Baseball, Beer, New Rules, and Robots?

Well, hello again to everyone out there, and I hope all is well out in the world. It’s that time of year again when hope springs eternal concerning Major League Baseball. Every team has a shot at being champions, at least for the first month or so before reality sets in. Sorry Colorado Rockies fans, but it’s the truth.

There is nothing better than going to a ballpark and enjoying a beer and hotdog on a hot summer day. In the past, this idea of enjoying a beer has led to maybe… 3,4,5, or 6 beers, and next thing you know, you have some drunk fans that just come up with some fantastic ideas.

Some examples that have been seen in Major League Baseball parks over the years have made headlines, and they are not a good look. In 2018, at Fenway Park in Boston a fan was ejected from the stadium for throwing a beer at a player. In 2019, Minute Maid Park in Houston, a person was banned from attending games for life after he was caught on video yelling profanities and making obscene gestures toward an opposing team’s pitcher.

Meanwhile, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, a man was charged with assault after he allegedly threw a can of beer at a player. In 2015, a fan at Yankee Stadium in New York was ejected from the game for attempting to jump onto the field while intoxicated.

These are just a few examples of behavior that can occur when fans consume too much alcohol. While it’s important to remember that most fans attend games responsibly and without causing any issues, it only takes a few to disrupt the experience for everyone else.

Because of this disruption, Major League Baseball has taken steps to prevent and address such incidents by implementing measures such as having security personnel in place to monitor fan behavior and intervene when necessary or requiring fans to show ID to purchase alcohol.

However, in 2008, Major League Baseball (MLB) decided to stop selling beer after the 7th inning of games. For some, darkness fell upon the ballparks, and this tyrannical rule just destroyed the game. This decision was made in response to a variety of factors, including safety concerns and the desire to promote responsible drinking. The funny fact is, the examples mentioned above all happened after this rule was put into effect.

Alcohol consumption can impair judgment and coordination, and it can also lead to rowdy behavior. Fans who have had too much to drink can become aggressive, and fights in the stands are not uncommon. By limiting alcohol sales after the 7th inning, MLB hoped to reduce the number of incidents that occur at games.

Another factor in this decision was the desire to promote responsible drinking. While most fans can enjoy a few beers without incident, there are always those who overindulge. By stopping beer sales after the 7th inning, MLB hoped to encourage fans to drink responsibly and avoid excessive alcohol consumption.

Additionally, MLB wanted to create a family-friendly atmosphere at games. Baseball has always been a sport that families can enjoy together, and the league wanted to ensure that games remained a safe and enjoyable experience for all. By limiting alcohol consumption, MLB hoped to create an environment that was welcoming to families and fans of all ages.

While the decision to stop beer sales after the seventh inning was not popular with all fans, it has been largely successful. Incidents of alcohol-related misbehavior at games have decreased, and families and fans of all ages continue to enjoy the experience of attending a baseball game.

It seemed that order was restored to the realm of MLB and that everyone, to some extent, was happy with the changes made, but WAIT! In recent years, there has been growing concern among fans, players, and league officials about the length of games and the need to speed up the action on the field.

The issue of slow play has been a topic of discussion in MLB for many years. As a result, the league has taken various steps to try and address the issue, including implementing new rules and technology to help speed up the game.

One of the most significant changes made by the league was the introduction of a pitch clock in 2019. The pitch clock is designed to limit the time that pitchers and batters can take between pitches, helping to keep the game moving faster. Under the new rule, pitchers must deliver the pitch within 20 seconds of receiving the ball from the catcher, or a ball will be called. Likewise, batters must be in the batter’s box and ready to hit within 20 seconds of the previous pitch being thrown, or a strike will be called.

Another change made by the league was the introduction of a limit on mound visits during a game. Each team is now allowed six trips to the mound during a nine-inning game, with an additional visit allowed for each extra inning. The rule is intended to prevent teams from using frequent mound visits to slow down the game and disrupt the rhythm of play.

The league has also made changes to the way games are broadcast, with a focus on reducing the amount of downtime between innings. In 2020, MLB introduced split-screen commercials, allowing viewers to see both the commercial and the game at the same time. The league has also encouraged broadcasters to reduce the length of in-game promotions and advertisements.

One of the most significant changes made by the league is the introduction of replay review. Replay review allows umpires to look at certain calls on the field to ensure that they are correct. While replay reviews can help to ensure that the correct call is made, it can also add to the length of games. Therefore, in 2020, the league reduced the time allotted for replay reviews from three to two minutes for most reviews.

In addition to these changes, MLB has also explored other ways to speed up the game. Another proposal was introducing a “robot umpire” system, where calls would be made by an automated system rather than a human umpire.

Well, with some of the new rules put into effect, the game is being played at a faster pace. On average, a baseball game is about 30 minutes shorter. This was the desired outcome, but with the decision, some bad results have popped their head up, like that pesky gopher in the Caddyshack movie.

Faster games mean less time to eat hotdogs, nachos, and peanuts, along with drinking soda, and guess what? BEER. The lack of these sales has hit major league parks straight in the catcher’s mitt, and they don’t like this new trend. So the question is, what should we do?

This year, some fans will remember it as the time when the sun was a little bit brighter, and the beer tasted a whole lot better. The 2023 season will be remembered as the year that the 7^th inning beer rule has been repealed.

Some teams have opted to extend alcohol sales through the 8th inning and, in some cases, even longer to make up the revenue loss with the faster games. This move has been met with mixed reactions from fans, but it has certainly sparked a lot of conversation and debate.

On the one hand, some fans argue that extending beer sales beyond the 7th inning creates a more festive atmosphere, especially for those attending night games. On the other hand, they argue that it is a way for fans to enjoy the game while having a few drinks with friends and family. Furthermore, many believe that adults should be allowed to decide when they choose to consume alcohol as long as they do so responsibly.

On the other hand, critics of the decision to extend beer sales argue that it can lead to increased incidents of unruly behavior and violence. Some worry that fans drinking for several hours may become rowdy and disruptive, causing problems for other fans and stadium staff. Additionally, there is concern that extending alcohol sales could make it easier for minors to obtain alcohol, which is already a major issue at sporting events.

While there are valid arguments on both sides of the debate, it is worth noting that not all teams have chosen to extend beer sales to the 8th inning. In fact, only a handful of teams have made this decision thus far, and it remains to be seen whether more teams will follow suit in the future.

In the end, the decision to extend beer sales to the 8th inning is ultimately up to each individual team, and it will likely continue to be a hot topic of discussion among fans and analysts alike. However, regardless of where one falls on the debate, it is important to remember that responsible drinking is key and that the safety and enjoyment of all fans should remain a top priority. So now let’s get out there and PLAY BALL and maybe drink a beer or two.