Product Reviews
Written by Chris
Published on February 22, 2024
Long weekends filled with baseball tournaments and long travel days can take their toll on the entire family. However, my first visit to Cooperstown All-Star Village was one of the most incredible experiences I’ve ever had. Watching my son play baseball for a week, exploring the Hall of Fame together for the first time, and feeling the goosebumps during the Hall of Fame theater video made it unforgettable.
This incredible youth baseball experience brings families together and creates lifelong memories. Even more exciting is that we get to relive it next summer. My son, who played with a 12U team as an 11-year-old, is returning with his regular AAU team to experience it all over again.
To help you and your players prepare, I’ve compiled a list of top tips to make your Cooperstown All-Star Village trip a success.
The tournament runs from just after Memorial Day through the end of August, with each session lasting one week. Given the high demand, registration for the tournament opens over a year in advance.
After registering, All Star Village will provide three different week options for your trip, which you can rank based on your preference and schedule. For families with children in Little League, consider requesting dates in late August to minimize scheduling conflicts with summer ball. If you book early enough, you can pick the exact week you'd like.
The cost of participating in Cooperstown ASV can add up, but it’s important to know what’s included and where extra expenses might come in. For a team of 12 players, the base cost is around $1,875 per player. This covers the essentials like participation in the tournament, umpire fees, trading pins, the opening ceremony banner, and game-day necessities like snacks, drinks, and ice.
However, if you want to go all out and include extras like team swag bags, a professional photo package, team dinners, and offsite activities, you should budget up to $2,750 per player. While these extras can enhance the experience, they’re optional, and your budget can be adjusted based on what your team prioritizes.
These numbers are strictly for the players. You will need to factor in hotels, food, and travel to get a holistic view of the cost.
Now that everything is paid for, let's get into move-in day. Our experience was a bit different since we arrived late after flying into Boston from an Ireland vacation. However, feedback from other parents on our team indicated that while move-in day was enjoyable, it was also long and tiring. They spent hours standing around, which was pretty brutal, so next year, we’re planning to arrive later to avoid the wait.
If you want to start the day off right, aim to arrive at All-Star Village by 8:30 a.m. for good parking. While there is an overflow lot across the street, it involves navigating more hills—something to avoid when carrying gear. From 9 a.m. to noon, pin trading and checking out the stores are the main activities. It’s worth arriving by 9 a.m. to maximize pin trading, as most of the action happens in the morning, but don’t worry if you’re a bit late—there are plenty of opportunities throughout the week.
Check-in begins around noon when your team heads to the bunkhouse to get set up. It’s a good idea to leave your bunkhouse and baseball gear in the car when you first arrive; you’ll only need essentials like your phone, wallet, keys, and pins for the morning. As 11:30 a.m. approaches, start grabbing everything from your car so you’re ready when the bunkhouses open.
The boys will all stay together in one large bunkroom, with enough beds to sleep all 12 players and the 2 coaches. Each bunkhouse accommodates 8 teams in total, creating a communal atmosphere. The coaches will have full-sized beds, while the players sleep on regular twin beds (not XL).
When it comes to bedding, I recommend bringing either a sleeping bag or a simple fitted sheet with a blanket and pillow. Personally, we packed a padded mattress protector for extra comfort. We didn't buy it but ASV offers a team bedding package where they provide, Cooperstown sheets, blankets, pillows, and pillowcases for the entire team. It would be great if you could keep these items to bring home but you have to return them. This package makes life a lot easier for those teams traveling in from far away. Packing or purchasing sheets, pillows, or a sleeping bag when you get to NY is not ideal.
Parents will be allowed in the bunkhouses on the first afternoon to help the boys get settled and set up their space.
We also provided the players with mesh shower caddies, custom slides for the showers, sunscreen, first aid supplies, and hooks for each bunk to keep things organized.
Also, the bunkhouses do not have locks because it is against the New York State Fire Code. CASV does provide locking storage bins outside each bunkhouse, but someone needs to bring a padlock.
Rolling Suitcase
Toiletry Bag: Helps with carrying items to communal showers.
Clothing: Pack 3-7 outfits, pajamas, and remember they’ll be in uniform most of the time.
Hooks/Hangers: Useful for hanging uniforms.
Activities: Over-the-door basketball hoop, Wiffle Ball set, and Uno are great for downtime.
Laundry Bag: For dirty clothes.
Bedding: Twin sheets for boys, full-size for coaches, plus a pillow and blanket/sleeping back
Storage: Limited space in bunkhouses; mark belongings with a sharpie.
Power Strip: Bring one, plus chargers for electronics.
Turf Shoes: If your son has turf shoes, bring those in addition to your cleats. Our son wore his most of the time but it's good to have a back up in case of rain.
