FanNation - The Republic of Sport

A couple of things... first off, Game 1 of last year's World Series was played at Fenway Park, not Coors Field. Way to show off the Philadelphia sports expertise there, Paul Hagen.

Second, yes, it should be moved up if both LCS's end early. FOX announced today that they will delay the start of Game 6 because of a 30-minute Barack Obama campaign commercial, so why couldn't they change the schedule for a legitimate reason such as to make the World Series better? Last year, it worked out that it would have been a long layoff for the Rox anyway, but had the Indians won Game 5, it would have been 7 days for them. It would have been a terrible Series to watch, as both teams would have had to get their legs back underneath them. As it was, the Rockies didn't have a chance after the layoff. They might not have won anyway, but it would have been a better Series if it could have started earlier. TV needs to stop ruling sports.

I agree that MLB should move up the start of the World Series if Tampa Bay does win tonight. It doesn't help the teams to have a long layoff and I think it also tends to dampen fan enthusiasm and TV viewership (read that as a net loss to corporate advertisers) by having a long delay before the World Series begins. If I were a Marketing Executive, I would want my product advertised on TV when the maximum number of people were watching - there is no reason to think that the number of viewers increases with a long delay; it's just the opposite!

While I agree the World Series schedule should be schedule, I'm sure this cannot be done just by the MLB. TV networks, sponsors, and venues are likely not as flexible when it comes to moving the schedule up.

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 04:59 PM ET  10.16 by Kuritorisu

While I agree the World Series schedule should be schedule, I'm sure this cannot be done just by the MLB. TV networks, sponsors, and venues are likely not as flexible when it comes to moving the schedule up.

But they can move the schedule to accomodate a Barack Obama campaign commercial? Let me ask you something... Who does the TV networks make more money off of - Barack Obama or Major League Baseball? The answer is clearly MLB. That point doesn't hold any water in my book.

Moving days and moving times by half an hour are very different.

they should start earlier. give both teams at most 3 days to set their rotations as best as possible and play some ball.

I think the long delay could hurt a team, but it's not just the networks. You have to take into account the out of town, out of state fans. That have to take off work, schedle airline tickets and hotel reservations.

QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 05:09 PM ET  10.16 by wtnelson = Big Chief

But they can move the schedule to accomodate a Barack Obama campaign commercial? Let me ask you something... Who does the TV networks make more money off of - Barack Obama or Major League Baseball? The answer is clearly MLB. That point doesn't hold any water in my book.

I bet someone broke a sweat to find a way to push back the 6th game 8 whole freakin minutes rofl.

Jeez, I am surprised that network is even giving him 30 minutes...must be on account of the equal airtime laws governing presidential candidates being on tv.

That whole equality thing has some people up in arms huh?

/rolls eyes

Who said they were "giving" it to him. they are selling it to him for big bucks.

This is a great topic.
The season is now just barely squeezed into the month of October. It's too long. You have to account for the advent of the wild card, which I like, but I agree this delay of a week before the start of the Series is wrong and unnecessary.

By its nature, the playoffs and sport in general, is unpredictable. First of all you can't predict unplayable weather. That could easily be an unanticipated schedule change. Advertisers, teams, television, fans cope with it as best they can, it's never a huge deal. We're talking about if it's a huge deal to chop like 3 or more days off the current wait. That's different than a 30-minute Obama commercial or a rainout.

Also you can't predict how many games playoff series will go.
You can't know for sure who will play in the World Series (i.e. what cities) until the final LCS game is complete. So if you're a fan needing to book flight tickets you already don't have much notice. I think if you shaved the current 7 or 8 day wait down to 4 or 5, which might still be too long for some but is probably short enough for many, I think everything would be just fine.

But I'll get on my little soapbox here and take this opportunity to say that I think playoff games should be played on consecutive days. Just like during the regular season. Have to fly across the country? Too bad. It's the playoffs. Be men. OK, maybe we give you one day if it involves cross-country travel. One. But Tampa-Boston for example? Consecutive days. Gimme a break with these 1 or 2 days between games. Incidentally, having less next-day games after travel would be an added benefit of home field advantage.

Playing consecutive days also drastically reduces the amount of time it takes to complete series. And it becomes a lot easier to set a predictable, not-too-delayed start date to the World Series, which would finish comfortably before Halloween, as it should.

they used to start as soon as possible, now it's all about the rankings.

QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 08:17 PM ET  10.16 by Saihung

I bet someone broke a sweat to find a way to push back the 6th game 8 whole freakin minutes rofl. Jeez, I am surprised that network is even giving him 30 minutes...must be on account of the equal airtime laws governing presidential candidates being on tv.That whole equality thing has some people up in arms huh?/rolls eyes

Equal airtime laws mean nothing. They can find a time to air his commercial on another night. I just think that it's ridiculous. And yes, I would say the same thing if it was John McCain.