The Hall's attendance figures for the first seven months of the year are 194,959, including 94,533 in July alone. The figures mark the third best attendance figures in the 63-year history of the museum, and a 13 percent increase over the first seven months of 2001.

Hall of Fame spokesman Jeff Idelson attributes the strong attendance in part to the museum's inventive programming, which he said has grown in the three plus years Dale Petroskey has been president.

For example, on Aug. 21 and 22 the Hall will host New York City firefighter and former major league player Frank Tepedino to discuss both his major league career and the tragic events of September 11.

In September, baseball fans will have a chance meet and greet "The Rookie," Jim Morris. A school teacher by trade, Jim Morris was the Cinderella story of the 1999 Major League Baseball season. At the age of 35, and some 11 years after retiring from the minor leagues, Morris won a relief pitching job with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

After spending just three months in their minor league system, Morris returned to Texas as a member of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays pitching staff with his family and students in attendance, and struck out Rangers' all-star Royce Clayton in his debut. A movie of Morris' story, starring Dennis Quaid, premiered recently.

"What started as a small idea for a Valentine's Day film series has blossomed into a programming schedule of over 300 events year round," Idelson said. "Dale Petroskey and Chairman Jane Forbes Clark have continued to give the resources and backing to increase programming and it has produced good growth in offseason attendance."

Idelson said the increased programming in recent years has also made the Hall of Fame a viable community resource.

"We have a strong local membership and the programming has allowed us to have a much stronger visitorship within the community," he said.

One potential dark cloud on the horizon for the Hall of Fame would be a player's strike, which is possible later this month or in September. But Idelson said the fact the player's failed to set a strike date on Monday could bode well for a settlement between the two sides.

"Nobody wants history to repeat itself and have another 1994," Idelson said, referring to the last strike which wiped out the end of the regular season as well as the playoffs and World Series. "Everyone involved is hopeful, and my feeling is a work stoppage is the last thing anyone wants and can be avoided."