The Rays are always at the bottom for attendance in the Major Leagues, so it boggles my mind how they can’t have their game times for the next year up that quick. Weather is never a factor at all, and they have no geographical MLB teams remotely close to them. The Royals and the Padres are also teams that do not post their times early enough – while sagging at the gates.

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024

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I am a big fan of the MLB posting their schedules  so early compared to other sporting entities.  However with this being said, there are several teams who have not completed their start times for the majority of their home ballparks 2014 campaign yet.

My question is, why the hell not?

In an economy starving for our entertainment dollar, what is the hold up? 

Look I am all for the quirks in the variances for each club based on ESPN Sunday night baseball, heck, even coordinating with the other geographical rivals in your area, to have the most potential ticket buyers head through the wickets at your turnstiles.

As of right now, the Tigers, Astros, Rays, Angels, Red Sox, Rangers, Padres, Indians, Royals, Braves, and White Sox have not posted these.

The Indians are a 1st rate organization , so I hope they don’t hold what I am about to say against me. For the last several years, they are always among the last few clubs to post their start times. They should be doing everything within their power to be drawing people in.  The White Sox and Braves also fall into this category of teams that do not draw well, and should be trying everything in their realm to make it easier on potential consumers.

People plan their road trip months in advance, and right now you are potentially costing yourselves a few tickets by not placing you start times. 

It is simple.  Folks like me, who have averaged over $10,000 in roadtrips per year for the last decade, do not sit on the fence planning.  Some of us are even crazy enough to visit a bunch of parks in a short limited time.

But here is what happens.  When we don’t know what times the game starts, we can’t coordinate with other cities on travel arrangements. 

It has been a fast-moving ‘downward trajectory’ for attendance at Minute Maid Park for Houston. Meanwhile, they are one of the last clubs to post their start times in the MLB.

For the folks that fly, we also know that prices today on flights may not be what they a day or week from now.

You are at a better advantage than the NHL or NBA, that have several teams sharing the same facilities.  All of the baseball teams (except Oakland) can schedule an itinerary without any thought.

Don’t even get me started on the tickets not being available for purchase at this team either.  But at least, if a person knew what time the game was at, they could barter for tickets later. 

Tickets, while traveling only represent a percentage of what one actually pays to see games in MLB stadiums.

Having 11 of the 30 clubs not knowing their home time schedules yet (within 40 days of Spring Training start is ridiculous). 

The Boston franchise has had record sellout streaks in recent vintage, and routinely don’t have a problem with attracting fans to Fenway Park, The Rangers and Tigers join them on a list of successful clubs – who may not post their times early enough, but can afford to not worry about it.

In a month. the Red Sox or the Indians, which ever club likes to take the reins as the last to post their game times every year, will finally set forth their campaign itinerary.

From there, us ballpark chasers will forge ahead with any road trips we wish to embark.  I will prepare a master double header list for all 182 days worth for the extreme fan on this website at that time.

It just could be so much easier – if we could be given the information earlier.

So you receive an A for putting up the master schedule in Sept of the previous MLB Year, but I am handing out a C for the times doled out.

Maybe I am just bitching too much about this subject.  Then again, there are several more fans like me, and if this problem can be amended, then it is worth taking a second look into it.

If I have to think too much about some of the travel things I do, MLB might just take second spot to another thing to do in a city during a road trip.

Milwaukee Brewers are one of the best franchises at posting times for their next upcoming season. Among other good clubs to do this over the last 5 years are: Twins, Mariners, Pirates, Rockies, Diamondbacks and the Blue Jays. Kudos for you guys doing this as it serves your fanbases well for administering plans for future games attended.

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Chuck Booth – Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner and author of the Fastest 30 Ballgames:   To learn more about my  “The Fastest 30 Ballgames Book” and how to purchase it, click here .

You can also follow my Guinness Book of World Record Successful Bid to see all 30 MLB Park in 23 Days – click here.

This is a replica of the big HR apple that comes out of the CF bleachers when the New York hits a tater trot at Citi Field.

You can reach me on Twitter here Follow @mlbreports