Although attendance at the museum is down about nine percent from this time last year, Hall of Fame official Brad Horn said there are many reasons for optimism as the all-important summer months begin.

"We're pleased with the first half of '06 given that gas is close to $3 a gallon and other factors in baseball that may sour fans," Horn said. "We drew about 78,000 fans in the past three months, and we're encouraged that trends point to a strong July, August and September for us."

The museum is busy gearing up for Hall of Fame Weekend July 28-31, as the largest inductee class in Hall of Fame history takes center stage on Sunday, July 30 at 1:30 p.m. in the annual Induction Ceremony. A full weekend of family events, baseball entertainment, and exclusive opportunities will be available, Horn said.

"We've averaged around 330,000 visitors since 1998, and we think we'll be on pace for that number again once the summer season is over," Horn said.

Eighteen electees to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006 total the largest single inductee class in history, topping the 11 in 1946.

Reliever Bruce Sutter, who emerged from the Baseball Writers' Association of America vote in January, will be joined by 17 electees from the Negro leagues and pre-Negro leagues eras, featuring 12 players: Ray Brown, Willard Brown, Andy Cooper, Frank Grant, Pete Hill, Biz Mackey, Jose Mendez, Louis Santop, Mule Suttles, Ben Taylor, Cristobal Torriente and Jud Wilson, along with five executives: Effa Manley, Alex Pompez, Cum Posey, Sol White and J.L. Wilkinson. Bios of each of the 18 Hall of Fame electees are available at baseballhalloffame.org.

Manley becomes the first woman elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Grant, Hill, Mendez, Santop and Taylor are considered pre-Negro leagues players, while White is recognized as a pre-Negro leagues era executive.

As the lone 2006 inductee whose career was spent in the major leagues, Sutter's plaque cap will feature the St. Louis Cardinals logo, though the Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves, for whom Sutter also played, will also be listed. Sutter is the lone living inductee and will deliver a speech during the Ceremony.

For each of the 17 deceased electees, a family member or designee will read the individual's Hall of Fame plaque text, while a brief video tribute is offered for each electee.

Negro leagues legend John "Buck" O'Neil and Sharon Robinson, daughter of Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson, will each deliver speeches during the ceremony.

An estimated 40 to 50 Hall of Fame members are expected to attend Hall of Fame Weekend to welcome the 2006 class. The Induction Ceremony will be held on the grounds of the Clark Sports Center. The event is scheduled to commence at 1:30 p.m. and will be shown live on ESPN Classic, with live radio broadcast nationally on ESPN Radio. An audio and video stream cast will be available at baseballhalloffame.org.

Additionally, the Hall of Fame will recognize longtime voice of the Houston Astros, Gene Elston, with the 2006 Ford C. Frick award for major contributions to baseball broadcasting, and Tracy Ringolsby, currently of the Rocky Mountain News, who has covered baseball for 30 years, with the 2005 J.G. Taylor Spink award for meritorious contributions to baseball writing, presented by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

Veteran baseball announcer George Grande, who has called games for ESPN, the New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals and currently, the Cincinnati Reds, will return as master of ceremonies.

Grande has introduced the returning Hall of Fame members at the Induction Ceremony since 1981. Country Music Hall of Famer Charley Pride, a former Negro leagues player, will deliver the National Anthem.

Unless severe weather forces its cancellation, the ceremony will take place on the grounds outside of the Clark Sports Center, which is located on lower Susquehanna Avenue, one mile south of the Hall of Fame.

Professional interpreters will be provided for the hearing impaired.

The Ceremony is expected to last two-to-three hours. Seating for the event is unlimited and free of charge.

A blanket or lawn chair is recommended for comfortable viewing. As the weather in Cooperstown can be quite warm in July, it is recommended that visitors bring a cap and sunscreen.