Why is the season starting so early

[Greenpastures23]

March 28 is..... something 

[dystopia]

March 29 after they move it for rain on Thursday. 

[Spy Fox]

I think they started this last-Thursday-in-March model a few years back, though it had a couple disruptions with covid and the lockout.

I assume mainly to prevent the World Series from extending too late, but without reducing off-days. 

[Frobby]

It’s the result of the players negotiating for more days off during the season in the previous CBA negotiation (not the 2022 one).   The O’s also had a March 28 opening day in 2019.   

[Tony-OH]

While Spring training games get real boring towards the end, I'm not a fan of this late March opening. I mean, the weather is not that much nicer in early April, but April just feel right for the start of baseball. 

[Aglets]

*pushes glasses up*

well technically the season started on March 20th. 

 

I'm with you in general though that March does seem too early.  I don't want the WS creeping into November either though.  Probably the easiest answer would be to reduce the number of games in the regular season.............but is there any chance the owners would go for that?    Seems pretty unlikely to me.

[Mooreisbetter27]

I want baseball early and always.  Especially after how last year ended.  I am happy we will see baseball in a few days.  Inject it right into my veins.  

[Just Regular]

So we can see Yoshinobu Yamamoto with a better fWAR than a couple relievers whose ERA's are 45.00 better than his.

[Orioles West]

If there was a way to have MLB year round, I’d be all for it. 

That said, I imagine because the post-season expanded on the back end, they are starting the season earlier to avoid the World Series drifting farther into November.

[Satyr3206]

Start playing Doubleheaders again and it solves the problem.

[waroriole]

1 hour ago, Aglets said:

*pushes glasses up*

well technically the season started on March 20th. 

 

I'm with you in general though that March does seem too early.  I don't want the WS creeping into November either though.  Probably the easiest answer would be to reduce the number of games in the regular season.............but is there any chance the owners would go for that?    Seems pretty unlikely to me.

It would be cool if every team opened up with a series in a foreign country. 

[LookinUp]

Maryland high schools have been playing already. The weather sucks, but it's better than not having baseball.

[eddie83]

2 hours ago, Frobby said:

It’s the result of the players negotiating for more days off during the season in the previous CBA negotiation (not the 2022 one).   The O’s also had a March 28 opening day in 2019.   

Yep. The union had 4 more off days added to the calendar. 

[jabba72]

It wouldn't be much of an issue if they opened March 28th in all warm-weather cities. Baltimore is kind of at the limit of what would be considered southern. Last year they opened March 30th in Boston and it was 38 with a 12 MPH winds. That isn't exactly ideal baseball weather, but might pass for OK in Minnesota.

[Satyr3206]

Downvoted for Doubleheaders? Tough crowd.