A few ideas about how to speed up MLB games....

[mfw13]

In no particular order:

#1 - stop allowing hitters to call time and step out of the box at the last minute. Each time a hitter does this it delays the game by 30+ seconds, and hitters do it a lot. One of the highlights of the postseason for me was when a batter asked for time just as the pitcher was winding up (it was a Dodger, don't remember which series), the ump didn't give it to him, and he took strike three right down the middle. Likewise, the batter is allowed one foot out of the box between pitches, but not to go for a walkabout.

#2 - Limit manager replay challenges and make them more high-stakes....allow only one manager challenge per game, no "booth reviews" after the 7th inning that don't cost a manager their challenge, and no more "did the runner come off the base for a millisecond mid-slide" challenges on tag plays. If any part of the runner is on or over the base, he's safe...period.

#3 - Limit mid-inning pitching changes to one per game. You can make as many pitching changes as you like in between innings, since those do not delay the game, but only one mid-inning change per game. Nothing slows the game down and is more boring to watch than a reliever "parade"

[RandysHobby]

Originally Posted by mfw13

In no particular order:

#1 - stop allowing hitters to call time and step out of the box at the last minute. Each time a hitter does this it delays the game by 30+ seconds, and hitters do it a lot. One of the highlights of the postseason for me was when a batter asked for time just as the pitcher was winding up (it was a Dodger, don't remember which series), the ump didn't give it to him, and he took strike three right down the middle. Likewise, the batter is allowed one foot out of the box between pitches, but not to go for a walkabout.

#2 - Limit manager replay challenges and make them more high-stakes....allow only one manager challenge per game, no "booth reviews" after the 7th inning that don't cost a manager their challenge, and no more "did the runner come off the base for a millisecond mid-slide" challenges on tag plays. If any part of the runner is on or over the base, he's safe...period.

#3 - Limit mid-inning pitching changes to one per game. You can make as many pitching changes as you like in between innings, since those do not delay the game, but only one mid-inning change per game. Nothing slows the game down and is more boring to watch than a reliever "parade"

Only one I like is #3, which I am a BIG fan of.

[anusinha]

Yeah, I hate the endless parade of relievers pitching to 1 batter and then coming out. Ruins the flow of the game.

[teosdesserts]

Number 3 will only be disliked by managers

[Zsk7687]

#1 - as much as I enjoyed watching Machado take that called strike 3 while he stepped out, I disagree. You put the control of pace entirely in the pitcher's hand.

#2 - I'd love to see challenges removed and leave the calls solely in the hands of the umpires. But there absolutely needs to be reviews to hold umps accountable. (I'm looking at Angel and Joe)

#3 - I'm torn. I understand the strategic pitching changes, but damn I want to see starters going past the 5th or 6th like the days of old.

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[ThoseBackPages]

nothing wrong with baseball

[Zsk7687]

Originally Posted by ThoseBackPages

nothing wrong with baseball

This guy gets it.

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[Hollywood42]

"Pace of play" is such a manufactured topic by Manfred

[KCfan1985]

Limiting the number of pitchers per inning is ridiculous. Yes, pitching changes are annoying and limiting them might save time. It would also be a terrible change of the game. A manager has a roster of players. It is up to him how to use them.

And does leaving in an ineffective pitcher really save more time than bringing in a new pitcher? BUT WE HAVE TO SAVE TIME!

Here's a reasonable one: Limit the number of warm-up pitches. They've already warmed up in the bullpen. Get on with it.

[r0yals2012]

Nothing wrong with baseball, keep it how it is. I hope Manfred doesn't tinker with it anymore or add any dumb nonsense to the game this year.

[jdandns]

Two-strike strikeouts.
Three ball walks.
Two-out innings.
6 inning games.
81 game seasons.
1 game Division Series.
3 game Championship Series.
5 game World Series.

