The MLB Giants in '19 plan to "break with tradition and move the start times of weeknight home games up 30 minutes" to 6:45pm PT, according to Kerry Crowley of the San Jose MERCURY NEWS. Giants President & CEO Larry Baer announced the plans yesterday in a "letter to season-ticket holders." The time change "does not include games scheduled for Fridays." Though the Giants drew close to 3.2 million fans this year, the club "suffered its second consecutive losing season and watched attendance begin to dwindle after the All-Star break." The Giants still "averaged nearly 39,000 fans per game," but the numbers have "dipped slightly over the past two seasons." Meanwhile, other changes season-ticket holders can "expect next season include a new ticket exchange program" and a 20% discount on "all food, beverage and merchandise purchases at AT&T Park concession stands" (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 10/3). In S.F., Henry Schulman notes the Giants next season are also "hoping to install a new, high-definition scoreboard similar to those in newer ballparks" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 10/3).
