Bowling Green Hot Rods Release Hall of Fame Ballot
The organization begins the selection process for its 2027 Hall of Fame class following a 2026 induction cycle.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Baseball
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The Bowling Green Hot Rods have officially released the ballot for the 2027 Hall of Fame class. Fans and media members must submit their votes by November 13, 2026, to determine who joins the six current members.
Why it matters
This annual process honors the professional baseball history established in Bowling Green since 2009. The organization maintains a high bar for induction, requiring a 75% vote threshold for any candidate to be enshrined.
To be eligible, nominees must have played at least 50 games as position players, 10 games as relief pitchers, or 5 games as starting pitchers. A 75% vote threshold is required for induction, with candidates removed if they receive zero votes.
The players
Bowling Green Hot Rods
This Minor League Baseball team is based in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and serves as an affiliate for the Tampa Bay Rays.
Matt Moore
He was one of the first two inductees into the Bowling Green Hot Rods Hall of Fame in 2018.
Kevin Kiermaier
He is a professional baseball outfielder who was selected as an inaugural member of the Hot Rods Hall of Fame in 2018.
Blake Snell
A professional pitcher and former Hot Rods player, he was inducted into the organization Hall of Fame in 2019.
Shane McClanahan
He is an MLB pitcher who was among the three players inducted into the Bowling Green Hall of Fame in 2026.
The details
The Hot Rods require candidates to have achieved All-Star status or appeared in an MLB game to be eligible for consideration. The ballot selection is the next phase in a history that has seen 134 former Hot Rods players, coaches, and broadcasters reach the major leagues.
Timeline
2009: Baseball history begins being tracked in Bowling Green.
2018: Inaugural Hot Rods Hall of Fame voting occurs.
2019: Blake Snell is inducted into the Hall of Fame.
2026: Brandon Lowe, Jake Cronenworth, and Shane McClanahan are inducted.
November 13, 2026: Fan and media voting closes.
Season Trajectory
The 2027 ballot release builds on the precedent set by the 2026 induction of Brandon Lowe, Jake Cronenworth, and Shane McClanahan. This selection process defines the franchise's historical legacy and impacts how future talent is evaluated for organizational recognition.
Eligible voters must participate by the November 13 deadline to influence which of the 134 MLB-bound alumni are considered for the class of 2027. Candidates failing to secure any votes during this cycle will be removed from future consideration.
The takeaway
The Hot Rods Hall of Fame preserves the history of players who moved from Bowling Green to the major leagues. Voters play a direct role in shaping the legacy of a franchise that has tracked professional development since 2009.
What happens next
Fans and media must submit their votes for the 2027 class by November 13, 2026, with an induction announcement expected before April 2, 2027.
Further reading
For more information on team news, visit the Bowling Green section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WNKY News 40 Television.
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