Baseball is one of the few major sports where fans regularly see games scheduled on weekday afternoons. If you’ve ever wondered why Major League Baseball (MLB) doesn’t just stick to nights and weekends, the reasons lie in history, tradition, travel, and scheduling demands.
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- A Tradition from Baseball’s Early Days
In the 1800s and early 1900s, stadiums did not have lights. Every game had to be played in daylight, which made weekday afternoon matchups the standard.
- The first MLB night game didn’t happen until 1935 in Cincinnati.
- Some teams resisted night games for decades. The Chicago Cubs, for example, didn’t install lights at Wrigley Field until 1988.
Even today, certain teams keep day games on the schedule to honor that long-standing tradition.
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- The Long 162-Game Season
Baseball’s season is the longest in professional sports, with 162 regular-season games per team. To fit this many matchups into six months:
- Teams must play on weekdays as well as weekends.
- Afternoon games help balance the schedule and reduce conflicts with too many night games in a row.
Unlike football, which plays once a week, or basketball and hockey, which play a few times per week, baseball is nearly daily—making weekday games a necessity.
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- Travel and “Getaway Day” Games
Another key reason is travel. Teams usually play three- or four-game series against the same opponent. The final game of a series is often scheduled as a weekday afternoon “getaway day” so the visiting team can finish early and travel to the next city.
- Example: A Thursday day game gives players enough time to fly out and prepare for Friday night’s game elsewhere.
This scheduling helps MLB keep its fast-paced season running smoothly.
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- Audience and Business Factors
While night games usually draw larger crowds, weekday day games still serve important purposes:
- TV and streaming broadcasts provide revenue even if attendance is smaller.
- Special promotions—like school field trips or “businessperson specials”—help fill the stands.
- Summer weekday games attract families, retirees, and tourists, expanding baseball’s reach.
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Final Thoughts
Baseball’s mix of history, heavy scheduling, travel logistics, and fan promotions explains why weekday and daytime games remain part of the sport. While primetime night games dominate the biggest TV audiences, weekday afternoons still carry the charm of tradition and practicality.
So the next time you catch a midday first pitch, remember: it’s not just about convenience—it’s part of what makes baseball’s schedule unique among major sports.
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Why Baseball Games Are Played on Weekdays and During the Day | History & Tradition
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Ever wondered why MLB games are often played on weekdays or in the afternoon? Learn about the history, tradition, travel needs, and scheduling that keep baseball unique.
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