Of course, just because the Museum has been open for almost 70 years doesn't mean that the concept of the Hall of Fame has to be an archaic one. More than a decade ago, the Hall developed a Web site to stay connected with the modern baseball fan who uses the Internet to check box scores and read up on baseball news. And now, in partnership with MLB Advanced Media, the Hall has launched a brand new virtual home.

Combining the game's storied history with the modern, interactive Web experience, baseballhall.org is a dream come true for every fan of baseball history.

Catching your attention right off the bat is the new layout of the site. Crisp, classic colors, larger photos and well-blended background graphics provide a sense of depth that makes the visitor feel more immersed in the pages. In addition, an omnipresent header with tabs that link to different sections makes navigating the site an easy task.

One enhancement is the rotating media wall on the homepage. A staple of several top cutting-edge sites on the Web, the media wall provides an overview of some of the features and sections available on the Hall's site. From Ryne Sandberg's nine-inning welcome tour to news on Induction Weekend to a panel promoting the online shop, visitors can get a sense of what's cooking on the Hall's front burners before deciding where to jump in.

Another new feature is the upgraded collection of multimedia clips. Locate the "Sights & Sounds" tab in the header, and you'll be taken to a page that features something for everyone, including video biographies of nearly every member of the Hall of Fame. For those who weren't around to see Ted Williams or Dizzy Dean perform, this video vault is a terrific way to become familiar with some of baseball's giants of earlier eras. In addition, fans will find video clips of some of the game's milestone moments, like when Hammerin' Hank Aaron collected his 3,000th career hit, as well as retrospective photo galleries of the legends of the game.

Of course, many of us head to the Hall's Web site for the same reason we make the trip to Cooperstown; namely, to revel in the accomplishments of the game's greatest players. Check out "The Hall of Famers" tab and you'll find this section has expanded, too. Perhaps most impressive are the individual player pages, which feature bios, stats, photo galleries, video clips and feature stories, all anchored by a postcard-sized version of the Hall of Famer's bronze plaque. Visitors can easily jump to another era with the new search engine, or simply proceed down the line to the next alphabetical Hall of Famer on the list.

Another notable feature is the updated events section of the site. Click on the "Events" tab in the header and you'll be taken to a page with a searchable list of the Hall's upcoming activities. You can scroll down the page to get an overview of all the events, or simply click on a date on the calendar on the right to find out what's on tap at the museum that day. This feature helps you schedule a good time to make a trip to the Hall. And, of course, if you are mulling a visit to Cooperstown in the near future, be sure to check out the "Plan Your Visit" section of the site to find out directions and admission information.

The new site also boasts an expanded shop section with easy to browse indexes. Take a spin through the shop and become immersed in nostalgia, from unique retro caps and jerseys to old-school pennants to yearbooks and DVD sets.

And while you're shopping, don't miss the chance to receive 10% off and free shipping by becoming a Member of the Hall of Fame. In addition to the shop perks, members receive free admission to the museum for an entire year, and get to enjoy a variety of VIP privileges at Hall of Fame Weekend and beyond. Check out the different membership levels available to find out which one is right for you. Your contribution enables the Hall of Fame to carry out its mission as an independent educational institution dedicated to preserving history, honoring excellence and connecting generations.

All in all, users are sure to enjoy the sharp new graphics, updated multimedia offerings and user-friendly features that give the visitor a virtual sense of being in Cooperstown. Whether you're the seasoned baseball fan who has been to the Hall many times over, or the internet savvy youngster with a curiosity about baseball's great past, baseballhalloffame.org is the perfect way to stay connected to Cooperstown the year round.

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.