Published: July 03, 2008 09:06 am         

Hall sets June attendance record

By ERIC AHLQVIST
Cooperstown Crier

So far, the National Baseball Hall of Fame appears to be recession- proof.

The museum had its best June attendance figure in history, with 45,733 fans passing through the turnstiles. That figure broke last year’s record of 43,014.

In the first six months of 2008, the Hall drew 97,504 visitors, up five percent from the 92,986 visitors in the first six months of 2007. ``We’re incredibly encouraged by our visitorship,’’ said Hall spokesman Brad Horn. ``Especially considering all the factors which are out of our control.’’

One negative factor is gas prices, which have risen to above four dollars a gallon, which could mean tourists would be less likely to travel to Cooperstown.

But Horn said the museum’s aggressive programming, affordable price and the overall popularity of Major League Baseball have helped to bolster attendance. Horn said Hall membership is above 32,000, which is also the highest in the 69- year history of the museum.

Last week, Horn traveled to Cincinnati to accept the helmet Ken Griffey Jr. used when he hit his 500th career home run in June. The helmet is on display in the Today’s Game exhibit on the second floor of the museum.

``Every year in which we have drawn at least 92,000 visitors through June, we’ve gone on to draw at least 330,000 for the year,’’ Horn said.

That held true last year, as the museum went on to draw 352,119 in 2007, up 50,000 from the 2006 figure of 312,100.

The final Hall of Fame Game was scheduled to be played June 16, and the Hall drew approximately 7,500 fans from June 14 to 17.

Last year’s Induction Ceremony featured Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn, and the Hall got a big attendance boost during Hall of Fame Weekend.

This year’s ceremony is slated for Sunday, July 27, and will feature baseball writers’ selection Rich ``Goose’’ Gossage as well as five Veterans Committee selections, including former manager Dick Williams. The Hall announced Wednesday that nearly 50 Hall of Famers will return for the ceremony. ``The first six months have been encouraging, but our work is by no means complete,’’ Horn said.