The Opening Ceremony starts around 5 p.m. If you’re aiming for decent seats, try to get there at least an hour early. However, if you don't care about being up close, arriving 20 minutes before will still get you a good spot, especially in the grassy areas. Teams are announced in order based on their Tourney Machine number, so if your team has a higher number, you may have more flexibility to move closer for photos as the earlier teams clear out.
After the ceremony, the skills competition begins, lasting 2-3 hours. Be sure to find a comfortable spot to sit, and consider packing snacks or a light dinner. Since dinner wasn’t provided that night, we arranged for pizza to be delivered to the bunkhouse after the competition.
Deciding when to check out of your hotel or Airbnb can be tricky, especially with the unpredictability of the tournament schedule. Here are some tips to help you plan:
Checking Out on the Last Day:
We were eliminated early in the tournament on the first day of bracket play. While most of our team stayed through the evening to enjoy the fireworks, many of us headed home the next morning. Unfortunately, our hotel required a minimum stay, so we ended up paying for the last day even though we weren't there. I heard some people were able to negotiate a refund, but that wasn’t the case at our hotel. After a week away, we were ready to get home, but before leaving, my son and I made one last visit to Cooperstown to browse the stores and grab lunch before our drive back to Boston.
Checking Out the Day After:
Opting to stay an extra night can make your last day more relaxed. You won’t have to worry about packing up in the morning or rushing to the fields. If your team gets eliminated early in bracket play, you might find yourself with a lot of free time and limited activities in the Oneonta area. Enjoying some exploring or having other plans can make staying an extra night worthwhile, but be prepared for some downtime. If you choose this option, you will also be able to watch the championship game.
Jerseys and Jackets: Each player receives a white home jersey, a navy blue away jersey, a navy blue warm-up jacket, and two pairs of navy blue socks. Stirrup socks are also an option. The uniforms just went through an upgrade the past season and they look really sharp. You also receive a standard hat but our team upgraded to one of the custom hats they offered. We felt like the upgraded option would get worn more when we get back from the trip. They were more stylish, vented and lighter compared to the standard issued hats. However, the entire team has to wear the same hat so it's not like one kid could do the upgrade. It's all or nothing.
Pants: Players need to bring their own pants. We recommend bringing two pairs of white pants because bleach is used in the laundry process. Any style of pants is acceptable, whether short knickers or long-style, and the color of the piping is not a concern.
Jersey Numbers: Jersey numbers are assigned based on size. For instance, numbers 1-10 correspond to youth XL, 11-22 to adult small, etc. Coaches will distribute uniforms, including numbers, upon check-in.
If there’s one thing I didn’t expect at Cooperstown, it was how intense pin trading would be. Imagine a bunch of mini Pablo Escobars running around, discreetly opening their pin bags like they were making secret drug deals. My son dove right into it, and before I knew it, he was all about the trade game.
Pin Trading Frenzy
Pin trading kicks off early on day one, and it’s a scene you don’t want to miss. The kids are buzzing with energy, eager to swap and score the coolest pins before they even step into the bunkhouse. The first few hours are prime time. We unfortunately missed this part but everyone we spoke to said to get there by 9 a.m.
Don’t bring all your pins at once. Break them into smaller batches in ziplock bags. This way, your player can keep most of their collection safe while still having enough on hand to trade. We saw kids with towels sagging under the weight of all their pins, which looked like more hassle. My son wanted the carrying case which kept things way more organized.
Trading Strategy
The goal? Offload your own pins and score a variety of others, because let’s be honest—no one wants to be stuck with their own pins by the end of the week. My son got so into it that we even went back to Cooperstown to trade with the stores. He wanted those rare pins no one else had, and it became a great way for him to interact with new people.
A Family Affair
Pin trading wasn’t just for the players. Younger siblings got in on the action too, making it a fun family activity. When we go back again next year, I am going to have a few super rare pins made for my other children so they can partake.
This became one of the highlights of our Cooperstown trip. It’s more than just swapping metal—it’s about the thrill of the trade, the joy of finding that elusive pin, and the connections made along the way.
Our team was a mix of local kids from different backgrounds—some from travel teams whose programs weren’t heading to Cooperstown, others from local rec leagues. My son, one of the two 11-year-olds lucky enough to be asked, was just thrilled to be going.
The first three days of the tournament consisted of two games each day, and how you finish in these games determines your seeding for the playoffs. Our team, with only three practices under our belt, faced off against seasoned travel teams that had been playing together for years. We were light on pitching, and it showed. Out of the first six games, we managed to win just one. Facing powerhouse teams like King Kong from California, with kids hitting 300+ foot bombs, was daunting. Our main goal became getting through those games without injuries. Despite the challenges, the boys had an amazing time, with highlights like one of our kids hitting his first home run—a grand slam!
