St. Marys – The museum turnstiles were turning at a record pace for Opening Weekend at the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, as the 36th Annual London Free Press Shunpiker Mystery Tour helped boost attendance to more than two thousand over the two days.

Mother Nature helped out on Saturday, May 7th, as the warm weather returned to add incentive to numerous families and individuals who took part in the annual Hike and Bike.  In the mean time, Hall of Famer Jim Fanning returned to St. Marys to hand out certificates to the more than one hundred children who participated in the Hall's winter indoor training sessions, and the boys and girls received an extra high five from the coaching staff of the Hall's new 16 & under entry into the Premier Baseball League of Ontario.  Many of the youth stuck around to see Guelph hang on for a 7-4 victory that followed the presentation.

On Sunday, the Shunpiker Mystery Tour helped steer more than fifteen hundred guests to the Hall.  The traffic was steady throughout the day, and visitors from nearby communities such as St. Thomas, Foldens, London and Burford expressed their amazement continually.

"I had no idea that Canada had contributed to the sport of baseball this much," exclaimed Jennifer Masaro of St. Thomas.  "Both my son and daughter enjoyed the tour as much as my husband and myself, and there aren't too many tourism destinations we can say that about!"

The museum is open on weekends throughout May, from 10:30-4:00 on Saturdays, and noon-4:00 on Sundays.  Beginning June 1, the museum will be open seven days a week, with Monday-Friday having the same hours as Saturdays.

Induction Weekend is June 24-25, where Dave Stieb, Steve Rogers, Doc Younker and Pop Smith will be enshrined.  The ninth annual Celebrity Golf Classic takes place on Friday, June 24 with the tee-off set for 10:00am, and it is well on its way to being sold out for the fifth consecutive year.  Non-golfers are encouraged to attend the Sports Celebrity Banquet that evening, as dinner tickets can be purchased through the Hall.

The 2005 Induction Ceremony is slated for 10:00am on Saturday, June 24.  Guests are encouraged to show up prior to 8:30am as the general seating is first come, first serve.

ST MARYS – 9 May 2005

June 24 – 9th Annual Celebrity Golf Classic

June 25 – 2005 Induction Ceremony

2005 SUMMER CAMPS for Boys & Girls

* Week-long camps (drop off Sunday, pick-up Saturday), including accommodation & meals
        * Focus on baseball FUNdamentals, swimming, soccer & tennis, trip to SkyDome
        * Social Justice and Cultural Awareness programs incorporated
        * Baseball Celebrities to take part