Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame in Hernando, Florida

Entering the Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame in Hernando, Florida made me feel like a kid again, listening to Boston Red Sox games on my grandmother's Philco radio and hearing the crowd go wild as “The Splendid Splinter” steps to the plate.

Shaped like a baseball diamond, the museum is definitely worth a trip if you're in the area of the Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Drive, St. Petersburg, Forida. Its interior is green, courtesy of the exact same color of paint used in Boston's venerable Fenway Park.

A larger-than-life statue of the late Ted Williams, one of the game's greatest hitters and the last man to bat over .400 for a season (1941), stands in the center of the diamond. As you “round the bases”, displays take you chronologically through the slugger's amazing 22-year career.

The exhibits also chronicle the Hall of Famer's life off the field, touching on his military service and his lifelong love of fishing. Several of his trophy fish are on display.

In addition, the museum boasts a “who's who” of baseball in the Hitters Hall of Fame. Induction ceremonies are held each February, on the weekend before President's Day.

A theater shows continuous video footage of “Teddy Ballgame” and other notables, and many of the game's greats are featured in displays. If you have questions, friendly volunteers are eager to help.

Walking through this museum reminded me of buying baseball cards in nickel packs of bubble gum. When it comes to museums, this one hits the cover off the ball!