The Business Behind the Class of 2013

    It only takes a matter of minutes to engrave a baseball bat. But it can take years to master how to swing one. And if you're good enough, some day you may be enshrined into the halls in Cooperstown. And the quaint Otsego County village throws an extravagant party once a year to celebrate those players. But this year that party may not be as big meaning businesses in Cooperstown may see a decline in business.

                Area Business Owner Connie Haney says, "For some businesses that is their business. They're not open the other 9 months of the year. So, if they're not open then those 3 months are the most important to them."

            Baseball writers made 2013 a statement year for the hall of fame. But, it could've been a comeback year for the hall after recent reports show it's been operating at a deficit for nearly a decade. So, does this village go as the hall of fame goes?

            Mayor of Cooperstown Jeff Katz says, "It kind of depends on the year, right. It is definitely the marquee weekend, right. It is the weekend where we have merchants having sidewalk sales, people come in. Player, Hall of Famers and not, are on the sidewalk doing autograph sales. You know it's a fantastic experience even in this year."

            Haney added, "And the spin has been very much that it's not going to be a good summer. And we don't feel that way. Will there be challenges? Sure. But it's important to be creative and think through the process and we will have a positive summer."