The Tigers "aren't considering moving up game times, even though some teams have opted to do that earlier in the season in an effort to attract more fans," according to George Sipple of the DETROIT FREE PRESS. The Royals moved start times to 6:05pm CT in April, "taking into account earlier bedtimes for families with children who have to be up early the next day for school." The Tigers "haven’t considered moving their start times" earlier than 7:05pm, "primarily because they want to give more time for those who commute to work to have time to go from work to the ballpark or home from work first and then to the game." Fearing some fans would miss the first pitch of games, the Tigers opted for the status quo "unless on national television." Tigers VP/Communications Ron Colangelo said, "We really work hard to strike that balance because people do like to have that extra time. The weekends are different." He added that the 1:05pm starts on Thursday are a "tradition and have become known for being full of group outings." Colangelo: "It’s been advantageous for fans who do want a game during the week, whether it’s senior citizens, schools that come. That Thursday day is very popular" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 5/5).
