Beer Sales Strategies During Doubleheaders

In baseball, a doubleheader is when two teams play two games on the same day. This can be in immediate succession, or not. Beer sales during doubleheaders vary depending on the stadium and state. For example, in 2022, a user on Reddit noted that beer sales at Fenway didn't stop during the first game of a doubleheader. Typically, alcohol sales would stop in the 7th inning of a single game, but doubleheaders are now only 7 innings long, so it is unclear when beer sales stop during these events.

Twi-Night Doubleheaders: Start late afternoon/early evening with a break between games

Twi-night doubleheaders are a type of doubleheader in baseball that starts in the late afternoon or early evening. They are so-called because "twi-" is short for twilight. There is a 20-30 minute break between games, and fans can watch both games with a single ticket. The stadium is cleared out between games, and the first game can start no later than 5 pm according to MLB rules.

Twi-night doubleheaders are often played in an open-air stadium in a hot climate, where playing in the early afternoon would be too hot. They are also useful when a game is postponed due to inclement weather, as they can be rescheduled for the same day, but later in the day when it is cooler.

The rules of doubleheaders are pretty much the same as any other regular-season game, with a few exceptions. For example, lineups and ejections are evaluated game by game. If a player is ejected in the first game, they are eligible to play in the second. If a player is removed from the lineup in the first game, they can still play in the second game.

In terms of alcohol sales, there doesn't seem to be a standard policy. It may depend on the stadium and state. For example, one person on Reddit mentions that at a doubleheader at Comiskey, they "sold beer the entire first game and not at all the 2nd game". However, another person replies that they "sold through the third inning of the second game". Another person mentions that at a doubleheader in San Francisco, alcohol was served until the 7th inning of the 2nd game.

Classic Doubleheaders: Almost identical to Twi-Night but start earlier in the day

Classic doubleheaders are almost identical to twi-night doubleheaders, except they start much earlier in the day. The first game of a classic doubleheader usually starts at 1 pm, and the second game follows after a break.

In the past, before many ballparks had lights, the second game would often be called on account of darkness if the first game went on too long. However, nowadays, both games can usually be completed, provided the weather cooperates for games in open-air stadiums.

Classic doubleheaders are now rare in major leagues but are still played at the minor league and college levels.

Regarding alcohol sales, there doesn't seem to be a standard policy for doubleheaders. It may vary by stadium and state. For example, at a White Sox game, beer was sold throughout the first game and until the third inning of the second game. At Fenway, there were no early stoppages to alcohol sales.

Day-Night Doubleheaders: Two separate games played on the same day. Rare due to collective bargaining agreements

Day-night doubleheaders are two separate games played on the same day, with the first game typically taking place in the early afternoon and the second game at night. They are considered true doubleheaders and are quite rare due to the potential violation of the collective bargaining agreement or CBA.

In a day-night doubleheader, spectators are required to purchase a separate ticket for each game, as opposed to a conventional doubleheader where a single ticket grants access to both games. This setup benefits baseball clubs as it maximises revenue by requiring separate admissions for each game.

The scheduling of day-night doubleheaders is generally a result of a prior game postponement due to inclement weather or other factors. For instance, if the last game of a series is rained out, a doubleheader may be scheduled at the opposing team's stadium to make up for the missed game.

The rules regarding alcohol sales during doubleheaders may vary, and there is no standard policy. In some cases, alcohol sales may continue until the 4th or 5th inning of the second game, while in other instances, sales may be stopped earlier or even during the first game. The specific regulations can depend on the stadium and state.

Home-and-Home Doubleheaders: The home team switches after the first game

A home-and-home doubleheader is a unique type of doubleheader in baseball where the home team switches after the first game. This type of doubleheader usually occurs due to a rainout, and the only opportunity to make up the game is when the original home team visits their opponents.

In a home-and-home doubleheader, one of the games is played at the home team's ballpark, but with the home team becoming the visiting team. This ensures that both teams have the same advantage of batting last. This type of doubleheader is extremely rare as it requires the teams' home ballparks to be in close geographical proximity.

Historically, doubleheaders were a routine part of the baseball schedule, but they have become less frequent in modern times due to scheduling and travel constraints. The term "double header" is derived from the railroad term "double heading," referring to a train with two locomotives at the front.

There are several types of doubleheaders, including twi-night, classic, day-night, and tripleheader. The rules of doubleheaders are similar to regular-season games, but lineups and ejections are evaluated separately for each game.

Split Doubleheaders: Two games, two tickets

A split doubleheader, also known as a day-night doubleheader, is a type of doubleheader where the first game is played in the early afternoon and the second later at night. This type of doubleheader is considered a true doubleheader and is favoured by major-league organisations as they can charge admission, or require a separate ticket, for each game.

Split doubleheaders are often the result of a prior game being postponed due to weather conditions or other factors. For example, if the first game of a series is rained out, the game may be rescheduled for the same day as the second game, creating a split doubleheader.

According to the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the MLB and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA), a split doubleheader is allowed provided the start time of the first game is no later than 5:00 p.m. local time. The stadium is emptied of spectators between games and a separate ticket is required for the second game.

While the rules of doubleheaders are similar to regular-season games, lineups and ejections are evaluated game by game. For example, if a player is ejected in the first game, they are still eligible to play in the second.

The sale of alcohol during split doubleheaders may vary depending on the stadium and local regulations. In some cases, alcohol sales may continue until the 7th inning of the second game, while in others, sales may be stopped earlier or during the break between games.

The occurrence of doubleheaders has become less frequent over time due to various factors, including clubs' desires to maximise revenue, longer game durations, and changes in pitching rotations. However, split doubleheaders remain a unique aspect of baseball, providing an opportunity for teams to make up postponed games and offering fans the chance to enjoy two games in one day, each with its own excitement and atmosphere.

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