Now that the biggest football game of the year is over, what’s a diehard sports fan to do? For some people, the answer is to focus on other sports. In late winter, you’re likely to hear baseball fans say things like, “Pitchers report for spring training in eight days!” That’s certainly a good tactic if you’re a fan of multiple sports. Another good thing to do if you’re a fan of baseball, football, basketball, or all of the above? Plan a journey to a sports Hall of Fame. If you like football, you’ll want to visit the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Baseball fanatics should journey to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Basketball enthusiasts would benefit from a trip to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Pick a good time of year
One of the best times to visit the Pro Football Hall of Fame is during the August induction ceremony for the next class. This Class of 2018 includes big names like Randy Moss, Brian Urlacher, and Ray Lewis. But if you want to wear your team’s jersey and be there to cheer on your favorite player ever as he becomes a part of history, be prepared to pay a hefty price for it. Football has its problems, but it remains the most popular sport in America right now, and there are going to be plenty of other fans trying to get ahead of you in the virtual ticket line.
If you plan on visiting this particular hall several times a year, it’s worth it to consider a membership. Memberships grant you (and sometimes members of your family) free admission to the place for a whole year. Location matters, of course. If you live two hours away from Cooperstown, you’re going to get more bang for your buck than someone from Seattle.
Take care of the little things
It’s important to realize that none of the pro Halls of Fame are located near bustling metropolitan areas. Springfield is a good 90-minute drive from Boston, and Cooperstown is about the same distance from Albany, the state capital of New York. If you’re going to Canton, you’ll probably need to fly into Cleveland, which is 60 miles away. So don’t just assume you can land at the airport and figure something out. A few weeks before your flight, look into arranging airport transportation to/from Cooperstown or Springfield or Canton.
If you want to look like a professional athlete while you’re hanging out with professional athletes (or at least their bronze busts), remember to be realistic. Look into supplements like Superpump Max if you think they’ll truly help you, but remember that professional athletes don’t look the way they do because of over-the-counter supplements. They get those bodies because, for ten or twenty years, working out is literally their job. Most athletes can’t maintain that level of fitness once they retire. Picking up the kids from school every day just doesn’t burn as many calories.
