When it comes to overtime and extra inning games, fans should set some rules for how long they will keep watching.

Last night, the Chicago Cubs played an epic eighteen inning and over six hour marathon game against the New York Yankees.

If you are getting ready to watch a game, you should know going in how much time you will commit to it. You need to come up with a personal set of rules, just in case there's overtime or extra innings. These rules will be different for being at the event live or watching it on TV at home. They could also vary from person to person.

As a fan, you like to think you're all in. No matter what. But, we all know that isn't true. There are factors that will keep us from watching the whole thing. It's hard enough to check out a game in it's entirety in regulation.

Some games are made to keep bonus time to a minimum. For example, the NFL has one overtime quarter. In the regular season, the NHL has the shoot out. Those things make sure that games don't go on forever.

On the other hand, the MLB, NBA, NHL playoffs will keep going until somebody wins. It can continue for hours.

If you are going to be "Super Fan" and plan on watching the whole contest, here are some factors to remember.

For being live at the event.

1. What time do you have to get up for work in the morning? This is the top reason to give up on a game. Lack of sleep is never good. If your drive home is long, it's not going to be fun heading home at 2am.

2. When are the beer sales getting cut off? You don't want to start getting hung over, before the game is even over. If you feel extra innings or overtime coming on, head over the concession stand a purchase a couple beers. This could either pay off or blow up in your face. You could be set for some bonus sports or stuck with too much.

3. Grab something to eat before it's too late. Not just the beer stands will close, the rest of the concession stands will too. If you haven't eaten since before the game, a nice snack would be a good idea.

4. Will the weather change? It might have been 80 degrees and sunny when the game started, but the temperature could drop. It could start raining. Are you prepared?

5. Am I still going to have a ride home? If you're taking some sort of public transportation, you will want to double check on how late it runs. If the bus only runs until midnight and the game goes longer, you could be sleeping on a park bench.

When you're at home watching.

There is really only one factor, when it comes to overtime or extra innings while watching games at home. That is how much sleep to you want to get. Everything else is under your control.

As a person, that has to wake up very early for work. I learned a long time ago, that I need to set a limit. Especially, when it comes to playoffs. If you don't decide before starting to watch the game, you won't be properly prepared to face the situation.

Rules to consider when setting a cut off time for a game.

1. In the regular season there are so many games, it's okay to go to bed before a game is over.

2. During the championship, finals, clinching game, or any game seven during the playoffs, you must watch the whole thing.

3. Set yourself a time limit, as opposed to a point in the game. You are better off saying, I'm going to bed at 10:30pm instead of saying the end of the second period. Games can go long and the next thing you know, you are up past midnight.

4. You can also set a score limit. If your team goes down by so many points, it's alright to call it a night.

5. Don't break your rule once you set it. If you do, you will regret it in the morning.

I hope this helps you next time your favorite team goes into extra innings or overtime.


 

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