NewUmpire posted:Define length... 4/1 - 11/1 ... 7 months or 162 games?
Took a look at one team ... just to get an idea.
In 1955 there were 154 games...regular season went from 4/13 - 9/25 and there were less playoffs... done by 10/15.
In 1970 there were 162 games ... season was done by 9/30.
2017 season did not end till 10/1.
The issue - I think - is that in 1950 there were 22 double headers. in 2017 3.
TV revenue is too great not to have as many games as possible in prime time.
Either way you cut it ... by days or by games ... there will be lost revenue.
The only way a season will get shorter is if the players hold out in collective bargaining and are willing to give up salary. At 51 I have a better chance of playing for the Yankees than any of that ever happening.
Up until 1969 there was approximately 1 week of playoff baseball - the World Series. Don Larsen's perfect game in Game 5 was on October 8th. This year the same date was the 2nd game of the Division Series.
If baseball is paying attention October matters more than May. Shave 10 days off the regular season. Make the Wildcard series 3 games and the Division Series 7. Start the playoffs around Sept. 20 and wrap them up by October 20. No reason for November baseball.
While they are at it - absorb the Japanese League and make it like California in 1950's. Keep a couple of the teams and get rid of some dog teams in US. Rays, A's, Marlins, Bucs, Brewers are all candidates for 3/4 cities in Far East. Maybe add two teams and get to 32. 4 divisions with 8 teams. Go with 14 division games = 98. 6 interdivision games = 48 and 8 interleague games for 154. Playoffs are 2 division winners and 4 wild cards. Division winners get a bye and play the 2 wild card winners seeded by records.