On Sept. 14 2010, it was announced that the MLB would have its teams open the 2011 season on a Thursday (March 31) or Friday (April 1) as opposed to the traditional Monday, in effort to prevent the World Series from extending into November. The early start will lead to a day off for some teams, after the official Opening Day festivities. MLB.com's announcement says, "The 2011 season will mark the first non-Sunday or Monday start since 1998.