For Derek Jeter, a Hall of Fame Induction Without the Fans
The inaugural ceremony of the Baseball Hall of Fame is that rare of the biggest events: free for spectators, with no strict abilities. The price you pay is in an attempt to get a quaint upscale village of Lake Otsego, Cooperstown, NY. The prize is a place on a field near the Clark Sports Center, in which the greatest players in history gather on a stage.
But with that setting comes a problem the Hall of Fame cannot solve. For the second year in a row, there will be no induction ceremony for fans. Last year’s program was canceled due to a coronovirus epidemic, and Hall announced on Friday that this year would be moved to an indoor Cooperstone location on the MLB Network as a “television event” – including any fan permission. Is not.
What was expected to be a record crowd for once Derek Jeter’s induction, Long time Yankees captain, there will be no rush now. Jeter, Larry Walker, Ted Simmons and Marvin Miller – the 2020 class – will be honored on July 25, with only friends and invited guests allowed to view in person.
“It’s very tough with logistics,” Hall of Fame President Tim Mead told Cooperstown by telephone on Friday. “It’s a lot of territory, and because it’s not a ticket, it’s not like the places that are opening up, where seats are assigned and you can plan and say it’s three or four or whatever. , Is a party. It would be very problematic with our infrastructure to keep it in Cooperstown. “
Moving the ceremony outside of Cooperstown – perhaps to an outdoor location with a controlled seating arrangement – had little appeal to a hiding institution. Even without fans, the Bikulik setting is a destination for the Hall of Famers and is a seemingly irreplaceable part of the event.
“History is here in Cooperstown,” Mead said. “It is for members of the Hall of Fame family. It gives them the opportunity to perform other functions, not just ceremonies.”
Other Hall of Fame awards – for baseball writing, transmit excellence and lifetime achievement – are traditionally presented on the first day of a ceremony at Dolde Field, a small ballpark down a long house down Main Street Runs. Those awards, one of which is for the longtime sportscast Al Michaels, will also be presented indoors this year.
If the Hall of Fame had opted out of any event or to hold its annual parade, which was also canceled – it could entice fans to travel, even if Jeter and the other stars are far away For glimpse. While the museum is open in 25 percent capacity (about 400 visitors at a time), it is expected to discourage the general flood of tourists visiting a small village at the same time.
“It is not appropriate for the community to put themselves in that position,” Mead said.
The Hall of Fame said it would follow all of New York State’s health guidelines in organizing the event. Baseball writers did, inadvertently, to keep their attendance down: no player received the 75 percent required for the election last month, not particularly convincing newcomers in a limited gathering.
