MLB in April

[Hammer]

For the life of me, I cannot understand why baseball is played in the Northeast in the first two weeks of the season. Put teams out west and in domes as much as possible for the first two weeks and all games that must be played in the cold should be day games. There is nothing less enjoyable than players playing in the cold with ski masks on and there is nothing less enjoyable than fans watching these games. Horrendous planning.

[DMT]

For the life of me, I cannot understand why baseball is played in the Northeast in the first two weeks of the season. Put teams out west and in domes as much as possible for the first two weeks and all games that must be played in the cold should be day games. There is nothing less enjoyable than players playing in the cold with ski masks on and there is nothing less enjoyable than fans watching these games. Horrendous planning.

Totally agree. Went to a Nats game and it was 35°. Having lived in AZ for the past 15 years it felt like -35°.

[[echo]]

re-tractable roof.

problem fixed.

[The Dane]

For the life of me, I cannot understand why baseball is played in the Northeast in the first two weeks of the season. Put teams out west and in domes as much as possible for the first two weeks and all games that must be played in the cold should be day games. There is nothing less enjoyable than players playing in the cold with ski masks on and there is nothing less enjoyable than fans watching these games. Horrendous planning.

Although, I'm certainly in agreement with you, in principle, this would mean that harsh weather teams would have a higher percentage of their home games late in the season. I'm sure there are many people that would see that as an advantage.

If they broke the season into thirds, where in the first third most games are played in warm places and domes, and the second third is played mostly in cold cities, leaving the last third to be more balanced, I suppose they'd be okay with that.

There are probably other reasonable excuses I can't think of right now.

[Ken]

Although, I'm certainly in agreement with you, in principle, this would mean that harsh weather teams would have a higher percentage of their home games late in the season. I'm sure there are many people that would see that as an advantage.

If they broke the season into thirds, where in the first third most games are played in warm places and domes, and the second third is played mostly in cold cities, leaving the last third to be more balanced, I suppose they'd be okay with that.

There are probably other reasonable excuses I can't think of right now.

There's also a monetary factor in play here. Teams prefer as many home games as possible in that second portion - weather is better for baseball, but kids are also out of school. Attendance is higher, so gate $ goes up in the summer.

[Hornsby]

Although, I'm certainly in agreement with you, in principle, this would mean that harsh weather teams would have a higher percentage of their home games late in the season. I'm sure there are many people that would see that as an advantage.

If they broke the season into thirds, where in the first third most games are played in warm places and domes, and the second third is played mostly in cold cities, leaving the last third to be more balanced, I suppose they'd be okay with that.

There are probably other reasonable excuses I can't think of right now.

The main other reason that I've heard is that ALL teams want as many good weather, summer games as possible for the walk up fan traffic. Shockingly, it's about money, who knew?

So MLB has to parcel the games out firly, even though the weather is horrible...looks like we'll get over 10 inches of FUCKING SNOW this weekend in Minneapolis, so the whole weekend may be snowed out.

[Hornsby]

There's also a monetary factor in play here. Teams prefer as many home games as possible in that second portion - weather is better for baseball, but kids are also out of school. Attendance is higher, so gate $ goes up in the summer.

You're just a smidge quicker...LOL.

[BuckyBuckner]

Even in warmer weather states April games, other than opening day, are sparsely attended so those teams don't want to always have to host the Northern state teams, for monetary reasons. So it rotates each season. The Red Sox played the first week in Florida then came up here, but it was still cold. What happened to this global warming thing? Shouldn't it be hot in April by now? maybe Trump fixed it. :kidding:

[Ken]

You're just a smidge quicker...LOL.

Brevity, the soul of wit

[madducks]

The Cubs Monday afternoon home opener against the Pirates was postponed due to 35 degree temperature plus snow & wind. But, on the other side of town the White Sox decided to tough it out. Most of their fans did not share the same enthusiasm. Although attendance was "officially" listed as over 10,000, the actual number of fans at the game was reported to be 974. A ball hawk's dream come true.

[[echo]]

it always amazes me to see people sitting in the middle of no where when its that empty.. walk down to a "good" seat.. no one will care

[joncarlos]

79 and mostly sunny in Pittsburgh today, but the Pirates are on the road.

[[echo]]

love PNC park.. great ticket

[joncarlos]

love PNC park.. great ticket

My favorite. It's a shame because we may not have 10 days better for baseball this summer.

[virgonomic]

it always amazes me to see people sitting in the middle of no where when its that empty.. walk down to a "good" seat.. no one will care

Funny to see empty seats behind the dugout and people sitting 20 rows back.

Also, the vendor on foot was funny. Just sit down and pass the beers down the row.