Baseball is one of the most iconic sports in the United States, and Major League Baseball (MLB) is the highest level of professional baseball. Watching a game is a great way to spend a summer evening, but it may come as a surprise that MLB games do not typically start on the hour. There are several reasons why the start times of baseball games are typically not on the hour, ranging from financial incentives to the structure of the game.
The Financial Aspect of MLB Games
One of the main reasons why MLB games do not start on the hour is for financial reasons. MLB games typically last for three to four hours, and most of the game’s commercial breaks happen during the middle innings. This means that television networks can sell more advertising space if the games start at different times.
For example, if all the games started at 7:00 PM, the third inning would typically end around 8:45 PM. This would mean that most of the game’s commercial breaks would occur after 9:00 PM, which is when many viewers start to go to bed. By having games start at different times, it means that the commercial breaks can be spread out throughout the evening, which allows the networks to sell more advertising space.
The Structure of the Game
Another reason why MLB games do not start on the hour is because of the structure of the game. Baseball is a unique sport in that there is no set length of time for each game. This means that teams can play for as long as they need to in order to reach a decision.
This means that teams have to plan for each game to potentially take several hours. This means that if all games started on the hour, teams would have to play at least until the hour was up in order to reach a decision. This would mean that many games would end late in the evening, which would not be ideal for teams, players, or fans.
The National Anthem
At the start of every MLB game, the teams take a moment to honor America by playing the national anthem. This is a long-standing tradition in baseball, and it is an important part of the game. As such, teams want to make sure that they have enough time to properly pay their respects.
This means that teams will typically start the game a few minutes before the hour in order to give themselves enough time to play the anthem without feeling rushed. This is one of the main reasons why MLB games do not start on the hour.
The Timing of the First Pitch
Another reason why MLB games do not start on the hour is because of the timing of the first pitch. Before the start of the game, the teams take part in a number of pre-game ceremonies, such as the presentation of the colors, the singing of the national anthem, and the ceremonial first pitch.
These ceremonies typically take several minutes, and teams want to make sure that they have enough time to properly honor these ceremonies. This means that teams will typically start the game a few minutes before the hour in order to give themselves enough time to properly honor these ceremonies.
The Length of the Innings
Another reason why MLB games do not start on the hour is because of the length of the innings. Baseball is a game of strategy and tactics, and teams will use these strategies to their advantage. This means that teams may take longer to complete an inning if they are trying to set up a specific play.
This means that teams will typically start the game a few minutes before the hour in order to give themselves enough time to complete the inning without feeling rushed. This is one of the main reasons why MLB games do not start on the hour.
The Pace of Play
Another factor that affects the start times of MLB games is the pace of play. Baseball is a game of strategy and tactics, and teams will typically try to slow down the pace of play in order to give themselves more time to think. This means that teams will typically start the game a few minutes before the hour in order to give themselves enough time to complete the inning without feeling rushed.
The Weather
Weather is another factor that can affect the start times of MLB games. Baseball is a game that is typically played outdoors, and weather can play a major role in the game. For example, if it is raining before the game, teams may decide to start the game a few minutes before the hour in order to give themselves enough time to prepare for the rain delay.
The Length of the Pre-Game Ceremonies
As mentioned earlier, before the start of the game, the teams take part in a number of pre-game ceremonies, such as the presentation of the colors, the singing of the national anthem, and the ceremonial first pitch. These ceremonies typically take several minutes, and teams want to make sure that they have enough time to properly honor these ceremonies.
This means that teams will typically start the game a few minutes before the hour in order to give themselves enough time to properly honor these ceremonies. This is one of the main reasons why MLB games do not start on the hour.
The Number of Games in a Series
The number of games in a series can also affect the start times of MLB games. If the teams are playing a three-game series, they may decide to start the first game a few minutes before the hour in order to give themselves enough time to complete the series without feeling rushed.
Conclusion
Overall, there are several reasons why MLB games do not start on the hour. These include financial incentives, the structure of the game, the national anthem, the timing of the first pitch, the length of the innings, the pace of play, the weather, the length of the pre-game ceremonies, and the number of games in a series. By understanding these reasons, it is easier to understand why MLB games do not typically start on the hour.