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Experience History: Baseball

This is a view from the stands at Forbes Field looking toward the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh taken sometime between June and October 1943. The Navy sailor at the end of the field was removed at the close of the season. The remnants of Forbes Field can be found in two spots on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh (Pa.). City Photographer /University of Pittsburgh

Gathered here are suggestions where history can be experienced. Information included was gathered from the museums’ websites.

Heinz History Center

Address: 1212 Smallman St. , Pittsburgh

Phone: 412-454-6000

Open: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Of Note: The Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum tells the stories of Pittsburghers who became champions and champions who became Pittsburghers. Relive the iconic moments that made them great through hundreds of artifacts and more than 70 interactives in the two-floor museum located inside the history center. From boxing to baseball, from the sandlots to the professional leagues, visitors will find something to cheer about.

Scrappers Baseball Museum

Address: 416 Robbins Ave., Niles, Ohio

Phone: 330-718-7374

Open: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily

Of Note: For nearly 20 years, the Scrappers have delighted baseball fans in the Mahoning Valley. The museum has everything from game worn jerseys to signed bats and baseballs from Indian greats including Francisco Lindor, Bradley Zimmer, C.C. Sabathia, Victor Martinez and many others.

Baseball Wax Museum

Address: 99 Main St., Cooperstown, N.Y.

Phone: 607-547-1273

Open: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily

Of Note: Realistic, life-sized wax figures of many of the greatest players in baseball history. Including some that you may not expect.

National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

Address: 25 Main St., Cooperstown, N.Y.

Phone: 888-425-5633

Open: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily

Of Note: Since opening its doors more than 80 years ago, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum has been dedicated to preserving history, honoring excellence and connecting generations. Located on Main Street in the historic Village of Cooperstown, the museum brings the history of our national pastime to life. The second floor exhibits cover baseball's history from its humble beginnings to today. The "Taking the Field" exhibit transports observers back in time and explains how a bat, ball and bases became our national pastime. "Whole New Ballgame" collects artifacts from the most recent decades, complete with pop culture staples. Babe Ruth's life and legend live here, as do the "Diamond Dreams" of the many women who have left their mark on the game.

World of Little League Museum

Address: 525 Montgomery Pike (U.S. 15), South Williamsport, Pa.

Phone: 570-326-3607

Open: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily

Of Note: The focus of the museum shifted from simply telling the story of Little League’s past to a more dynamic presentation of how Little League has intertwined with U.S. and world history, and even helped to shape history. The museum explains how Little League became the world’s leader not only in the number of participants, but in sports safety as well.

Baseball Heritage Museum

Address: 6601 Lexington Ave., Cleveland, Ohio

Phone: 216-789-1083

Open: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday to Sunday

Of Note: The mission of the Baseball Heritage Museum is to preserve and present the stories of diversity in baseball by entertaining and educating visitors about the multicultural heritage of baseball and the values it represents. The museum is located at League Park, the original home of Cleveland baseball, in the center of the historic Hough neighborhood of Cleveland.

BWP Bats

Address: 80 Womeldorf Lane, Brookville, Pa.

Phone: 814-849-0089

Open: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday

Of Note: BWP Bats is a wooden bat manufacturer. BWP Bats is located in the heartland of Pennsylvania, which is known as the hardwood capital of the world. Only the finest hardwood trees are processed into bats. The company offers factory tours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The best time to see the machinery run is from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m Monday through Friday.

Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum

Address: 356 Field St., Greenville, S.C.

Phone: 864-346-4867

Open: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday

Of Note: The Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum and Baseball Library is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the life and preserving the legacy of the greatest natural hitter to ever play the game. Through the research, collection, and display of many original artifacts, photos, and countless books in our on-site research library, we provide comprehensive context for Joe’s place in baseball history. In addition to dispelling myths and educating the public about the truth of Joe’s life and career, our mission is to be an active, contributing member within our local communities, continuing to grow the game of baseball for generations to come.

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

Address: 1616 E. 18th St., Kansas City, Mo.

Phone: 816-221-1920

Open: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, 12 to 5 p.m. Sunday

Of Note: The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is the world’s only museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich history of African American baseball and its impact on the social advancement of America. The privately funded, not-for-profit organization was established in 1990 and is in the heart of Kansas City, Missouri’s Historic 18th & Vine Jazz District. The museum operates two blocks from the Paseo YMCA where Andrew “Rube” Foster established the Negro National League in 1920.

National Museum of American History

Address: 1300 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, D.C.; 2nd Floor East, Albert M. Small Documents Gallery

Phone: 816-221-1920

Open: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday

Of Note: Take me out to the ballgame exhibit — For nearly a century, baseball has been a crucial social and cultural force in Latino communities across the United States. And, for just as long, Latino/a players have had a huge impact on the game. ¡Pleibol! examines how generations of Latinos/as have helped make the game what it is today. From youth and community teams to the Major League, the exhibition reveals how baseball brings people together regardless of race, class, or gender. These inspirational baseball stories reflect larger themes in American history that connect us all, on and off the diamond.

National Postal Museum

Address: 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE, Washington, D.C.

Phone: 202-633-5555

Open: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily

Of Note: Baseball: America’s Home Run will be featured until Jan. 5, 2025. From fan letters and post office baseball teams to the worlds of stamp and baseball memorabilia collecting, the exhibit explores our national pastime through a unique, postal lens.

Forbes Field remnants at University of Pittsburgh

Address: 4227 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh

Open: daily

Of Note: The remnants of Forbes Field can be found in two spots on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh. Forbes Field’s center field wall can be found off Roberto Clemente Drive, which runs between Schenley Drive and South Bouquet Street near Schnley Plaza and the Cathedral of Learning. In addition to a historical marker, visitors can walk right up to the wall in this well-maintained park.

Posvar Hall sits on the former site of Forbes Field, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1909 to 1970. Babe Ruth hit his last two home runs at the ballpark. The home plate from Forbes Field is preserved on the ground floor of Posvar Hall, embedded in glass. A commemorative plaque notes the last two games played on the field — a doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs. Outside the hall, brick inlaid into the concrete sidewalk marks the line of Forbes Field’s outfield wall.

Clemente Museum

Address: 3339 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh

Phone: 412-621-1268

Open: Guided tours only

Of Note: The Clemente Museum is housed in a historic firehouse in the revitalized Lawrenceville section of Pittsburgh. Duane Rieder, executive director and curator, has renovated Engine House 25 to showcase the world’s largest exhibited collection of baseball artifacts, works of art, literature, photographs, memorabilia, and related materials which focus on Roberto Clemente, his teammates, his personal life, and his humanitarian causes.

Field of Dreams

Address: 28995 Lansing Rd. Dyersville, Iowa

Phone: 563-875-8404

Open: sunrise to sunset

Of Note: “The most magical place on dirt” Once you enter the Field of Dreams Movie Site and Field, fans can have a catch on the original movie site, tour or stay in the Kinsella family home, visit the gift shop

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