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Comment by John (20 current MLB/11 old MLB) on February 14, 2014 at 5:23am

Thanks for the tips Bob and Kathy - it looks like we should be fine as long as we stake out our spot early with some chairs and blankets.

The parade sounds like a good time - I did not know about that and I agree, it will be really cool for my boys to see the players I grew up with.

Looks like everything (not surprisingly) is booked near town so we will have a bit of a drive but it should be fine.

Comment by Kathy on January 23, 2014 at 7:51am

My brother, 3 kiddos, and myself went a couple of years ago. I think it was the Hampton Inn on the interstate where we stayed. Next time we go we will stay in town, just looked like fun. We walked from downtown to the field for the ceremony and staked out a place, then played some catch and what not. The town was full but not as full as other years, because it depends on who is being inducted. The night before was a parade with all of the ballplayers riding in open cars. It was truly fun seeing some of our favorite players and having the kids see in person who we are talking about. Just don't rush through the town or the museum, it is just too much fun. Enjoy

Comment by Bob D (MLB 30/48 total 442) on January 22, 2014 at 9:44am

I am relatively local. 1 hour 5 minutes away so I have never stayed over. At the big ceromonies the random people I talked to stayed in Binghamton, Albany or Utica. From the direction you are coming from it would appear Utica (about 30 miles away) would be the best bet.
A far as induction day, people get there early to put chairs down, but the hill slopes and there is a big viseo board. You can hear from anyway and see OK from most spots as long as you don't set up behind things blocking the stage like the ESPN or MLB tent which is usually off to the far side. I don't get there early but most recent years I can find a friend who gets there pretty early to put chairs down. Even in the years before that and when I stayed further back, it wwas fine and I often don't go to the ceremony until 1/2 to 1 hours before hand. I walk around town, have lunch etc. The mueseum is usually pretty crowded that weekend except obviously around the ceremony. I generally only pop in to the HOF store, plaque area and HOF book store so I really don't know how crowded the rst of it is other than judging from the people going in, it is probably crowded.