As the crack of the bat and the cheer of the crowds herald the return of Major League Baseball, fans across the United States eagerly anticipate the traditional pomp and ceremony of Opening Day. But unbeknownst to many, the season is already underway—not on the familiar turfs of American ballparks, but thousands of miles away in South Korea.
This international tradition is not new. For over two decades, MLB has been exporting its opening games to global audiences, starting in 1996 in Mexico. Over the years, Japan has become a frequent host, with memorable moments like Ichiro Suzuki’s final games in 2019. Australia, Mexico, and now South Korea have also joined the roster of hosts.
So, right now, as spring training continues its casual stride and teams fine-tune their rosters, MLB has quietly initiated the 2024 regular season in the international arena. This decision, while perhaps well-intentioned to globalize America’s pastime, strikes out on several counts.
Firstly, the timing is peculiar. The games in South Korea unfold during what many consider the prelude to the season—spring training. This period is synonymous with a relaxed atmosphere, where scores are quickly forgotten and the wins and losses do not carry over to the regular season. To juxtapose this with official season games abroad creates a dissonance that can leave even the most ardent fans scratching their heads.
Secondly, the fanfare—or the lack thereof—is startling. MLB’s international games seem to slip under the radar, receiving scant attention compared to the anticipation of Opening Day in the States. The result? A significant portion of the fan base remains oblivious to the fact that the first pitch has already been thrown and the season’s narrative is underway.
This approach also raises questions about the equity of play. While teams playing internationally are thrust into competitive games that count, their counterparts are still dipping their toes in the warm-up waters of spring training. The disparity in game intensity could potentially skew the early standings, casting a shadow over the fairness of the season’s outset.
While these games aim to spread the sport’s appeal, they often clash with the ongoing spring training back home, leading to a disjointed start to the season. Fans in the United States, still tuned into the exhibition games, may find themselves unaware that the official games have already begun.
On the flipside, the reasoning behind doing these games in far-away lands in Australia and Asia is that it’s easier to make the trip before the regular season is underway in a tight 162-game schedule over the spring, summer, and early fall. However, Major League Baseball’s London series has shown that an international series can happen amidst the stacked regular season. With some creativity given the long flight times, the same can be done with games in places like Japan and South Korea.
When Major League Baseball seems out of touch on a lot of issues—just look at the uniforms this year, as well as things hated by players like the pitch clock and the changing baseballs—these international games come further under the microscope. The strategy to start the season internationally, while commendable for its global outreach, certainly misses the mark in its execution, with the average Joe being totally unaware America’s pastime is back.