Weeknight game times too late?

[rickh150]

I have noticed over the past two or three years that Miller Park is emptying out around 9:30, regardless of score. Not that this hasn't happened before, I believe it is happening at a higher volume. People have to work the next day, get there kids to bed, etc.... all good reasons.

 

I was at the post Memorial game against the Orioles. This game saw dramatic shifts from the Brewers getting out to a 5-0 lead, to blowing the lead, to tieing the game on a bad throw in the 9th, to winning the game on Yo's 10th inning double. Wow! However, there was only about 1/2 of the people at the end of the game. What a shame!

 

I believe most Brewers fans would welcome a change in start times for weeknight games. Move it back a half hour. This would allow most fans to see about the entire game at a decent hour. Not to mention, many fans drive long distances and don't return home until around 11 to 12 at night. Plus, many watch Brewers games and can't see the ending of games for similar reasons (work, kids to bed).

 

6:40 looks much better to me and most, I would have to believe.

[chadomac]

Yeah, I'm about to live right next to Miller Park - but until now I just want to be home by 10ish so I can unwind before work the next day. I would love a 6:15 or 6:30 start.

[RightFieldCoder]

I would hate to start that early. It is hard to leave work at 5, come home to change, eat at home or pick up fast food, fight traffic, and get to a 7pm game. Find a way to make games take less than 3.5 hours.

[lcbj68c]

Find a way to make games take less than 3.5 hours.

 

That's a bit dramatic. Average game times (in 2013) were 2:58.

 

I too have noticed these later start times. I think Arizona is starting at 7:40 local time later this year. I would love a 6:30pm start time. If work interference doesn't allow a person to make a night game...a weekend night game might be a better personal choice. In line with that, I wish Saturday games were day games as well.

[bucks2281]

Didn't the Brewers try this in 2003 or 2004? I think it only lasted

a couple seasons.

[folly412]

I'd imagine television drives it more than anything. More eyes on the set for a 7 PM start after dinner and the 6:00 news? Don't know. But being in EST, I'd be all for earlier starts since home games often go past my bedtime.

[BrewersSuperCollector]

Find a way to make games take less than 3.5 hours.

 

That's a bit dramatic. Average game times (in 2013) were 2:58.

 

 

Where did you find this info. I did a quick search and couldn't find it.

 

When Gallardo and Garza pitch the game times are well over 3 hours it seems.

 

I am one that leaves early also. The games just last too long when I have work the next day.

 

Can anyone imagine how long Brewers games would take if RR managed the bullpen like LaRussa.

[owbc]

By almost all metrics, 2014 has the slowest pace of play in MLB history. The game is somewhere around 15-20% slower/more boring than 10 years ago (especially if you look at time per ball in play). Games are 20 minutes longer than 2004 even though offense has decreased significantly.

 

One of the biggest problems is the endless relief pitching matchup chess match that starts in about the 7th inning. Baseball is like the NBA now, the pace slows down dramatically at the end--except instead of endless timeouts, it's endless calls to the bullpen. The closer the game, the worse it is. The scary part is that some are calling for a 26-man roster so there can be yet another relief-specialist to get shuffled in every other game.

 

Another stat I read (sorry can't find the source) is that offense from the seventh inning onward is lower than the worst overall average of the deadball era. So the odds of a late-inning comeback are lower than ever.

 

I don't know what the solution to the problem is, but moving the game time isn't going to matter. People get bored when there are so many pitching changes and no offense. I don't blame them--it bores me as well.

[JohnBriggs12]

Brewers' need fans from beyond the immediate area. Starting earlier makes it tough on fans driving distances to get in the park. It also would condense arrival times making for slower entry into the parking lots.

 

Back in the days of the Milwaukee Braves, they actually started night games at 8 pm. Early days of Brewers, for many years they started at 7:30. In the days of doubleheaders, they started first game at 6. The second games started usually around 9. If you can't stay at least until 10:30, think about going to afternoon games or taking a nap before the game.

[trwi7]

Brewers' need fans from beyond the immediate area. Starting earlier makes it tough on fans driving distances to get in the park. It also would condense arrival times making for slower entry into the parking lots.

 

My thoughts as well. It's not exactly easy for a 9 to 5 worker from Madison or Oshkosh to get to Miller Park for a game starting at 6:30.

 

I don't think fans leaving early on weekdays if the game goes late is a phenomenon only for the Brewers and starting the games earlier isn't going to solve anything.

[sveumrules]

Length of the games is not, or rather should not, be an issue. Football is king, right? Their games averauge 3 hours 12 minutes with only 11 minutes of actual on field action. The rest is standing around and commercials.

[JimH5]

I haven't been there for the last out in years. Part of it is to avoid the end of game traffic, and part of it is because I'm ready to go at 9:30--and on a school night, we're lucky to make it until 8:30.

