MLB's shorter games mean less time to drink alcohol

The times are changing for major league baseball. With the new rules being put into place for the 2023 season, the average MLB game is being cut down by 30 minutes. Since games are shorter this season, some teams have taken it upon themselves to extend the sale of alcohol until the end of the 8th inning.

Why extend alcohol sales?

Traditionally, MLB teams would stop selling alcohol after the 7th inning. With the rules changing and the total play time down by 30 minutes, teams are not making as much money in alcohol sales as they have in previous years. Some teams have taken it upon themselves to extend alcohol sales until the end of the eighth inning. Those teams include the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Texas Rangers, the Minnesota Twins, and the Milwaukee Brewers. The MLB itself doesn’t control when teams can start and stop selling alcohol; it is up to the team itself. You may ask, "If it is up to the team, why wouldn’t they sell alcohol until the end of the game?

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/major-league-baseball-teams-extend-beer-sales-into-eighth-inning-in-reaction-to-shorter-games/

Why don’t they serve alcohol until the end of the game?

At most sporting events you go to, you'll notice they stop serving alcohol at a certain point throughout the game. It is because they want to give their fans time to sober up so they can leave the stadium safely, whether that be driving, using public transportation, walking, or however fans decide to leave. When you think about it, it makes sense. Teams have an obligation to protect their fans and not overserve them. Now that teams are extending it until the end of the 8th inning, some concerns for fan safety have appeared, with some players stating their opinion.

Players Speak up

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Matt Strahm voiced his frustration with teams extending the season. Strahm states "The reason we stopped selling alcohol in the seventh was to give our fans time to sober up and drive home safely". He also went on to say, "Instead, we're going into the eighth, and now you're putting our fans and family at risk by driving home with people who drank beers 22 minutes ago". It is hard to disagree with Strahm. Why risk the safety of your fans to sell beer for another inning? I think more players should speak on this to understand how they feel about alcohol sales. Should the time limit on beer sales be controlled by the MLB and not individual teams? Is fan safety worth the extra money that the teams will get from selling beer into the 8th? Where do we draw the line on beer sales?

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/36177129/phillies-matt-strahm-disagrees-mlb-teams-extending-alcohol-sales