Bracket play spans two intense days. The lowest-seeded teams, like ours, started playing in the morning of the first day. The structure is brutal—teams can play up to five games in a day if they keep winning. The top 16 or so teams get a bye on the first day, giving them a slight advantage. We were amazed to see our boys, despite their low seeding, rally together and win two playoff games. Watching them come together and fight hard, even against the odds, was incredibly rewarding. The talent at Cooperstown is unmatched, with teams coming from all over the world. It’s clear that these teams don’t travel from places like California, Florida, Georgia, or even Australia just to lose.
One of the most memorable teams we encountered was the Ball Girls—a group of the best female players from across the country. They were incredible, and you could feel the pressure they were under. Everyone came out to watch them play, almost as if they were a spectacle, but they proved they belonged on that stage. Their pins were among the most sought-after in the tournament.
Prepare for the weather at Cooperstown—it rains a lot. The organizers work hard to keep the games on schedule, using the turf fields when it’s wet. However, the dirt fields become unplayable in the rain, leading to some very late rescheduling. We had a 6 p.m. game rained out and rescheduled for 2 a.m. The kids were actually pumped about playing in the middle of the night, but the rain didn’t let up, and the game got pushed to 8 a.m. the next morning. While it was disappointing not to get a night game, it’s all part of the unpredictable nature of the tournament.
After the first night of bracket play, we were treated to a spectacular fireworks display. It was a perfect way to end a day filled with intense competition and high emotions, offering a moment to relax and reflect on the experience.
Next year, my son will return with his regular team—a group that knows each other well and has played together for years. We’re hopeful that this familiarity will translate into more success on the field. But regardless of the wins and losses, the Cooperstown experience is something every 12-year-old should have. It’s a rite of passage that leaves lasting memories for everyone involved.
We didn’t have to worry too much about this after hitting only two home runs during our week, but here’s the scoop on retrieving home run balls at Cooperstown. On most fields, you should be able to get your ball unless someone beats you to it. However, some fields are tricky—they’re surrounded by swamps, rivers, dense forests, or are completely fenced off, making retrieval impossible.
A smart move is to collect foul balls early on, especially during events like the Home Run Derby. That way, if your player hits a home run and you can’t retrieve the ball, you’ve got a backup to engrave. Speaking of which, CASV encourages home runs—they even offer engraving services for $25 at the Home Run Center by the gift shop. The fences are generally shorter than where most kids play, so it’s easier for them to hit one out, making this a popular and exciting part of the experience.
When watching games at Cooperstown All-Star Village, families have the option to sit in designated dugouts on the field, which offer a close view of the action. These dugouts are equipped with two rows of metal bleachers, making cushioned stadium chairs a good investment for comfort.
While there's space for strollers and blankets, especially for young children, the dugouts don't have enough room for folding camping chairs, so it's best to leave those at home. For a broader view of the field, hillside seating is also available. Some fields feature additional bleachers outside the ballpark. It's advisable to keep younger children within the dugout for safety, as multiple games mean frequent foul balls from various directions.
When we headed to Cooperstown, my wife and kids stayed home since we had just returned from a trip to Ireland. My wife was upset about missing the games, so she ordered the streaming package. For $100, we had 30 days of access to watch all the games in crystal-clear quality, which was totally worth it. The best part? We could download short clips after the games, making it easy to cut out our son's highlights from the week.
How It Works
You sign up for one account, which can be logged into on four devices, though only two can stream simultaneously. The quality is solid, and while it’s not quite as sharp as using your own camera, it’s reliable enough for most games. We found the service to be a great way to keep everyone in the loop, especially for family members who couldn’t make the trip.
The ability to create and download clips was a huge plus. However, keep in mind that some fields might have camera issues, and if your games are scheduled on one of those fields, you might miss out on streaming altogether. We didn’t run into this problem, but it’s something to be aware of. Also, note that you can’t download entire games—only 60-second clips—but these clips were more than enough to capture the highlights we wanted.
Is It Worth It?
For us, the streaming package was worth the investment, especially since we could share the experience with my wife and kids back home. If you’re only interested in the clips, you could consider splitting the cost with another family or even waiting until the end of the tournament to decide if you want to purchase access.
Initially, I thought the photo package offered at Cooperstown was pretty expensive, but after seeing the results, I can confidently say it was worth every penny. We opted for the team panoramic photo and the action package, which covered three full games. The high-resolution digital photos were stunning and could be easily downloaded directly from their page.
Out of everything we purchased for this trip, the photo package was hands down the best investment. The quality of the photos was incredible—every shot was sharp, vibrant, and perfectly captured the intensity of the games. Plus, the panoramic team photo is a keepsake we’ll treasure for years.
