Parent Prep Guide

Before You Buy More

What Is Handled

Handled by Team

Pants, Belts, Sheet Package & Team Photo Package

No duplicate family order needed unless a coach or coordinator asks

The team has already ordered the white knicker pants and belts, the sheet package is handled, and the team photo package has been ordered. Families should focus on personal gear: labeled socks and undergarments, cleats, toiletries, shower shoes, a small lock, trading-pin expectations, and comfort items.

Souvenirs

Retail Center — Pre-Order Must-Haves

Popular sizes and souvenirs can sell out during tournament weeks

Cooperstown Dreams Park lists the Retail Center as the official source for clothing, souvenirs, pins, engraving, frames, and tournament items. If there is a must-have souvenir, order ahead for park pickup when that option is available, or shop early in the week instead of waiting until the end.

Start at cdpshop.com for official Dreams Park retail items. Do not order a separate photo package unless the team coordinator says your family needs something outside the team package.

Before You Arrive

Park Rules & Policies

🚫

No outside food or beverages — per NYS Department of Health, nothing except bottled water may be brought onto the grounds. All meals and snacks must be purchased on-site.

🚫

No alcohol on the grounds at any time.

🚫

No RVs or campers are permitted inside the park.

🚫

No drones or aerial photography.

🎒

All bags are subject to search upon entry.

📷

Personal recording permitted in spectator sections only — not from field-level areas.

🚗

Free parking and free admission for all guests. CDP is a drive-in/drive-out facility — no overnight parking on grounds.

🪑

Chairs with backs are available at all fields except Little Majors Stadium, which has bleachers.

A Cooperstown Tradition

Pin Trading

📌

Team pins are ordered; final count is TBD. Pin trading is popular, but we do not know the exact number per player yet.

✅

Remove all pins from plastic bags and wrappers before traveling. Only loose pins are accepted for trading — this is required at the park.

📅

Scheduled trading sessions run daily at the Family Pavilion (players and siblings) and Baseball Village (team trading). Siblings are welcome to participate, but sibling pins are not included in the team order right now. See the full itinerary for exact session times each day.

⭐

On arrival day (Day 1), the official Pin Trader — Commander Pete — exchanges a CDP pin with each team for their team pin at the Baseball Village.

August 11–17, 2026

Full Day-by-Day Schedule

Games, ceremonies, meals, pin trading, and check-out times.

View Itinerary →

Leave It Home

Do Not Pack

❌

Extra team uniform pieces unless a coach asks. Dreams Park provides the team jerseys and hats, and our team order has already handled pants and belts.

❌

Outside food or drinks of any kind, except bottled water.

❌

Drones or recording equipment for field-level use.

❌

Trading pins still in individual plastic bags or wrappers.

Addresses & Contact

Park Address

4550 State HWY 28
Milford, NY 13807

Ship Packages To

Cooperstown Dreams Park
4648 State HWY 28
Cooperstown, NY 13326
Include team name + coach name on every package

Phone

(607) 547-4061

On-Site at the Park

✓24-hour medical & first aid staff
✓24-hour security
✓Free admission + free parking
✓Uniform laundry service (schedule posted)
✓Snack shacks open through last game
✓Retail center (engraving, souvenirs, gear)
✓Two ATMs on-site
✓Daily webcast of games & ceremonies
✓Pizza deal: buy 6 pies, get 7th free

Parking by Field

All lots free. No RVs or campers in park.

Lot AFields 1–10
Lot BFields 11–18
Lot CFields 15–22

Spectator Guide

For Parents at the Park

What Parents Should Bring

💧

Bottled water — the only outside item permitted on grounds

🪑

Folding chair or stadium seat — most fields have chairs with backs, but a personal chair is useful for extended watching. Little Majors Stadium has bleachers only.

☀️

Sunscreen and a hat — you'll be outside all day, every day

🧥

Light jacket or sweatshirt for evenings — temperatures drop after sunset

💳

Credit card or cash — all snack shacks and the Retail Center accept major cards. Two ATMs on-site.

📷

Camera — personal recording is allowed from spectator sections. No drones.

Do Not Miss

⭐

Opening Ceremony — Wednesday, Aug 12 at 9:30 am. Skills competitions and the full team parade. Be there early.

⭐

Closing Ceremony & Hall of Fame Induction — Sunday, Aug 16 at 6:00 pm. Team lineup at 5:45 pm. This is a mandatory family moment — do not leave early.

🎆

Fireworks — Sunday, Aug 16 at 9:00 pm, followed immediately by the Championship Game.

🎵

Sing the National Anthem or "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" — parents and family members can sign up. Register with the head coach before Day 1.

Food & Drink

🍕

Snack shacks in all six field zones — open daily through the end of the last game. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner options available.

🍕

Pizza deal: buy 6 whole pizzas, get a 7th free.

🏠

Dining Pavilion (map: E) and Village Snack Shack (map: D) for full meals.

🚫

No outside food or beverages except bottled water — per NYS Department of Health. Plan to eat on-site.

Logistics

🚗

Free parking in all lots. Arrive knowing which lot corresponds to your player's field (Lot A: Fields 1–10, Lot B: 11–18, Lot C: 15–22). No RVs or campers in park.

📺

Daily webcast of ceremonies and games — watch from your hotel if needed.

🏥

24-hour medical and first aid staff on-site. 24-hour security throughout the park.

🏠

Players stay in on-site clubhouses — check-in is Day 1, check-out is Monday Aug 17, 6:00–9:00 am.

📍

Guest Services at both South Entrance (map: L) and North Entrance (map: O) for any questions at the park.

What Nobody Tells You

Parent Reality Check

A practical, parent-to-parent checklist for the things that make the week easier once the official forms and team orders are handled.

Good news: our team has already handled the white knicker pants, belts, sheet package, and team photo package. Families do not need to place duplicate orders unless a coach or coordinator specifically asks.

Bunks & Clubhouse

Think small, labeled, and self-contained: a small combination lock, clip-on fan, phone charger or power bank, shower shoes, mesh laundry bag, and a quiet activity for downtime. The sheet package is handled; confirm with the coordinator whether your player should still bring a pillow or light blanket.

Showers & Health

Pack shower shoes, body wash, deodorant, sunscreen, Gold Bond or anti-chafe spray, and any prescriptions clearly labeled. A full week of baseball, heat, rain, and shared spaces is easier when the basics are obvious and already in the bag.

Laundry & Labels

Dreams Park lists a uniform cleaning service schedule, but personal clothing still needs a plan. Label socks, underwear, slides, chargers, water bottles, towels, and bags. When twenty-four players bring similar gear, labels save everyone.

Retail & Souvenirs

The official Retail Center sells clothing, souvenirs, pins, engraving, frames, and tournament items. Popular items and sizes can sell out, so if there is a must-have souvenir, order ahead for park pickup when available or shop early in the week. The team photo package is already ordered.

Parent Day Kit

Bring walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, layers, a poncho or rain jacket, bottled water, and a sibling plan. You will move around the park more than you expect, and the weather can change fast.

Schedule Reality

For our week, Tuesday, Aug. 11 is Day 1 check-in, registration, and team photos. Wednesday, Aug. 12 is Day 2 opening ceremony and skills competitions at 9:30 am on the official Dreams Park itinerary.