 

If they want me there for the end, they can figure out a way to speed up the pace or start earlier.

[502 to Right]

Length of the games is not, or rather should not, be an issue. Football is king, right? Their games averauge 3 hours 12 minutes with only 11 minutes of actual on field action. The rest is standing around and commercials.

 

 

They play once a week. Big difference.

[AZBrewCrew]

The Diamondbacks have done one thing right in my eyes and that is 640 starts. It can be a liytle sketchy getting to the ballpark at the tail end of rush hour but the games are over by 930-945 at the latest generally and I can be home a little after 10 (well 1030 now since I moved out to the sticks).

[lcbj68c]

Find a way to make games take less than 3.5 hours.

 

That's a bit dramatic. Average game times (in 2013) were 2:58.

 

 

Where did you find this info. I did a quick search and couldn't find it.

 

http://www.businessinsider.com/mlb-games-length-instant-replay-system-2014-4.

[Pugger]

At least games in Milw start at 7. In the eastern time zones games start at 8 and don't get done until almost 11 PM.

[sveumrules]

Length of the games is not, or rather should not, be an issue. Football is king, right? Their games averauge 3 hours 12 minutes with only 11 minutes of actual on field action. The rest is standing around and commercials.

 

 

They play once a week. Big difference.

 

Each team plays once a week, sure. Hardcore football fans watch three games Sunday, one Monday night and one Thursday night so the total number of games consumed on a weekly basis isn't all that different. Plus no one ever complains about there just being too many baseball games, they always complain about how long and/or slow they are. My point is football games are longer, slower and more popular. Maybe baseball needs to ramp up the violence?

[NeedMoreFans]

At least games in Milw start at 7. In the eastern time zones games start at 8 and don't get done until almost 11 PM.

 

No, most start at 7:00 local time, even in the eastern time zone. That's why you see night games vs. Pittsburgh, Cincy, etc... start at 6:00 here.

[Bombers]

I agree with starting them slightly earlier. Even a half hour bump to 640 (as suggested) would be nice. I am sure there is an issue with the TV deal which doesn't give the Brewers much flexibility as you would think.

[logan82]

Length of the games is not, or rather should not, be an issue. Football is king, right? Their games averauge 3 hours 12 minutes with only 11 minutes of actual on field action. The rest is standing around and commercials.

 

 

They play once a week. Big difference.

 

Each team plays once a week, sure. Hardcore football fans watch three games Sunday, one Monday night and one Thursday night so the total number of games consumed on a weekly basis isn't all that different. Plus no one ever complains about there just being too many baseball games, they always complain about how long and/or slow they are. My point is football games are longer, slower and more popular. Maybe baseball needs to ramp up the violence?

The total number of games may be similar but football generally happens when people have spare time over the weekend. Staying up late for a Thursday night game and struggling through one day is way different from staying up Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday then struggling through the next day.

 

They just need to enforce rules already in place to speed up the games. I would love the games to start at 6:30 and be over by 9 at the latest.

[sveumrules]

If you watch football all day Sunday, you are going to work tired on Monday. If you watch Monday and Thursday night, you are going to work tired Tuesday and Friday. That's three compromised work days.

 

If you watch your favorite baseball team play Sunday afternoon you go to work fine on Monday. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday night games give you three compromised work days Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Thursday is normally a getaway day game and then you're back to the weekend so if you are a fan of both sports you're going into work tired essentially the same number of days.

[Pugger]

At least games in Milw start at 7. In the eastern time zones games start at 8 and don't get done until almost 11 PM.

 

No, most start at 7:00 local time, even in the eastern time zone. That's why you see night games vs. Pittsburgh, Cincy, etc... start at 6:00 here.

 

But its the opposite for me in FL. If a game in Milw starts at 7 PM it doesn't start in the eastern time zone until 8 local time.

[adamb100]

I have a huge problem with west coast games. Those games start at like 8pm pacific time and dont end til 1-3 in the morning.

[Warning Track Power]

I have a huge problem with west coast games. Those games start at like 8pm pacific time and dont end til 1-3 in the morning.

The Giants have the latest start time and that is at 715. I understand your point but the Brewers games out here start at 4 when they are at any team in the eastern time zone, meaning we miss half of the game by the time we get home.

 

We are jealous of you in the central time zone for NFL though for sure. 12pm, 3PM & 730PM starting times beat 10AM, 1PM and 530PM any day of the week.

[pitchleague]

No, no, no, those NFL times here in Arizona/Pacific Time Zone absolutely ROCK! I love getting up on Sunday morning and the pregame shows are already on in full force. The first games are over by early afternoon and the late games are done well before supper time. I can still do something with my day!