Doubleheaders on holidays like Independence Day (July 4) were the norm. Now doubleheaders any time are unusual. The 2020 plague caused MLB to adopt two fundamental changes:
1. Doubleheaders of two 7 inning games
2. Tied games were decided in extra innings that started with a runner on second base.
If the two changes are combined, there would be extra inning rules starting in the 8th inning of a game tied after 7 innings, as happened this afternoon in the Mets - Brewers game in New York.
14 innings of baseball might seem appealing. However, that's only if the two games are played traditionally; with a short break between games and the fans pay to see both games.
However, in 2021, at least some of the time, a doubleheader is split with seperate sets of fans paying to attend each game. Somewhat OK, so far. However, instead of each game being 9 innings, each game is 7 innings. This means that two sets of fans are paying full price to see ONE 7 inning game. That is NOT OK. Definitely NOT. They are missing 22% of a game. Are their ticket prices reduced 22%?
The old Yankee Stadium had capacity in 1961 of 67,000. But the July 4 doubleheader between the first place Detroit Tigers and the second place Yankees drew 74,246. Standing room was permitted. Each game was scheduled for 9 innings and game two went 10 innings. Both Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris played every inning, as did four of the other eight starters. The Yankees won 6-2, then lost 4-3. Maris hit home run number 31 in game two.
July 4, 2021 had a split doubleheader with two paid admissions.
Remember, each 2021 game at Yankee Stadium was 7 innings.
How did it come to this? What the heck?
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