Due to shorter game times, thanks to a pitch clock and other rule changes, some Major League Baseball (MLB) teams have extended alcohol sales through the eighth inning to give fans more time to enjoy their beverages.
Four teams have already made the change so far: the Arizona
Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers, Minnesota Twins, and Milwaukee Brewers.
- Historically,
teams have stopped selling alcohol after the seventh inning to avoid
overserving customers who could drive home drunk. Still, most teams
already had areas around the ballpark where fans could get alcohol after
the seventh inning.
- The Baltimore Orioles already sold alcohol
through the eighth inning or until 3.5 hours after the first pitch,
whichever came first.
- The pitch clock has helped shorten MLB
game times, with the average game time down 31 minutes in the first 1.5
weeks of the season, on track to be the sport's lowest since 1984.
- The
minor leagues played with the pitch clock last season, and at least one
minor league general manager reported no dropoff in concession sales
even with shorter games.
- The Rangers have made alcohol sales in
the eighth inning more widely available in 2023 by offering in-seat
service to everyone - fans can order on their phones - to avoid lines at
concession stands.
- MLB says it does not regulate when teams sell alcohol, and the decision is left to individual teams.
