MLB Twitter reacts to Milwaukee Brewers now selling beer through the eighth inning due to shorter game times: "Every team should make this change"
The Milwaukee Brewers are now allowing beer sales through the eighth inning due to games being drastically shortened by the new MLB pitch clock.
The team began the change during the last two games of the season-opening series against the New York Mets and will reportedly continue to do so barring an increase in unruly fan behavior.
The Milwaukee Brewers are now selling beer through the end of the 8th inning since games have been shortened by the pitch clock, per @AdamMcCalvy https://t.co/vy105HMoqt
Regarding the policy change, Milwaukee Brewers president of business operations Rick Schlesinger told MLB.com:
"Obviously, the safety and the conduct of our fans has primacy. We've had no issues, but it's a small sample size and we're going to continue to test it and see if it makes sense. I know a number of other teams are doing the same thing."
Through April 7, Sports Illustrated reported that the average MLB game time in 2023 was down from three hours, three minutes to two hours, 38 minutes. Less game time means less beer sales, which is a staple concession throughout the league. As Schlesinger told MLB.com:
"This is [reflective] of the fact that the games are shorter. From a time perspective, we're probably looking at selling beer for the same amount of time by extending to the eighth inning that we did last year through the seventh."
@TalkinBaseball_ @AdamMcCalvy A side effect of these shorter games is less concession sales. This was an inevitable response.
@TalkinBaseball_ @AdamMcCalvy I’m surprised this wasn’t discussed more prior to the season. Pitch clock will def have an impact on live gate for concessions + total revenue for owners.
@TalkinBaseball_ @AdamMcCalvy Been waiting for a team to make the first move.
Game times are down 16% YOY. That’s a lot of time (and revenue) lost at the concession stand.
There is no stated MLB rule regarding when teams must shut off beer sales. Like the majority of the league, the Milwaukee Brewers closed the taps at the end of the seventh inning.
Their closest rival, the Chicago Cubs, have had a policy of ending beer sales in the bottom of the seventh or 10:30 p.m. for night games, but have sold beer through the eighth inning for day games.
Fans of the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros are able to buy their beer throughout all nine innings.
@TalkinBaseball_ @AdamMcCalvy every team should make this change
@TalkinBaseball_ @AdamMcCalvy I think the Texas Rangers are selling through the 9th Inning. Not sure what any of the other franchises have done.
@TalkinBaseball_ @AdamMcCalvy I was at an NPB game in 2019 at Yokohama, they sell beer throughout the game, you can even buy one on the way out after the game is over
The Milwaukee Brewers, of course, are drawing the ire of some fans for extending sales for another inning. It's not the pitch clock that matters, it's the drive home after the final pitch that is concerning. However, it's not likely that fans were able to sober up much under the old policy anyhow.
@TalkinBaseball_ @AdamMcCalvy Selling beer for longer during a shorter game is just asking for trouble
@TalkinBaseball_ @AdamMcCalvy The Milwaukee Brewers have announced that now that the innings are shorter, they will be selling alcohol later in the game because there’s now less time between when they stop selling alcohol and when people have to drive home. I don’t think the understood why the rule was there.
@TalkinBaseball_ @AdamMcCalvy thank god, now with the quicker innings our blessed drunk drivers will get to be even more drunk on the way home
It's not surprising that the Brewers are making headlines for changing their policy. After all, the team is named after the makers of baseball fans' favorite ballpark refreshment.
@TalkinBaseball_ @JomboyMedia @AdamMcCalvy This is the most Wisconsin story ever. They need something to numb the pain of an empty trophy case.
More MLB teams likely to follow Milwaukee Brewers' lead
Beer sales are much more liberal in other professional leagues outside the United States. Given the amount of money that ball clubs are losing with games being a half-hour shorter this season, it's a good bet that more teams will be following the Milwaukee Brewers' lead before long.