Having been involved with the 2008 DVD movie Bluetopia: The L.A. Dodgers Movie, I was honored to be invited to a special screening of the movie at the L.A. Craft and Folk Art Museum this past Thursday. The museum currently has an exhibit called Baseball: The All American Game on display.

It was great to see several of my fellow Bluetopia brothers (as I call them) and to see Timothy Marx, the movie’s producer and director whom I had become good friends with during the season-long filming.

Prior to the screening, I had an opportunity to check out the exhibit and found it to be rather unique. Having been to Cooperstown a couple of times, I kind of thought that the exhibit would be along those lines but it was not. Many of the items on display were 100 years old or more. There were a number of very interesting baseball arcade-type games with life-size painted mannequins.

Also on display were several baseball dartboard games, one of which was very similar to one that I had as a kid. (I remember having to Spackle and paint the wall in my bedroom after years of play – a testament to my skill level).

The exhibit also had a number of interesting baseball-related paintings, quilts, handmade patches and ballpark giveaway collectibles such as the “Fan for a Fan” (c. 1910) for lady spectators of that era. There was also a large display of the many tobacco companies (especially cigars) that were heavily involved in baseball during its early years.

But the one item on display that I was absolutely captivated by was a handmade bench constructed from baseball bats and a couple of autographed baseballs (and you know how I am about autographed baseball). Being aware that most museums do not allow photographs to be taken (especially flash photos), I discretely removed my camera from its case, turned off the flash, and snapped off a couple of shots of this incredible piece (and a few others).

I was in awe of this incredible handmade bench. Note that the seat cushions are actual bases.

I was absolutely speechless when I saw this.

A brief and concise history about how the game that we are so passionate about came to be.

These Ebbets Field seats appear to be just about as comfortable as today’s Left and Right Field Pavilion seats.

Was the Baseball: The All American Game exhibit worth the $7 admission? It might not be for some, but it definitely was for me – especially when you consider that you spend more than $10 for a Dodger Dog and a root beer at the stadium. Besides, when was the last time that you actually saw a Babe Ruth autographed baseball?

The Baseball: The All American Game exhibit runs through September 9, 2012. The Craft and Folk Art Museum is located at 5814 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036 and the exhibit hours are: Tuesday – Friday, 11am – 5pm; Saturday/Sunday, 12pm – 6 pm; closed Mondays. Admission is $7 for adults; $5 for students and seniors, with free admission on the first Wednesday of every month.