Doubleday Field

The iconic Doubleday Field, known as the “birthplace of baseball” is part of the National Register of Historic Places. Its where many baseball immortals, MLB hall of famers and legends have played for 100 years. And where they still play today in the annual Hall of Fame Classic game. The field is also host to the annual Hall of Fame Awards Presentation. Located just a few blocks from the Baseball Hall of Fame Museum the fabled, nearly 10,000-seat ball field with its deep, rich history is currently owned and operated by the village of Cooperstown. In 1908, the Mills Commission determined that Abner Doubleday originated the game of baseball. In its final report, the commission stated that “the first scheme for playing baseball, according to the best evidence obtainable to date, was devised by Abner Doubleday at Cooperstown, NY, in 1839” on Elihu Phinney's farm where Doubleday field stands today. In 1916, National League President John Tener visited Cooperstown to see the pasture in which baseball was said to have been founded. During that visit, Tener said the field ought to be preserved as a memorial to Doubleday. So construction of the stadium started in 1919.