The many thousands of Derek Jeter fans who were planning to attend this summer's induction ceremonies in Cooperstown got some bitter news heading into a weekend for sweethearts: No fans will be allowed.

The Baseball Hall of Fame announced plans Friday to alter this year's ceremony, which was already delayed a full year from last summer because of the coronavirus outbreak. With a new record crowd expected to overwhelm the spacious grounds of the Clark Sports Center, this year's inductions are being moved indoors for a live television broadcast. Even with induction weekend still more than five months away, a Hall of Fame spokesman said the decision couldn't wait.

"It might seem a little early, but what we're hoping to do is give people as much time as possible to adjust their planning," said the Hall's Vice President of Communications, Jon Shestakofsky. "That goes for the fans that made an investment to potentially be joining us this summer, but also to the local storefronts in Cooperstown. The decision was made, and it didn't make much sense for us not to share this so everyone can adjust their plans accordingly, as soon as possible."

What You Need To Know

  • The Baseball Hall of Fame announced Friday this year's induction ceremonies will be moved indoors and broadcast on live television due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns

  • Five of the past six inductions have drawn more than 50,000 fans to the outdoor induction ceremony site at the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown

  • Yankee legend Derek Jeter headlines this year's class, which was elected last year before the 2020 Induction Weekend was postponed to July 2021 because of the outbreak

  • This summer's inductions are scheduled to be held on Sunday, July 25

Five of the past six ceremonies have drawn crowds in excess of 50,000, and because of Jeter's popularity, and fellow inductee Larry Walker's roots with the Utica Blue Sox, getting a handle on this summer's throng, particularly following COVID guidelines and safety protocols, seemed unrealistic. Add in the fact that last summer, there was no ceremony for the first time since 1960, and the interest would have been even greater even for the casual fan.

Jeter, Walker, and the rest of this year's induction class were all part of the dialogue during this process, according to Shestakofsky, and he adds all have been supportive of the Board of Directors decisions. He says there were many different options that were discussed, but the one option that was quickly taken off the table was to delay inductions for another year to 2022.

"Our Board of Directors really felt strongly going three years between a ceremony wasn't the best thing for the game," Shestakofsky said in a Zoom interview Friday. "Even missing one year last year was really tough for us and the baseball schedule, so the determination was made, 'let's go with it, it'll be on TV and every fan can watch it.' "

Shestakofsky points out that baseball fans can still come visit the Baseball Hall of Fame, where Jeter's and Walker's new plaques will be hung and available for public viewing on July 27. He also promises a "case of artifacts" from Jeter's past, outlining his growth from his days as a high school player in Michigan to his final season with the New York Yankees.

But, the best news of all is that the Hall of Fame is not planning to make this television-only ceremony a habit. And, hopefully, by the summer of 2022, tens of thousands of fans can resume their annual tradition of flocking to the picturesque hometown of the national pastime.

"We're not looking at this television event as something to carry forward," Shestakofsky said. "We'll hope to get back to our normal routine next summer, in July of '22."