For the first time, the Drillers will start a weekday home game at 4:05 p.m.
"We like to experiment with different starting times and we're excited about this one," Drillers general manager Mike Melega said. "Over the years a lot of people have told us they would like a later afternoon game because they would like to go see an entire day game, but can't take more than an hour or hour-and-a-half off work.
"This is going to be our 'Businessperson's Special/Happy Hour' game. Fans can go right from work to the game and then be at home in time for dinner, or they can eat at the ballpark if they want. We'll see how it goes."
Compared to the other seven Texas League teams, the Drillers are conservative with their starting times. They have more dates at one starting time - 7:05 p.m. - than any other team, playing 58 of their 70 scheduled games at that time. But they also are tied with Arkansas for the most different starting times in the league - seven.
"We try to find the best times for each date that will have a positive impact on attendance," Melega said.
Seven TL teams use at least five different starting times.
"The odd times have been a success for teams," TL president Tom Kayser said.
The Drillers' starting times aren't just chosen at random. Daytime games on weekdays are played on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Those would otherwise be the two lowest drawing days of the week for night games. "$2 Tuesdays" with discounted tickets and concession items have been a big draw and so have Thirsty Thursdays with discounted drinks. Fridays are the most popular dates with fireworks shows.
Two weekday home games start at 11:05 a.m., one at 12:05 p.m. and three at 12:35 p.m.
"We've learned through the years that 11:05 is the best time for school field trips," Melega said. "When they came for a game that started at noon, they could only stay for a few innings. Now, they can pretty much see the entire game. The first one a couple weeks ago sold out, and the next one Wednesday will likely be a sellout."
For several seasons, day games have been limited to the first half of the season, except in years when the Drillers have been home on Labor Day.
This year there is an exception as the Drillers will play at 12:35 p.m. June 25 - four days into the second half.
"That's the final game before the All-Star break, and that will allow us more time to prepare to host the Texas League All-Star Game three days later," Melega said. "It also will give both teams an early start to their break.
"We have found that it's a little too hot to play day games once we get into late June."That's also why the Drillers shift their Sunday starts to 7:05 p.m. in the second half after going at 2:05 p.m. in the first half. An exception is the fireworks show on May 27 on Memorial Day weekend.
The Drillers used to start Saturday games at 6:05 p.m., but discontinued that following the first season at ONEOK Field. Fans down the left-field line have a hard time seeing due to the sun at that time.
"The third-base side is at the wrong angle of the sun at that time at ONEOK Field so we want to avoid that time if we can," Melega said.
The Drillers are using four different starting times in five home games this week. Melega doesn't think the varying game times confuse fans.
"They are plainly stated on the schedules and we publicize them," Melega said. "And there's a consistency to them."
The different starting times this week aren't ideal for the Drillers on the field, but manager Duane Espy sees the overall benefits.
"It's good being in a rhythm about when you come to the ballpark, when you go to work, when you go home and when you go to bed," Espy said. "These things change all that, but I understand this isn't just about us. It's an opportunity for different people to come to the ballpark and experience this. We just need to make the adjustments and do what we need to do."
When Kayser became Texas League president in 1992, weekday games in the daytime were rare. In the early '90s, Wichita, which is no longer in the league, was the first TL team to use many different starting times and used weekday games to attract schoolkids.
"It's been very successful (in the TL) and creates new fans," Kayser said. "You hope the kids have such a good time that they'll ask their daddy or mommy to take them again. And it's fun to listen to those games on the radio; you hear all the energy in the stands from the kids. Those games also are good for older adults who don't like to get out at night or adults who can take a quick lunch at the game."
Kayser and Melega are interested to see how the Drillers' game on Monday draws with the 4:05 p.m. starting time that previously has only been used in the TL on Sundays and holidays.
"We live and learn with the starting times," Melega said. "The jury is out on 4:05, but we've sold out our hospitality area and there seems to be a lot of interest in it."
12:05 p.m.
Drillers invite workers to take a lunch break at the ballpark for games on June 13 and June 25. Also used on April 25.
11:05 a.m.
The games on Wednesday and April 30 are designed for schoolkids on a field trip so they can see at least most of the game. First game was a sellout and the second one is a likely sellout.
1:05 p.m.
Traditional Drillers' starting time on Memorial Day, May 28. Also used in other years on Labor Day.
12:35 p.m.
Designed to allow the sponsor time to have a media gathering before the game on Ozone Alert Day, Monday, April 16.
4:05 p.m.
The Drillers are experimenting with a Businessperson's Special/Happy Hour Game on Monday. Designed to accomodate fans who can only take an hour or so off work, want to see the entire game and return home in time for dinner.
2:05 p.m.
Traditional Sunday time for first-half games, with an exception on May 27 due to fireworks on Memorial Day weekend.
7:05 p.m.
For the 11th straight year, this is the Drillers' primary starting time, used on all Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and all other dates in July and August, plus selected Mondays and Wednesdays in April through June.
Texas League start times
A look at the number of different home game start times this season by team:Arkansas 7
Corpus Christi 4
Frisco 5
Midland 6
NW Arkansas 6
San Antonio 5
Springfield 5
Tulsa 7
STARTING TIMES BREAKDOWN BY TEAM
(Scheduled games in parentheses)Arkansas: 7:10 p.m. (55), 6 p.m. (9), 2 p.m. (3), 1 p.m. (1), 4 p.m. (1), 5:30 p.m. (1).
Corpus Christi: 7:05 p.m. (56), 6:05 p.m. (9), 1:05 p.m. (4), 4:05 p.m. (1).
Frisco: 7 p.m. (53), 6 p.m. (8), 11 a.m. (4), 4 p.m. (4), 1 p.m. (1).
Midland: 7 p.m. (32), 6:30 p.m. (26), 6 p.m. (7), 11 a.m. (2), 2 p.m. (2), 4 p.m. (1).
NW Arkansas: 7 p.m. (52), 6 p.m. (7), 2 p.m. (4), 11 a.m. (3), 1 p.m. (3), Noon (1).
San Antonio: 7:05 p.m. (54), 6:05 p.m. (7), 4:05 p.m. (5), 11:05 a.m. (3), 5:05 p.m. (1).
Springfield: 7:08 p.m. (41), 6:08 p.m. (18), 2:08 p.m. (6), 12:08 p.m. (4), 4:08 p.m. (1),
Tulsa: 7:05 p.m. (58), 2:05 p.m. (4), 12:05 p.m. (3), 11:05 a.m. (2), 12:35 p.m. (1), 1:05 p.m. (1), 4:05 p.m. (1).
- BARRY LEWIS, World Sports Writer
Original Print Headline: Around the clock
Barry Lewis 918-581-8393
barry.lewis@tulsaworld.com
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