The 2023 Major League Baseball season has seen several changes in regulations, which have contributed to reducing the average game time by 30 minutes. As a result, some teams have extended beer sales beyond the traditional seventh-inning cutoff to the eighth inning. The Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers, Minnesota Twins, and Milwaukee Brewers have confirmed this extension. The Rangers have gone a step further by making alcohol widely available this year and offering in-seat service to prevent long lines at concession stands.
The Brewers have extended beer sales into the eighth inning on an experimental basis, according to Brewers President of Business Operations, Rick Schlesinger. Schlesinger stated that the extension is reflective of the shorter game times this season, and the team wants to ensure that fans can purchase beer for the same amount of time they did last year. Schlesinger added that the safety and conduct of fans are a priority, and the team will continue to test the extension to see if it makes sense.
However, Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Matt Strahm has criticized the decision to extend alcohol sales to the eighth inning. He suggested that teams should be moving the cutoff for beer sales up to the sixth inning rather than stretching to the eighth inning or later. He cited potential safety reasons, pointing out that fans will have less time to sober up and drive home with people who have just drunk beers 22 minutes ago. Strahm questioned why teams are allowing alcohol sales into the eighth inning, putting fans and families at risk.
Overall, the 2023 season has seen several new regulations introduced by MLB, including a pitch timer, defensive shift limits, and bigger bases. These changes have resulted in shorter game times, which has led some teams to extend beer sales beyond the traditional seventh-inning cutoff.