Baseball Hall of Fame to change voting eligibility

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum's Board of Directors made a change in its voting eligibility on Tuesday.

To be eligible for the Hall of Fame vote, Baseball Writers Association of America members must be covering the game for at least 10 years or be no more than 10 years removed from active involvement.

"BBWAA members previously holding Hall of Fame voting privileges who are no longer active in the game and are more than 10 years removed from active status will have the opportunity for annual reinstatement, based on their coverage of the game in the preceding year," the Hall of Fame said in a statement.

There are about 650 BBWAA members eligible to vote as 10-year BBWAA members. A voter registration system and survey will determine eligibility going forward.

"The Board of Directors strongly believes the BBWAA has done an excellent job at reviewing candidates for election each year since 1936," said Jane Forbes Clark, Chairman of the Board of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. "The Board feels that the changes enacted over the last two years ensure that the highest levels of integrity are maintained in the voting process, with the most active electorate possible considering candidates for Hall of Fame election."

After an online registration starting in August, each member will be notified of their status for 2016 voting by early November.