It’s not just the number of games that’s the problem. It’s the elimination of scheduled doubleheaders, which has extended the season even later into the calendar year.
I always loved minor league baseball. During the early 50s we watched the Panama City Flyers of the Alabama Florida League. It was inexpensive entertainment for the whole family.
During the 60s and 70s it was the Asheville Tourists, then the Asheville Orioles and it is back to the Tourists now.
The players still have a bit of a kid in them and the play is actually pretty good. You also see some future stars.