The National Baseball Hall of Fame reopened on Friday, June 26, in accordance with New York State’s regionally-focused phased reopening plan, and with thorough health and safety measures in place.
The museum had been closed to the public since March 15 due to concerns over the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. But now as New York State enters Phase 4 of their reopening plan, fans will once again be permitted to attend, albeit with some restrictions.
The use of face masks for all staff and visitors will be required, as mandated by New York State guidelines. Free single-use masks will be available at the museum entrance for guests who do not have one.
What’s more, museum capacity will be limited based on a timed ticketing process to allow for physical distancing. Timed admission tickets will be available for purchase at baseballhall.org on a first-come, first-served basis.
To remind visitors of safety procedures, directional markers and signage have been added to museum spaces. More than 25 hand sanitizing stations have also been placed throughout the museum.
However, the Hall of Fame’s larger gathering spaces such as the Grandstand Theater, Bullpen Theater, Learning Center and Sandlot Kids’ Clubhouse will remain closed until further notice.
Furthermore, protective clear acrylic shields have been installed at the museum admission desk and at check-out counters within the museum store. The buildings will also undergo increased cleaning and disinfecting.
Employees will arrive at different times throughout the day to accommodate physical distancing. They will be given a health screening assessment and temperature check each day prior to entering the museum.
These health and safety protocols were developed from guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and New York State. They were additionally reviewed by a certified Industrial Hygiene Technician to ensure the safety of both the staff and visitors.
When the Hall of Fame opens its doors, fans of all 30 clubs will be treated to a brand new feature, “Starting Nine: The Must-See Artifacts from your Favorite Team.” The experience highlights nine historic pieces for each team and guarantees visitors won’t miss a single must-see item during their visit to the museum.
While the museum will resume operations this summer, the 2020 National Baseball Hall of Fame induction weekend, set for July 24-27, has been postponed to next year.
The quartet of Derek Jeter, Larry Walker, Marvin Miller and Ted Simmons will now be recognized on Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Cooperstown, along with any new members that are elected as part of the 2021 class.
Others slated to be honored include 2020 J.G. Taylor Spink Award winner Nick Cafardo, 2020 Ford C. Frick Award winner Hawk Harrelson and the recipient of the 2020 Buck O’Neil Lifetime Achievement Award, David Montgomery.
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