As mentioned in this column last week, the July 25 Central League game between the Yomiuri Giants and Yokohama DeNA Baystars at Tokyo Dome had a starting time of 7 p.m., an hour later than usual for weekday night games in Japanese baseball. It was a "test" to see if fans would turn out for a game with a later starting — and ending —time during summer vacation.
The game was a sellout, with a crowd of 45,677 fans in attendance, but it should be noted it was the second of two half-price beer nights at the Big Egg this season, so the game might have sold out anyway because of the promotion.
Game times will not be changed this season, but some teams in Japanese baseball may be thinking to schedule some games with later starting times next year during July and August. Personally, I think the 6 p.m. start is best and hope it will not be changed.