COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (WKTV) - Current Major League Baseball players may not be coming to Cooperstown anymore for the Hall of Fame Game, but starting next year, former players will. The Hall announced on Monday the Hall of Fame Game is becoming the Hall of Fame Classic, which will feature a mix of Hall of Famers and retired players.

The change comes as a result of MLB discontinuing its participation in the Hall of Fame Game, which started in 1940, due to increasing scheduling issues. The new event will take place annually on Fathers Day beginning next summer.

To make the Classic happen, the Hall of Fame joined forces with the MLB Players Alumni Association, whose president, Brooks Robinson, is a Hall of Famer. Robinson says the MLBPAA puts on similar legends games a few times a year across the country, and it's a very interactive and fan-friendly event. Along with the game there are free autograph sessions throughout the day, a hitting contest amongst the players, skills clinics for children, and in the Classic's case, since it's on Fathers Day, fathers and sons will be able to play catch on Doubleday Field.

For the inaugural game, the roster will consist of about 30 yet-to-be-named veterans, including four Hall of Famers. Invitations have already started going out, and confirmations should be announced early next year. Robinson said because of Cooperstown's location, an emphasis is being put on inviting players with New York and Boston ties.

In addition to supporting fans' desire for a star attraction, the Classic will also continue to support the local economy. The Hall of Fame Game brought in hundreds of thousands of tourism dollars to the region, and local officials expect the new event will generate just as much revenue.