Baseball Hall of Fame Voting 2025 Check BBWAA Election Rules and More

Baseball Hall of Fame Voting 2025

Dick Allen and Dave Parker elected to the hall of fame.

Allen and Parker were among the candidates on the Classic Baseball Era Committee Ballot, which featured individuals whose primary contributions to the game occurred before 1980. The eight-person ballot was considered by a 16-member committee during meetings held in Dallas. To be elected to the Hall of Fame, candidates needed to secure at least 75% of the votes (12 of 16 ballots). Parker was named on 14 ballots, and Allen received 13 votes.

Baseball Hall of Fame Voting: Who is Eligible?

Active Period:

The player must have been active in the Major Leagues within a period starting 15 years before and ending 5 years prior to the election.

Ten Seasons Requirement:

The player must have participated in at least 10 Major League championship seasons, with at least part of these seasons falling within the eligibility period outlined above.

Retirement Period:

The player must have been retired from active Major League play for at least five calendar years before the election, though they may still be connected to baseball in other roles.

Special Case – Deceased Players:

If a player dies while active or within the five-year retirement window, they become eligible in the next regular election held at least six months after their death or after the five-year period ends, whichever comes first.
Ineligible List:

Players on Baseball's ineligible list are not eligible for election.

BBWAA Election Method

• Screening Committee Formation:
  • The BBWAA (Baseball Writers' Association of America) appoints a Screening Committee of six members.
  • Members serve three-year terms, with two members elected at each Annual Meeting.
  • Their responsibility is to create a ballot listing eligible candidates in alphabetical order.
• Criteria for Ballot Inclusion:
  • Candidates must either:
    1. Have received at least 5% of votes in the preceding election.
    2. Be eligible for the first time and nominated by any two members of the Screening Committee.
• Elector Voting Process:
  • Electors (voters) can select up to ten candidates they consider worthy of induction.
  • Write-in votes are not allowed.
• Election to the Hall of Fame:
  • A candidate must receive votes on at least 75% of the ballots cast to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.