MLB pitch clock is shortening games and stunting beer sales at stadiums

Thursday, April 13, 2023

MLB pitch clock is shortening games and stunting beer sales

The new MLB pitch clock has shortened game time, but some stadiums are finding the shorter game times are now impacting beer sales.

NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- The new MLB pitch clock has shortened game time, but some stadiums are finding the shorter game times are now impacting beer sales.

Since games are now shorter, that means it gives fans less time to grab a beer at stadiums.

Most franchises, including the Mets and Yankees, use the 7th inning as a cutoff for alcohol sales.

Four teams have now extended sales through the 8th inning.

The Mets are considering changing their policy but no word if the Yankees are looking into it.

At least one team, the Baltimore Orioles, already sold alcohol through the eighth inning, or until 3 1/2 hours after first pitch, whichever came first.

MLB games have been considerably shorter this season, largely thanks to a series of rule changes, particularly the new pitch clock. Through the first 1 1/2 weeks of the season, the average game time was down 31 minutes, on track to be the sport's lowest since 1984.

The minor leagues played with the pitch clock last season. At least one minor league general manager - Kevin Mahoney of the Class A Brooklyn Cyclones - said there was no dropoff in concession sales even with shorter games.

Still, some big league teams have felt the need to make adjustments.

The Rangers allowed some alcohol sales in the eighth inning last season, but have made that option more widely available in 2023. The team said the move to offer in-seat service to everyone - fans can order on their phones - was done partly in reaction to the pitch clock and the potential of shorter game times so fans would not have to miss extended action waiting in lines at concession stands.

Brewers President of business operations Rick Schlesinger confirmed to MLB.com that their team's move to extend alcohol sales through the eighth was an experiment.

"If it turns out that this is causing an issue or we feel that it might cause an issue, then we'll revert to what we have done previously," Schlesinger said.

MLB says it does not regulate when teams sell alcohol. Most franchises have used the seventh inning as a cutoff, at least partly to avoid overserving customers who could then get in their cars and drive home.

But in reality, most teams already had areas around the ballpark where fans could get alcohol after the seventh, even if the concession stands stopped serving. Many parks are connected to restaurants or have VIP areas where the booze still flows.

"If it cuts off sales in the seventh inning, the eighth inning or the ninth inning, that really doesn't affect our stance because regardless, we just don't want people to drink alcohol and then drive home from the game," said Erin Payton, Regional Executive Director for Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.