WHEREAS, This year's playoff games were full of excitement, but many stretched way past mid-night due to the late start times to ensure television viewership. Unfortunately, many younger fans were unable to stay up to watch past the first inning or two, even during the weekend games; and
WHEREAS, The same pattern has continued through the World Series games between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Tampa Bay Rays, with each game beginning around 8:30pm EST. Again, the late starts have fans staying up late into the night - long past their children's bedtimes - to see who wins. With Game 3's rain delay, fans had to stay up until 2am to see the Phillies win 5-4; and
WHEREAS, The last World Series game that began in the afternoon was Game 6 of the 1987 World Series between the Minnesota Twins and the St. Louis Cardinals; and
WHEREAS, The late start times are distancing the sport from its next generation of fans. By scheduling at least one weekend game during the day, younger fans would have the opportunity to share in the excitement of cheering on their favorite team and experiencing history being made; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council does hereby urge Allan H. Bud Selig, the Commissioner of Baseball, to consider adding one day game during each Playoff Series and the World Series so that youth can share in the excitement of these games, and we can preserve the next generation of baseball fans.
End