Why do MLB Games Start at Odd Times

The start times for MLB games often leave fans puzzled, scheduled at what seem like unconventional times. Let’s explore the strategy behind these odd start times, from accommodating broadcasters to local traffic patterns, and how they affect both the game and its audience.

Background on MLB game start times

So, how did baseball come to have such odd start times? The truth is that outside of postseason and nationally televised games, home teams are given the freedom and authority to choose their own start time. 

First, let’s start with the sponsorships and the money. The 1939 World Series was an intriguing matchup featuring the 3-time defending champion New York Yankees against the Cincinnati Reds, who had not been to a World Series since the infamously scandal-filled 1919 Series. Prior to the series, Gillette Razors paid $100,000 for the exclusive radio broadcast rights. In return, they were given input on scheduling, content, and even the announcers. This started the trend of advertisers having a say in game start times.

To go back in time and hear the first 60 seconds of the broadcast and how the radio announcing team reassured listeners that Gillette’s ads would be short, listen to the opening minute of the radio broadcast of Game 2 of the 1939 World Series:

For the most part, after 1939, games still started on the hour and the half hour. However, with the expansion of television, baseball start times would forever be changed. In 1976, CNN founder Ted Turner purchased the Atlanta Braves and aired their games on his station, WTBS. Turner decided to move the Braves’ start times to 7:05 and 7:35, respectively, to allow for a brief television introduction and an opportunity to air ads before the game starts to avoid interrupting the action.

The reasons behind odd start times

Several factors affect the start time of an MLB game. Below is a list of the most common:

1. Sponsors and Advertising 

Understand that MLB is not a non-profit organization. MLB is very much a for-profit business, as is each franchise and stadium. This is not a bad thing, as all professional sports operate this way. When major brands and companies are willing to pay large amounts of money to advertise with a team, they can and do make sure their commercials air before the game begins, which affects start times.

2. Local and Regional Issues 

Because home teams are allowed to choose their own start times, they sometimes adjust them based on commute times and fan access. For stadiums in large cities without established mass transit (looking at you, Dodger Stadium), game start times are pushed back to accommodate traffic, etc. On a side note, it is also why a Dodger game can be sold out but look empty in the 2nd inning because people are still parking.

3. Pre-game Ceremonies

Prior to each game, MLB plays the national anthem, which has been a formal pre-game ceremony since 1945. In addition to the anthem, teams will have ceremonial first pitches by fans, celebrities, or others, which is a tradition that has been around much longer than the national anthem rule. Lastly, the player introductions and recognition of special individuals in attendance are done before the game can begin. These activities can sometimes last ten or more minutes, so with this in mind, MLB will advertise the first pitch 10 minutes after the hour.

The benefits of odd start times

There are benefits for both teams and fans from starting games at odd times. First, for the teams, the more commercials they can fit in before the game starts, the more revenue they will have. Also, once the NFL begins in the fall, to avoid competing for viewers, MLB will change start times to accommodate people switching channels after football, or other sports have ended for the day.

For fans, odd start times are also based on regional factors that benefit them. For example, the Chicago Cubs play 50+ day games at home each season, which is way more than any other team in baseball. But why? Since Wrigley Field is located in a residential community, the city of Chicago established a contract with the team, allowing them to play up to 30 night games per season because of noise and traffic concerns for the local neighborhood. Stand on the corner of Clark and Addison in Wrigleyville after a game, and you will understand why.

The drawbacks of odd start times

The downside of strange start times is that they can be forced on fans and players without any warning or consent. The later that games are pushed back to odd times, the later the game will be played, which affects everyone. One example of this was in 2006. Convenience store chain 7-Eleven paid the Chicago White Sox half a million dollars a year to start all weeknight home games at 7:11 p.m. for three years. No, that contract was not renewed.

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Conclusion

Whether you are for or against corporate sponsorships in baseball, no one can dispute that the relationship between teams and their fans is so strong that it makes total sense to advertise products and services at the beginning of a game. Next time you look down at your ticket and wonder why the game is starting at 7:09 p.m., remember that the soda, beer, or snack that you are enjoying gets its five minutes in the spotlight before your team takes the field.