The Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics opened the 2012 campaign in Japan on Wednesday in a game that began at 6 a.m. EST or 3 a.m. EST in both teams' home city. Not only that, the game was not broadcasted live, but rather it was aired (taped) a couple hours later on MLB Network.
The idea and the execution sure leaves a lot to be desired, as the positives are few and far between for most baseballs fans, particularly those living in Oakland and Seattle. There's also the headache that comes for the participating teams who will begin their real slate of games next week after traveling back from Japan.
The league will continue its Opening Day(s) on April 4 when Miami opens its new ballpark by hosting the defending World Series champions, the St. Louis Cardinals, at 7 p.m. The rest of baseball will then open the next day with games across both leagues, the majority of which will be matinees.