But what really stood out was the customer service. The photographers were not only skilled but also genuinely passionate about giving us the best possible experience. They were approachable, eager to help, and truly wanted their customers to walk away satisfied. If you’re on the fence about whether to invest in the photo package, I can tell you from experience that it’s a decision you won’t regret.
You can use your own equipment but you just can't mount it to the fence.
There are many options, but to make things easier on everyone, try to decide on a team hotel or figure out if other families want to share the cost of a rental home. Since game schedules are often up in the air or changed at the last minute because of the weather, we recommend staying as close to the park as possible so you can go back and forth all day between games.
One thing to note is that players, coaches, and umpires stay at the All-Star Village in the assigned bunkhouse.
Convenient
Indoor pool
Daily breakfast
High speed internet
Fitness Center with Gym / Workout Room
Minutes from Buffalo Wild Wings, Applebees, Walmart, Liquor Barn, Brewery Ommegang, and Cooperstown Brewery.
Located 10 minutes from the CASV the Holiday Inn Express Oneonta is another excellent option. Oh, and did we mention they offer daily cookies at 3:30?
Convenient location to All-Star Village
Clean rooms
Updated bathrooms
High speed internet
Indoor pool
Lots of shopping and restaurants nearby
There is also an outdoor fire pit where you can unwind with a drink after a long day of baseball.
This hotel looks brand new despite being over 5 years old.
It is conveniently located across the street from All Star Village and is about 30 mins from Cooperstown.
A great outdoor area that includes a firepit.
Indoor pool and hot tub
Clean and updated rooms
Fitness Center
Restaurant on site
If you want a different experience and don’t want to stay at a hotel, check out CoopersTownstay's website. This site specializes in rental homes and lodging accommodations for baseball families and their teams. They have a vast selection of different options near Cooperstown, NY.
Deer Haven Campground and Cabins: Directly across from Cooperstown All Star Village, Deer Haven offers a great lodging alternative on 75 acres. It features 40 RV sites with full hook-ups, 15 cabins, RV rentals, and spacious tent sites. Amenities include a pool, playground, pavilion, laundry facilities, fishing, and trails.
Hartwick Highlands Campground: A bit further from All Star Village, Hartwick Highlands provides a blend of open fields and wooded campsites, complete with full hook-ups and log cabin options. Its facilities include a heated pool, WIFI, https://www.hartwickhighlandscg.com/arcade, pavilion, playground, horseshoes, basketball, tetherball, and a Wiffle ball field, offering plenty of activities when not at the park.
The following restaurant list is based on our experience and the recommendations from other baseball parents.
Some other notable restaurants include:
Red Shed Brewery is an incredible place to enjoy local craft beer and food made with fresh, local ingredients. They have live music, yard games, and a wide variety of events.
A must if you are a beer fan like me. They are a craft brewery that specializes in Belgian-style beer. They have great food, live music, and camping on-site.
These guys are great and will bring the food to your rental house and set it up. Very reasonable prices too!
They can accommodate huge groups, has excellent service, and a menu filled with delicious options.
We only ate here once for breakfast, but I can honestly say that I had the best breakfast sandwich I've ever had here.
The Tavern: Offers convenient on-site dining with decent food options, ideal for watching ceremonies. It's a covered area with reasonably fair prices. We hid from the heat in here in between games. It's a great atmosphere and had TVs streaming all of the games that are currently being played. It was cool to see some of the other teams play to see ho we stacked up.
Bunkhouse Special: An option for teams, like ordering pizzas and sodas delivered directly to the bunkhouses. Orders come with necessary plates and cups. Ensure a coach is present for accepting the delivery. This option is convenient after events like the skills competition.
Monster Shakes - I pre-loaded a gift card for my son to use when I wasn't around to pay for him. He ended up using it all on monster shakes. They were massive milk shakes that came in a solid souvenir cup. I didn't know that if you reused the cup, the priced would've been much less than $10. However, these shakes were great especially during the hot weather. I may or may not have had 5 during the week.
Our trip to Cooperstown was truly the experience of a lifetime. Sharing this journey with my oldest son is something I will always remember and cherish. The thrill of watching him play, visiting the Baseball Hall of Fame, and immersing ourselves in the history and spirit of the game deepened our love for baseball. I’m thrilled that we get to do it all over again next year with the entire family and possibly again with my middle son when he’s older. Baseball means so much to us, and there’s nothing quite like being part of this incredible sport. We’re incredibly fortunate to have these experiences, and I can’t imagine how anyone could leave Cooperstown without becoming a lifelong baseball fan.
Get In Touch
1 Joy Street #6
Boston MA, 02018
chris@rbilife.com
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