Earlier this month the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) announced that this summer four players will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. The players to be inducted are Pedro Martinez, Randy Johnson, John Smoltz and Craig Biggio. However, many people have called for a change in the way players are voted into the Hall. I too think there is a necessity for change.

As the current voting system stands, there are 549 baseball writers who have votes. Most of these writers are beat writers for a specific team or city. Other writers who get votes are well known baseball experts such as Buster Olney. No former players or coaches have votes. Broadcasters who see almost every team play also do not have votes. This is where I and many others would change the voting process.

It really is incomprehensible that former players who played with and against players on the ballot, do not have a say as to whether or not they are Hall of Famers. These former players are the people who really know the players being voted for; they know their work ethic, clubhouse presence, impact on the field and many other key x-factors that separate hall of famers from great baseball players. Coaches should also have a say on who gets into the Hall for all of the reasons former players should. Another group of people who should have the opportunity to vote players into the HOF are living Hall of Famers. Wouldn’t that make sense? Some of the all time greats who are living today such as Hank Aaron, Tom Seaver and countless others should be able to vote players into baseball’s most exclusive club. Another problem that has to be fixed is the amount of people with votes. 549 is way too many people voting. The number should be trimmed to around 300.

Until the way voting works is changed, the BBWAA writers have to take their voting seriously. Baseball is a game with a storied history and we cannot have clowns who own votes casting votes for Troy Percival.