The start time of the game between the Chicago White Sox and the Cleveland Indians was changed due to Yom Kippur.
The Sept. 25 game in Chicago was moved to 1:10 p.m. from 7:10 p.m., the White Sox said Tuesday. A "significant number" of White Sox fans had contacted the club over the game's conflict with Yom Kippur, a statement from the team said.
The White Sox, who lead the Detroit Tigers by 2 games in the American League's Central Division, said they had discussed the possibility of a time change with the Indians and the teams reached an agreement to move the game.
White Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis, who is Jewish, told the Chicago Tribune that he was pleased with the switch.
"I guess that means I can play," Youkilis told the newspaper. "I really didn't know. I know there was talk that there was something about maybe changing it for the fans on that day. But it's a good thing for the playoff stretch."
Youkilis was traded in June by the Boston Red Sox to the White Sox. He reportedly has never played a game on Yom Kippur.
In the most recent move to accommodate the Day of Atonement, the Yankees and Red Sox in 2009 changed a Sept. 27 game from evening to afternoon following an outcry from Jewish fans of both teams.
via jta.org
