, Commissioner Bud Selig retired No. 42 in Major League Baseball, honoring Jackie Robinson's groundbreaking debut on Apri...
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July 23, 2023

#DroppinBombs

What do Devin Steele and J. Robert Oppenheimer have in common? - They both be Droppin’ BOMBS! Watch The Motor City Hit Dogs 12u-...
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July 27, 2023

Saline Hornets Fight Their Way to Top Eight in Cooperstown Dreams Park Clash

At the esteemed Cooperstown Dreams Park Tournament, the Saline Hornets achieved a remarkable feat. Positioned close to the Natio...
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August 2, 2023

12U Baseball Squad Embarks on Memorable Journey to Cooperstown Dreams Park

In 2020, amid the pandemic's disruption of sports, a 12U baseball team from Whitefish began their journey together. Their camara...
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August 2, 2023

Cooperstown: Somers 12U Red Storm Stands Strong Against Top Teams

Each year, the 12U Somers Red Storm Travel Baseball team embarks on a memorable trip to Cooperstown Dreams Park, near the Baseba...
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August 4, 2023

Gilroy’s Triple Crown Team Competes in Cooperstown Tournament

When 11 boys from Gilroy's 12U Triple Crown Baseball team journeyed to Cooperstown, New York for a week-long tournament from Jul...
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August 6, 2023

Generals 12U Team Triumphs at Cooperstown Dreams Park Tournament

YOUTH BASEBALL COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. The 12U Generals baseball team had an impressive run on Saturday, sweeping both games. They fir...
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March 17, 2023

WIBX 950 - Amazing Cooperstown Connection For Pittsburgh Pirates’ Crowe

Wil Crowe, along with Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, Mookie Betts and Nick Castellanos participated in tournaments exclusively at Coo...
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July 8, 2022

Randy Smith: Thoughts On Cooperstown Dreams Park

The ChattanooganYou may be like me…you yearn for simpler times but still celebrate the conveniences of our current place in time...
Read More
July 11, 2022

The Edwardsville Tigers 12U team is heading to Cooperstown Dreams Park

The Edwardsville IntelligencerThe Edwardsville Tigers 12U team is heading to Cooperstown. The Tigers will play in a tournament i...
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July 11, 2022

Facebook - Greenwich Thunder Red team headed to Cooperstown Dreams Park this week for a prestigious tournament

OGRCC - As Seen in the Greenwich Time - First Selectman Fred Camillo stopped by practice last week for the OGRCC’s Thunder Red y...
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July 20, 2022

A lesson in life - Play ball

Marietta Daily Journal - READER CONTRIBUTION: A lesson in life - Play ball Mary Waite The writer, Mary Waite, is a resident of K...
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News

August 19, 2023
HALL OF FAME MOMENTS: Key West CDP Legacy 12U make lasting memories while reaching semis at Coopertown Dreams Park
August 18, 2023
Bryce Harper drops intriguing Cooperstown suggestion to help grow baseball after Phillies win
August 9, 2023
Unforgettable Memories Made for Young Baseball Fanatics at Cooperstown Dreams Park
July 19, 2023
Peyton Manning Sighting at Cooperstown Dreams Park!
July 22, 2023
Four Westside LL Stars Selected for STB Elite Baseball Squad at Cooperstown HOF Tournament
July 25, 2023
Beaver Valley Continue Their Winning Streak in Cooperstown Baseball Tournament
July 25, 2023
Santa Maria STB Elite 12U Undefeated at Cooperstown Dreams Park Baseball Tournament
July 26, 2023
Imperial Valley's ZT Prospects Hit it Out in Cooperstown, New York
July 26, 2023
Reflecting Greatness: Alfson Imparts Pitching Expertise to Sterud as Cooperstown Journey Nears
July 23, 2023
#DroppinBombs
July 27, 2023
Saline Hornets Fight Their Way to Top Eight in Cooperstown Dreams Park Clash
August 2, 2023
12U Baseball Squad Embarks on Memorable Journey to Cooperstown Dreams Park
August 2, 2023
Cooperstown: Somers 12U Red Storm Stands Strong Against Top Teams
August 4, 2023
Gilroy’s Triple Crown Team Competes in Cooperstown Tournament
August 6, 2023
Generals 12U Team Triumphs at Cooperstown Dreams Park Tournament
March 17, 2023
WIBX 950 - Amazing Cooperstown Connection For Pittsburgh Pirates’ Crowe
July 8, 2022
Randy Smith: Thoughts On Cooperstown Dreams Park
July 11, 2022
The Edwardsville Tigers 12U team is heading to Cooperstown Dreams Park
July 11, 2022
Facebook - Greenwich Thunder Red team headed to Cooperstown Dreams Park this week for a prestigious tournament
July 20, 2022
A lesson in life - Play ball