Why Do Baseball Games Start at 05: Unraveling the Mystery of Odd Game Times

Have you ever wondered why baseball games often start at strange times? You might have noticed that games begin at five minutes past the hour, like 1:05 or 7:05, or even at odd times like 7:07 or 7:08. Well, there are two main reasons for these peculiar start times in baseball.

The first reason is to allow time for pregame festivities and the second reason is related to television broadcasts. Let’s dive deeper into these factors and explore why baseball games have such unusual start times.

Pregame festivities are an essential part of baseball games. They include activities like performing national anthems, throwing ceremonial first pitches, player introductions, and recognizing special achievements or fans from the community. These festivities usually take place at the top of the hour before the game starts.

Television broadcasts play a significant role in baseball, and they benefit from these odd start times. For instance, a start time of 7:08 allows the television broadcast to begin at 7:00. This gives broadcasters enough time to introduce the game and show commercials before the first pitch. Starting the game with a commercial break when more viewers are tuning in can be valuable for the broadcasters.

Moreover, starting baseball games at 7:05 or 7:08 can also help accommodate the after-work crowd. Since baseball has many games on weekdays, fans often rush to the stadium after finishing work. By starting the game a few minutes later, at 7:05 or 7:08, it provides extra time for fans to arrive at the stadium and find their seats before the action begins.

It’s important to note that baseball games don’t always start exactly on time. Sometimes, pregame festivities or discussions between umpires and managers can cause slight delays. However, the aim is to start as close to the scheduled time as possible.

Baseball games have also been criticized for their length, with the average game lasting around 3 hours and 4 minutes. Efforts are being made by Major League Baseball to shorten game times and make them more enjoyable for fans.

Additionally, the late start times of baseball games can be attributed to time zone differences. If your favorite team is playing on the West Coast and you’re on the East Coast, the game may start late in your local time, making it challenging for fans to stay up late and watch the entire game.

While other sports like basketball and football tend to have more standardized start times, baseball has its unique scheduling approach. This is partly due to the nature of the game and the various factors involved.

In conclusion, baseball games start at odd times primarily to accommodate pregame festivities, television broadcasts, and the after-work crowd. These factors contribute to the peculiar start times you often see in baseball. So, the next time you watch a baseball game, you’ll have a better understanding of why it begins at such an unusual hour.