Fox Sports and the MLB just announced a deal that, in my opinion, is a great thing for baseball. Starting this fall, baseball’s playoff and World Series games will begin earlier… so fans can stay up and actually watch the games.

Why has it taken so long for them to do this? I don’t know. Some say it’s because ratings in the past few years have dropped. Low ratings mean less money in ad sales. Others say it’s because East and West coast teams have complained games start too late to possibly watch them. Boo frekin’ hoo. (*yes, I’m just bitter the Twins haven’t made it there recently).

I don’t care about the reason for the earlier game decision. I’m just glad they’re doing it.

I’m currently reading Hall of Famer Dave Winfield’s book “Dropping the Ball.” In it, he highlights the problems with today’s game. He also presents solutions. One of the problems is fewer kids are interested in the sport. A reason for the drop in interest is because the games are so late in the day. Think about it: not too many parents would let their kids stay up on a school night to watch a baseball game. And I’m not even talking about a play off game, where extra innings are almost a guarantee.

That upsets me because those extra innings and play off games are the most exciting games of the season. The best of the best are facing off against one another, and they’re making plays that will forever be on their highlight reel.

In Winfield’s book, he highlights this problem: Kids need to see baseball to be excited about playing baseball. “If kids aren’t playing baseball today, they won’t be attending baseball games tomorrow.”

Baseball, like all pro sports, has its own problems. But it’s still America’s past time. It’s a smart game: forcing both players and fans to carefully calculate statistics, predict outcomes and create strategies. But it’s just as physically demanding: players use both strength and agility nearly every day for ten months. No other sport is as physically and mentally demanding as baseball. You can’t have an off day, you can’t get injured and you sure as hell can’t have a long lucky streak. You’re good… or you’re replaced by someone who’s better.

The game I love is going to get better. It’s going to take time. But moving games to an early spot, no matter the reason, is a right move. Whether the players, TV stations or fans care or know it. Unfortunately, more of these changes will need to be made to make this great sport even better.