GLEN HEAD, N.Y. - iSportsWire -- They began lining up at 2 a.m. At least that's the reported time that the first guest appeared at Strat-O-Matic Headquarters on Railroad Avenue, in the shadow of the Glen Head Long Island Rail Road stop. The first of what grew to more than 200 hearty souls braved near-freezing temperatures Friday in order to be among those to get ahold of the new baseball season cards fresh out of the warehouse.

In what has become an annual tradition, gamers from across the country – and sometimes other parts of the world – gather outside the blue-gray offices, not only to pick up the new season game and other items, but to meet friends old and new who share a love for the game that has been such an important part of their lives.

More on iSports Wire

• New Professional Association to Study Principles of Hospitality Applied to the Delivery of Healthcare
• United Super League Announces League-Wide Deal With Kitman Labs For Advanced EMR System
• Clinical Endpoints Successfully Met in Study for Groundbreaking 12-Lead ECG Synthesis Technology Allowing Software Application to FDA: HeartBeam, Inc
• Yerevan to Host the 60th European Senior Karate Championships
• Boston Industrial Solutions, Inc. Unveils Natron® 504N UV LED Inks Designed for EPSON Printheads

By all accounts, Bret Sypniewski traveled the farthest, getting into his customized white cargo van and traversing the country all the way from Las Vegas, where he took orders of his own for upwards of 30 games from friends and competitors at the various tournaments that he's participated in regularly since retirement.

"It took me about 10 days, I took the scenic route," said the affable Sypniewski, who has played the game for more than 35 years, a time frame that seemed to match many of the Opening Day participants. "I enjoy the tournaments, playing face to face, getting to interact with people while we play."

Sypniewski made the Strat-O-Matic visit the fulcrum of a trip that included stops in Lubbock, Texas, for some hiking and a Texas Tech Red Raiders basketball game, another in Lexington, Kentucky, for a UK game and various other activities. His diverse interests match the variety of Strat-O-Matic baseball seasons that he enjoys playing.

More on iSports Wire

• Kavelle Christie: Trump's First 100 Days Mark Alarming Breakdown in Healthcare, Public Health, and Freedoms
• Brothers of Kelly Park Awarded Grant from The Skillman Foundation for 2025 B.O.K. Free Summer Camp
• Battlefield FCA Celebrates Jersey Mike's Subs Day of Giving Success
• Caldwell University's Ashleigh Tavaska Named CACC Softball Player of the Year
• OpenSSL Technical Advisory Committee Elections Now Open – Cast Your Vote

"I enjoy playing the 1911-1930 teams, but I'm picking up the new season and 1984," he added. "I like the old time stuff, I learn a lot about the players."

Another highlight for Opening Day attendees is meeting the Strat-O-Matic founder and creator, Hal Richman, who enjoys hearing fans talk about the decades of enjoyment that the game has brought them.

Strat-O-Matic Chief Content Officer John Garcia presided over the Opening Day ceremonies, which included the induction of three members into the Strat-O-Matic Hall of Fame, including former major leaguer and noted SOM enthusiast Keith Hernandez, longtime game tester Larry Foster and Strat-O-Matic Forum editor Dan Patterson.

Garcia and CEO Adam Richman also raffled off some unique items.

www.strat-o-matic.com.