- Several Major League Baseball (MLB) teams, including the Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers, Minnesota Twins, and Milwaukee Brewers, have extended alcohol sales.
- Traditionally, most MLB teams stopped selling alcohol after the seventh inning to ensure customers would not be overserved before driving home.
- The Brewers and Diamondbacks are the first teams to attempt this solution.
With the implementation of the pitch clock in Major League Baseball (MLB), games have become shorter, meaning fans have less time to enjoy a drink during the game. In response to this, at least four teams have extended alcohol sales through the eighth inning to give fans more time to purchase drinks.
Shorter Games Prompt Extension of Alcohol Sales
The Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers, Minnesota Twins, and Milwaukee Brewers are among the MLB teams that have extended alcohol sales to the eighth inning. The Brewers and Diamondbacks are the first to try this solution. Traditionally, most MLB teams stopped selling alcohol after the seventh inning to ensure customers would not be overserved before driving home. However, many franchises have areas where alcohol could be sold after the seventh inning anyway.
No Regulation from MLB
MLB does not regulate when teams can sell alcohol, leaving it up to individual teams to decide when to stop selling. While most teams have used the seventh inning as a cutoff, the Miami Marlins and New York Mets still have seventh-inning cutoffs.
An Experiment by the Brewers
The Brewers have confirmed that their move to extend alcohol sales through the eighth inning is an experiment. If there are any issues or concerns, the team will revert to their previous cutoff time of the seventh inning. From a time perspective, extending alcohol sales to the eighth inning allows the Brewers to sell beer for the same amount of time as they did last year through the seventh inning.
Impact on Fans and Teams
Extending alcohol sales through the eighth inning will give fans more time to enjoy drinks during the game. It may also lead to increased revenue for teams, as fans have an additional inning to purchase drinks. However, it is important for teams to monitor their fans and ensure they are not overserved, as this can lead to safety concerns and negative publicity.
In conclusion, the extension of alcohol sales to the eighth inning by some MLB teams is a response to the shorter game times resulting from the implementation of the pitch clock. This change gives fans more time to enjoy drinks and may also boost revenue for teams. However, teams must also prioritize fan safety and avoid overserving customers. The experiment by the Brewers and Diamondbacks will be closely watched, and other teams may follow suit if it proves successful.
