Speeding Up Games

[Tyrus4189Cobb]

Interesting article I came across that could remedy the sluggish pace of games

http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairba...all.php?page=2

[Richard]

I don't know why MLB doesn't do anything about this. I routinely look at box scores and notice many games nowadays including 4-3 games can take 3 and a half hours to play or more. Not just Yankees vs. Red Sox games. If MLB wants to attract a younger audience then stop playing games with such a slow pace. Call the high strike again and enforce the rules to keep batters in the box and pitchers on the mound. I know MLB will soon be an eight billion dollar industry soon but I'm worried because many of my nephews rarely follow baseball. It's all NBA and NFL in terms of spectator sports nowadays for kids.

[dominik]

the best way to speed up the game would be calling the real strike zone again so that hitters can't look at 3-4 pitches in every AB.

but of course the MLB will not allow that since HRs and hitting fills the seats.

[SHOELESSJOE3]

the best way to speed up the game would be calling the real strike zone again so that hitters can't look at 3-4 pitches in every AB.

but of course the MLB will not allow that since HRs and hitting fills the seats.

Thats high on the list and I agree MLB will do nothing about it because baseball is not only a game it's a bu$ine$$. The umps on their own shaved the top of the zone in the 1990's, moved the upper half down to the belt, thats a good 4 inches lower than what the rule book says. In the last few years they have come up some but still not the rule book strike.

Pitchers taking so long and batters stepping out, two more offenders. Not only do some batters step out, they take a little stroll then come back to the box. May seem minor but add that up, so many doing that during a game.

They mention Petitte, yes especially during a jam he really slows down. But, has anyone looked at Josh Beckett.

The wave, no problem, how many times have we seen the wave in recent years in MLB. Add to that, in the past I've seen the wave and the game doesn't stop while it's taking place.

IBB, just let the batter take first, why, there is also no problem there. How much time does a couple or few IBB's add to the game, not a problem.

[GiambiJuice]

Do you think the owners can sell more hot dogs and sodas at a 3.5 hour game or a 2.5 hour game? Therein lies your answer as to why nothing is being done about this.

[Dude Paskert]

I've mentioned this before here and I think it would make a big difference in a typical modern game.
Pitchers coming in during an inning should get NO warmup pitches on the mound.
They should be warm from the pen and too bad if it takes them a while to get used to the mound and/or the catcher. Don't bring them in during an inning if that's such a big problem.
Drives me insane that 30,000 people pay to watch 7 schmos per game get their practice in during an inning because managers insist upon cycling through their entire bullpen every game looking for the one guy who can't pitch that night.

[Richard]

I wonder if calling the high strike would improve the pace of the game. This would force players to put the bat on the ball when there are two strikes instead of having slap hitters strike out 130 times a year which would quicken the pace of the game. Also, calling the high strike would keep the starting pitchers (generally the best pitchers) in the game longer. Therefore there would be less relief pitchers pitching and changing pitchers constantly.

[Cap78]

I don't know why MLB doesn't do anything about this. I routinely look at box scores and notice many games nowadays including 4-3 games can take 3 and a half hours to play or more. Not just Yankees vs. Red Sox games. If MLB wants to attract a younger audience then stop playing games with such a slow pace. Call the high strike again and enforce the rules to keep batters in the box and pitchers on the mound. I know MLB will soon be an eight billion dollar industry soon but I'm worried because many of my nephews rarely follow baseball. It's all NBA and NFL in terms of spectator sports nowadays for kids.

Agree here...as a teacher I am in contact with teenagers a lot, and they can't understand how I can like baseball as it is boring and too slow...is there any connection to baseball losing fans at a younger age and a huge influx of Latin American Players?

[SHOELESSJOE3]

I wonder if calling the high strike would improve the pace of the game. This would force players to put the bat on the ball when there are two strikes instead of having slap hitters strike out 130 times a year which would quicken the pace of the game. Also, calling the high strike would keep the starting pitchers (generally the best pitchers) in the game longer. Therefore there would be less relief pitchers pitching and changing pitchers constantly.

I think calling the high strike, the rule book strike might get the game away from high pitch counts. Plus, why not just follow the rule book, the way the game should be played

[SouthwestAmAZins]

From the MLB's Official Baseball Rules, page 23...

Untitled3.png

[Rich the Giants fan]

If I go to a game and I'm outta there in under 2 1/2 hours, I feel cheated and want my money back. Games are so expensive, I prefer the longer entertainment.

[UnderPressure]

If I go to a game and I'm outta there in under 2 1/2 hours, I feel cheated and want my money back. Games are so expensive, I prefer the longer entertainment.

I only feel cheated when my team loses regardless of the length of the game.

[Cap78]

I only feel cheated when my team loses regardless of the length of the game.

I feel cheated if the Padres are in town

[SHOELESSJOE3]

From the MLB's Official Baseball Rules, page 23...

[ATTACH]109870[/ATTACH]

Hugh difference on the verticle, umps shave a good 4 inches. Even a couple or few inches is big. Like I said they have come up some from recent years, at one time a joke at the belt.

[ipitch]

Untitled3.png[/QUOTE]

Who is the moron that chalked that batter's box?