COOPERSTOWN, N.Y.
For the sixth straight year baseball's Hall of Fame weekend kicked off with "Play Ball with Ozzie Smith," a feature in which fans have the opportunity to participate in a skills clinic with the Wizard of Oz, George Brett and a third Hall of Famer who changes every year. This year it's Eddie Murray.
The money raised goes directly to the HOF's educational department and none of the three Hall of Famers get paid for their time, Ozzie said.
"We just try to give the fans an experience, something they can have on a personal level," Ozzie said. "It’s a great way to interact with them and show them what we do."
"One year it rained and we had to go indoors. George talked to them about trying to hit .400. How much better can it get for a baseball fan than that? He explained what it was like going down the stretch, what he was doing, what he was thinking. I found that fascinating myself."