Jun 08

Play Ball! The Story of a Town and A Game

Virtual location

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Tuesday, June 8, 2027
12:30pm - 01:30pm

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Free

Ilion, located just 28 miles from Cooperstown and the National Baseball Hall of Fame, has witnessed events that helped shape America’s enduring fascination with the sport.

Author and historian Joe Collea traces baseball’s footprint in Ilion—from friendly rivalries between company-sponsored teams, including those from Remington (manufacturer of firearms and typewriters)—to the construction of local parks and fields. He also explores a later effort by five Ilion residents to erect a statue of Abner Doubleday in Cooperstown, then believed to be the inventor of baseball.

Through Ilion’s growth and challenges, baseball has remained a constant—animating the community’s hearts, minds, and ambitions. Join us to learn about Ilion’s contributions to a sport that has captivated New Yorkers and fans around the world for generations.

Recording will be available afterwards and will be emailed to registrants.

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Joe Collea is a graduate of Ilion High School and holds three degrees from the University at Albany, SUNY. As a Fulbright Scholar, he also pursued studies at the University of Cairo, further broadening his academic and cultural perspective.

Mr. Collea dedicated 47 years to public education, serving as both a teacher and administrator. In addition to his career in education, he has been deeply involved in public service, serving three terms as a village trustee and three terms as the mayor of Ilion, New York.

A prolific writer, Mr. Collea is the author of nine books, including five focused on the history of his hometown, two on baseball, and two on the Civil War era. His work has also appeared in New York Archives, where he has published five articles.

He currently resides in Scotia, New York.

Thomas J. Ruller recently retired from his position as New York State Archivist, a role he held since 2015. An active professional for 35 years, he is the author of several peer-reviewed journal articles and reviews on the use of technology in Archives and the preservation of records in electronic form. Tom has been a consultant for several State governments and other organizations focusing on electronic records management and preservation. He remains actively engaged as a Board Member and Steward of the Archives Partnership Trust.

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