Why Do Baseball Games Start At Odd Times?

Why do baseball games start at odd times? It’s a question that has puzzled baseball fans for years. There are a few theories out there, but the most likely explanation is that it’s just a quirk of the schedule.

The History of Starting Times for Baseball Games

According to baseball lore, the first major league game was played at 1 p.m. on a Wednesday afternoon in Pittsburgh in 1876. The game started so late in the day because the players had to work their day jobs before they could play. Over the years, the start times for baseball games have varied depending on the needs of the team and the fans.

Early history

Why do baseball games start at strange times like 1:05 or 7:05? The answer involves a little bit of baseball history and a lot of marketing.

Baseball has been around for a long time, and for much of that time, game start times were pretty flexible. That started to change in the late 1800s, when more and more fans were using public transportation to get to games. To make sure people could get to the ballpark on time, cities started setting official start times for games.

Most early start times were in the afternoon, because that’s when people were free from work and could take the trolley or train to the game. But as TV became more popular in the 1950s, MLB realized it could reach a bigger audience by starting games in the evening. That way, people who couldn’t make it to the ballpark could still watch on TV.

MLB didn’t want its games going head-to-head with TV shows that had already built up a following, so it worked with networks to schedule start times that would minimize competition. That’s why you’ll often see game start times like 1:05 or 7:05 — networks know those are good times to air baseball without going up against too many other programs.

The effects of television

In the 1950s, Major League Baseball began televising games on a regular basis. This had a profound effect on start times, as games were now being played at times that would be most convenient for television viewers. This meant that many games were now starting in the evening, which was a departure from the traditional afternoon start time.

TV also had another effect on start times: different games were now being played at different times, depending on which part of the country they were being televised in. This was done in order to maximize viewership by making sure that games were being played at times when people in different time zones would be able to watch them.

As a result of all these changes, baseball games started becoming less uniform in their start times. It became more common for there to be multiple games starting at different times throughout the day, rather than all games starting at the same time. And while afternoon start times still existed, they became less common as the years went on.

Why do Baseball Games Start At Odd Times Now?

The current system of having baseball games start at odd times is a remnant of a time when baseball was the only game in town. Fans would come to the ballpark whenever the game was scheduled, and it didn’t matter if it was 1 PM or 10 PM. But now, with so many other things to do and so many other games to watch, baseball has to start at times that are convenient for fans if they want to fill the stands.

To maximize television viewership

In order to maximize television viewership, baseball games now start at odd times. This ensures that more people will be able to watch the game on television, as opposed to attending the game in person. Starting times are now based on market demand and local ratings, rather than on tradition.

To allow for day-night doubleheaders

The reasoning behind the current start times for Major League Baseball games is two-fold. The first is television. By starting games at 7:05 or later, networks can show them in prime time on the East Coast and in the late afternoon/early evening on the West Coast. This increases viewership and, in turn, revenues.

The second reason has to do with the day-night doubleheader. In order to fit two games into one day, they must be scheduled back-to-back with a certain amount of time in between to allow for stadium preparation (e.g., converting from daytime lighting to nighttime lighting). By staggering the start times of games, there is less of a chance that two teams will have day-night doubleheaders on the same day.

So while the current start times may be odd, they are based on practical considerations that benefit both Major League Baseball and its fans.

The Different Starting Times for Baseball Games

If you’ve ever wondered why baseball games start at such odd times, you’re not alone. The truth is, there is no one answer to this question. The starting time for a baseball game is typically dependent on a number of factors, including the day of the week, the teams playing, and the location of the game.

Early games

The first game of the day starts at 1:05 p.m. This is because most people are working during the day and couldn’t come to the game if it started any earlier. It also gives the grounds crew time to get the field ready and to set up all the promotional activities that happen before the game.

The next game start time is 4:05 p.m. or 4:10 p.m. These late afternoon games are meant for people who got out of work at a reasonable time and still want to go to the game. It’s also a good time for families with young children because they can go to the game after school or daycare.

The last games of the day start at 7:05 p.m. or 7:15 p.m. These evening games are for people who couldn’t make it to an afternoon game and don’t want to miss out on baseball entirely.

Late games

TV broadcasts have also played a role in pushing start times later. In 1976, 25 percent of games started before 6 p.m. By 2004, that figure had dropped to 8 percent. In 2010, it was 3 percent.

The average length of a nine-inning game has increased steadily since the 1970s, from 2 hours 8 minutes in 1976 to 2 hours 33 minutes in 2018. That’s an increase of 25 minutes, or about 12 percent.

The changes to the game — more pitches and more time between innings for commercials — are the main reasons why games take longer. (An exception is this year, when the average game time is down four minutes because of a rule change designed to speed up the game.)

The effects of TV can be seen in the timing of innings: The average length of an inning has increased steadily since 1974, when it was just under three minutes. By 2007, it had increased to 3 minutes 7 seconds.

The Pros and Cons of Different Starting Times for Baseball Games

Baseball games have a long history of starting at odd times, like 7:05 or 8:15. There are a few reasons for this. One reason is that most baseball games are played in the evening, so starting the game at a later time allows more people to attend the game. Another reason is that starting the game at an odd time can help the home team’s attendance.

Early games

An early game time means that less people are available to attend the game. Families with young children may have to miss the game because it ends too late at night.
On the other hand, an early game time can be a great opportunity for seniors and retired persons to attend a game. It is also cooler in the stadium, which can be a relief during hot summer days.

Late games

Many people believe that baseball should be played in the afternoon, when the weather is the warmest and there is more sunlight. Others believe that late games are more exciting because the fans are more into the game and there is a more festive atmosphere. Whatever your opinion, late games do have some advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages:
– Late games are often more exciting because the fans are more into the game.
– There is a more festive atmosphere at late games.
– Late games give fans who work during the day a chance to see a game.

Disadvantages:
– Late games can be too hot for players and fans alike.
– It can be difficult to get to a late game if you live far from the stadium.
-Late games can interfere with evening plans such as dinner or going out with friends.