My District: Is Home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

• Author: Rassenfoss, Joe

"My District" gives NCSL members a chance to talk about life in the places they represent, from the high-profile events to the fun facts only the locals know.

Former Major League Baseball Commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti famously wrote that the sport "is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall all alone."

The fact is, though, the game never ends at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y., about 75 miles west of the capital, Albany. While there might be doubt about the claim that Abner Doubleday invented baseball there in 1839, there's no doubt the Hall has become holy ground for fans since its 1939 opening in the town founded by Judge William Cooper, father of famed author James Fenimore Cooper.

Visitors from around the world, more than 3,000 a day in peak season, pore over the Hall's collection of 40,000-plus artifacts. And games are still played at nearby Doubleday Field, including the Hall of Fame Classic featuring legends of the game over Memorial Day weekend. The year's big event is the annual Induction Ceremony, attended by as many as 80,000 visitors. This year's ceremony on July 24 will see the induction of David Ortiz, Gil Hodges, Jim Kaat, Minnie Minoso, Tony Oliva and Buck O'Neil.

We caught up with Assemblyman John Salka (R-District 121) and Sen. Peter Oberacker (R-District 51) to talk about the joys of Cooperstown, the Hall of Fame and other attractions in their districts.

Did you play baseball as a youngster?

Oberacker: I played baseball, basketball and soccer. On the diamond, I spent most of my time on the mound pitching for Schenevus (N.Y.) Central School and later at SUNY Delhi. Perhaps my top personal accomplishment was pitching a perfect game against Laurens Central School during my junior year at Schenevus.

Salka: I fondly remember playing ball after school. It is safe to say many of my childhood days were spent on the sandlot. Despite my arm, I was a horrible pitcher and instead opted for shortstop or the outfield.

What's your favorite team?

Salka: Of course, the New York Yankees!

Oberacker: The New York Yankees. I had the good fortune to meet three of my favorite Yankees: Jim "Catfish" Hunter, Chris Chambliss and Ron Guidry.

How often do you visit the Hall of Fame?

Oberacker: Growing up...