Former NY Times reporter Claire Smith will be the keynote speaker at the 22nd Annual Cooperstown Symposium on Baseball and American Culture, which kicks off (pardon the football metaphor) on Wednesday, June 2 and runs til Friday, June 4.
Having attended one of these, I can tell you that it’s great fun, despite the scholarly gravitas. Wish I could go again this year, but thems the breaks.
From the Hall of Fame press release:
The event features more than 50 presentations selected from academic paper submissions across the country, with a wide variety of topics exploring the unique relationship between the national pastime and American culture.
The 2010 Symposium will begin on Wednesday at 1 p.m. with a keynote address from longtime baseball journalist Claire Smith, the first female to deliver the keynote in the Symposium’s history. Smith, who works for ESPN, will address the topic “Race and Gender: Perspectives from the Press Box.” A panel discussion on Wednesday afternoon will continue Smith’s theme, featuring Smith and four other female scholars, entitled “No Skirting the Issue Anymore.”
The Symposium will feature 20 breakout sessions on topics ranging from America’s Pastime in War times, to baseball in fiction, to baseball and labor, as well as a featured panel discussion on “Race, Sport and the Rehabilitation of Reputation.” The Symposium keynote address is open to all Museum visitors on Wednesday. Other sessions require registration for the Symposium.
“The Cooperstown Symposium has, for more than two decades, encouraged the exploration of baseball’s relationship with American culture, and we are so pleased to welcome keynote speaker Claire Smith of ESPN and more than 120 participants to the Hall of Fame for the 2010 installment of this annual event,” said Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson. “Every year, this group adds to the body of research that is so important to the understanding of baseball’s impact on our society and the celebration of our national pastime.”
The Symposium features more than 120 participants representing academic and other institutions from across the United States. Admission for the keynote address is included for all Symposium participants. Registration fee for the 22nd annual Cooperstown Symposium is $175 and includes all sessions, a daily continental breakfast, a catered picnic, refreshments, and a three-day pass to the Hall of Fame. The Symposium also features a Vintage Town Ball Game on June 3, followed by a barbecue chicken dinner. Hall of Fame members can register for the three-day event for $160. Additionally, day passes will be sold for each day of the Symposium. A special student rate for undergraduate and graduate students is available for $100 with student ID for the three-day event. Registration is limited.
Registrations will be accepted onsite during the Symposium in the Library Atrium. A full schedule of Symposium events and presentations is available on-line by visiting the Hall’s website. For more information, please contact Hall of Fame Librarian Jim Gates at (607)547-0311.
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Ron, let me echo your comments about the Symposium. It is a wonderful event. I go every year. Of course, I have no excuse not to go; I live in Cooperstown.
There are always some fascinating presentations from baseball diehards, and some great conversation, as well. Highly, highly recommended.
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