MLB's rain delay policy unfair to fans
I write this every season........
I don't think MLB shows enough consideration and compassion for fans inconvenienced by rain delays.
Wednesday night, first pitch for Reds-Twins was scheduled for 7:10. The game started at 9:17 after a two hour and seven minute delay. A second delay hit at 10:49pm, and lasted until 11:42pm when the game was called. That's a long night at the ballpark for parents, people that work, kids that have school, etc.
I understand that purchasing a ticket to an outdoor event comes with built in risk: MLB teams can't control Mother Nature. There is no guarantee when the game will end. But times have changed. The pace of our lives have changed. Time is money. Our time is valuable.
Under current MLB policy, fans have to suck it up and endure a delay(s) to see the start/completion of the game. Or, walk away and forfeit their ticket purchase.
It's fair to ask a fan to block out 2-3 hours for the "game experience" (average length of MLB games). But it's above and beyond unfair to expect fans to adjust on the fly and cover more hours, just to get full value out of their ticket purchase.
Imagine how miserable fans had to be last night as the first rain delay reached two hours and seven minutes. Fans showing up for a 7:10pm first pitch, sat through two rain delays to get a result at 11:42pm. And just six innings of baseball.
It's just not a good business policy for MLB.
MLB should implement a league wide "opt-out" policy for rain delays. Under the plan, after a delay that lasts at least 90-minutes, fans would have the option to leave or stick it out. If they left, they'd receive a free ticket voucher for another game (based on availability).
The move would be a win, win. MLB would come off as more fan friendly, rather than putting the screws to fans in a game of "gotcha".
Under my plan, when a delay reached 90-minutes, either consecutively or in combination during a game, an in-stadium announcement would be made:
"Fans, the Reds and MLB thank you for attending tonight's game. Our rain delay has now hit 90-minutes. We apologize for the inconvenience and understand the value of your time. We hope to play baseball today, and we hope you can stick around. But we'd understand if you choose to head home at this point. Upon departure, a stadium attendant positioned at the gates will present to you a free ticket voucher to come back and see us at a later date. Your voucher will be subject to availability. Thanks for supporting Reds baseball. Go Reds!"
What does MLB have to lose? MLB would have already made money off fans for parking, concessions, souvenirs. Heck, Wednesday night had to be the Reds biggest concession and beer night of the season.
Just imagine the change in mood for fans/parents, if they were handed free ticket vouchers to come back and try the experience another time.
Treat fans with understanding and compassion and they will want to come back and do it again.