The Hall of Fame is experiencing a crisis. The current voting procedures are not adequate for the ethical challenges presented by the Steroids Era. Many of the best players in baseball history are receiving 50% of the vote because there is such a wide divergence in interpreting records from the 1990's and early 2000's. This has made a system that was already somewhat flawed a catastrophe for baseball and its fans.

This petition does not endorse a specific set of changes, but it asks that changes--significant changes--be made to the process. These could include changing the voting rules to mirror the MVP format or allow players to stay on the ballot a longer period of time; enlarging the voting body to include respected baseball observers, executives, broadcasters and general fans; or creating a smaller voting "Congress"--whose members are voted in by a wide range of interested parties--who deliberate the issues and then vote for players (with all proceedings recorded for the public).  Put your favorite ideas in the comments below.

All possible options should be put on the table and examined closely. And something should be done. The Hall of Fame and all baseball fans deserve better than the current situations.  Let's send a message that the status quo won't do.

For more information, please read my article at http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/time-to-push-the-reset-button/