Alcohol is a major part of MLB games, with beer being a long-time tradition. Most adult fans will look back on their fondest baseball memories and remember having a beer in hand. 

With games becoming shorter, it seems logical that teams would want their vendors to stop selling alcohol earlier. But instead, certain teams have chosen to go the other way. Most recently, a Philadelphia Phillies pitcher disagreed with these changes, offering his own take on the matter. 

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Matt Strahm disagrees with the new alcohol-selling policies

Certain MLB teams have revised their alcohol-selling policies, extending it through the 8th inning. This has caused some division, with Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Matt Strahm recently offering his take. Strahm said that it does not make sense to sell alcohol through the 8th inning for these shorter games. He elaborated by saying that it puts our friends and family at risk. ESPN shared his statement on the issue in a Twitter post. Strahm has been a bright spot for the Phillies this season, who are struggling without Bryce Harper, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery. 

According to ESPN, Strahm said, “The reason we stopped [selling alcohol in] the seventh before was to give our fans time to sober up and drive home safe, correct? So now with a faster-pace game — and me just being a man of common sense — if the game is going to finish quicker, would we not move the beer sales back to the sixth inning to give our fans time to sober up and drive home? Instead, we’re going to the eighth, and now you’re putting our fans and our family at risk driving home with people who have just drank beers 22 minutes ago.”

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Strahm expressed concerns for fans’ safety, as many will drive back home after a game. With alcohol being sold later on in the game, this may put them in a dangerous situation. It will be interesting to see how teams handle this issue, with only a handful currently selling alcohol in the 8th inning. Let’s have a look at fans’ reactions to the new policy.

How have fans reacted to the new alcohol-selling policy? 

Considering that this is all about fans’ safety, let’s have a look at what some supporters are saying. Some fans agree with what Phillies pitcher Matt Strahm is saying. Others have offered solutions to the issue. But the response has been generally positive.

Some fans completely agreed with Strahm.

Others offered their solutions to the issue at hand.

What do you think of certain MLB teams selling alcohol through the 8th inning to combat shorter game lengths?Kindly share your thoughts in the comments below.

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