Why Are There Fewer Day Games Today? An Evolution in MLB Scheduling

MLB has evolved considerably since its early days, and one aspect of this evolution is the shift from predominantly day games to mainly evening games. In the early days of Major League Baseball (MLB), there were many day games scheduled during weekdays. But why are there so few day games today?

The Role of Television and Audience Reach

The primary reason for the shift in scheduling is the significant rise in television coverage and broadcasting rights. In the past, gate admission takings represented a larger share of team revenue. However, broadcasting rights now provide a much greater portion of income. Television ratings are significantly higher in the evening, making it more financially beneficial for broadcasters to schedule key games during prime time slots.

On weekdays, teams schedule night games to capitalize on a larger audience. Local attendance is typically higher during this time since fewer people are working and can attend the game. The evolution in lighting technology also played a crucial role. Floodlights were not invented until later, so games had to be scheduled during daylight hours for visibility. Today, the ability to light up stadiums at night means that scheduling weekday games in the evening makes more business sense for the clubs.

The Impact of Lighting Technology

Before the 1930s, stadiums lacked sufficient lighting to host night games. The first MLB game played at night was in 1935 when the Cincinnati Reds defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 2–1. Prior to this, night games were more common in minor league baseball. For instance, in 1930, the Des Moines team hosted a night game against Wichita in the Western League and drew a remarkable 12,000 spectators. This was in stark contrast to the 600 fans they typically drew during the day.

The first MLB night game was a necessity due to the lack of appropriate lighting. Without this technology, hosting night games was impractical. As lighting technology advanced, it made hosting evening games during weekdays more viable and economically beneficial.

Conclusion

The shift from predominantly day games to mainly evening games in MLB is a result of several factors, including economics and technological advancements. Today, teams schedule games in the evening to maximize viewer and revenue potential. Floodlights and other lighting innovations have made it possible to host night games at convenient times, benefiting both the teams and the broadcasting companies.