The Hall had its second best attendance figures in its 62-year history for the first six months of the year, trailing only 1999, drawing 100,406 visitors in the first half of 2002. Capping it off was the best June attendance figures in museum history, with 41,782 passing through the turnstiles. The figures mark a ten percent increase over the first half of 2001, said Hall of Fame spokesman Brad Horn.

"We feel there are two main factors for the increased attendance," Horn said. "First, many families are choosing to take vacations that are driving distance rather than flying halfway across the country. Second, our "Baseball as America" traveling exhibit, which opened at the Museum of Natural History earlier this year, is serving as a good taste of what people expect to see here. After seeing it in New York, many are making the trip to Cooperstown."

Horn and Hall officials realize, though, that another work stoppage in baseball, as is being threatened, could stall the momentum and soaring attendance figures the museum has shown in recent years.

"Certainly, we're hoping there is nothing that happens in baseball that would alienate the fans," Horn said. "We did have a great first six months, but it's hard to predict what that will mean for the rest of the year. July and August are the months when we draw the most visitors, so we'll have to wait and see the attendance figures for the summer months."

The Hall suffered after the last player's strike in 1994, seeing attendance dip to a 10-year low in 1997. But the home run chase of Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa in 1998 helped bring fans back to the game and to the Hall of Fame.

Horn said the Hall of Fame was expecting a large Hall of Fame Weekend crowd July 26-29 when former shortstop Ozzie Smith will be the lone inductee. There will be no Veterans Committee candidates as the rules for election were changed last year, and voting will now take place every other year.

"Philadelphia Phillies announcer Harry Calas is receiving the Ford C. Frick Award, and we know a strong fan base from Philadelphia will be at the induction," Horn said. "And while Ozzie Smith played most of his career in St. Louis, he is a nationally recognized name and popular all over the country. Ozzie's style of play reached fans everywhere."