[base set]

The Strike 3 on Machado also my favorite post-season highlight. Since such a decision is already up to the Umpire, not sure what could change. Maybe only allow Batter to call time immediately after a swing, and only then.

Replay: don’t let the crew in NY know the call on the field unless it is seen in the video anyway, for one. Just ask them for a call based on video evidence. Would lessen reluctance to overturn a colleague’s decision.

I agree that the call should be on which arrived first - the ball, or the runner; continuous contact with the base should not be a factor. But that opens up a grey area - how far from the base can the runner go?

Accountability: I know MLB keeps track of reversed calls but doesn’t publish the results. I am surprised no fan site doesn’t just do it anyway to put pressure on MLB.

Did any team get caught attempting to visit the mound more than 6 times this year? I wonder how many even hit 6?

I thought they introduced a pitch clock somewhere in MiLB already? Maybe I am confusing that with restrictions on hitters leaving the box / calling time - I thought the idea was to bring it along at all levels below MLB until very few MLB players would not have experience with such.

I mostly listen to baseball on the radio; time has no meaning.

[hatchd]

Is anyone under 30 that's saying "there's nothing wrong with baseball"? There is absolutely something wrong with baseball - too many old people, not enough young people. The game has to go quicker.

Combine #1 above with a pitch clock that actually has consequences and it takes the control away from the pitcher.

If a batter touches his batting gloves between pitches that he didn't swing at he gets a strike called on him.

A reliever gets 3 warm up pitches when he comes in.

Replay goes to the college football rules. No challenges, reviews are called by an ump watching the game.

I'd love be to see things like limiting pitcher changes, limiting consecutive pick off attempts, limiting the number of times a pitcher can step off for no reason, and a few others I can't think of right now, but these just fundamentally change the game too much.

In the end you have to eliminate 4-5 hour 9 inning playoff games at a minimum. It's supposed to be the most exciting time of the year for baseball and half the country has to decide on being well rested for work or watching a game between two teams they may not care about. I absolutely love baseball, and my bed won every time.

[tier1dc]

Originally Posted by ThoseBackPages

nothing wrong with baseball

Agree.

Would like to see MLB try a pilot program to explore computer umpired game. Exhibition, Spring Training, AFL. Interested to see how an increase in call efficiency might improve the game.

[ThoseBackPages]

Originally Posted by hatchd

Is anyone under 30 that's saying "there's nothing wrong with baseball"? There is absolutely something wrong with baseball - too many old people, not enough young people. The game has to go quicker.

Combine #1 above with a pitch clock that actually has consequences and it takes the control away from the pitcher.

If a batter touches his batting gloves between pitches that he didn't swing at he gets a strike called on him.

A reliever gets 3 warm up pitches when he comes in.

Replay goes to the college football rules. No challenges, reviews are called by an ump watching the game.

I'd love be to see things like limiting pitcher changes, limiting consecutive pick off attempts, limiting the number of times a pitcher can step off for no reason, and a few others I can't think of right now, but these just fundamentally change the game too much.

In the end you have to eliminate 4-5 hour 9 inning playoff games at a minimum. It's supposed to be the most exciting time of the year for baseball and half the country has to decide on being well rested for work or watching a game between two teams they may not care about. I absolutely love baseball, and my bed won every time.

then move all the teams to the east coast.

[Chicharito]

What younger generations will like and the older generations are gonna hate:

Bat flip contest in the all-star weekend.

[hatchd]

Originally Posted by ThoseBackPages

then move all the teams to the east coast.

Having the west coast miss an hour at the beginning of the game is way less intrusive than having people in the Midwest and east coast miss the end of the game. You're trying to create excitement here. You do that by having people watch the end of good games.

[ALBASKETBALL]

Hire Mark Buehrle as a consultant. Dude would pitch a game in 2 hours

[Zsk7687]

Not enough slam dunks or touchdowns for ya? If you want fast-paced, non-stop action there are other sports to feed that desire. That's not baseball.

Excuse me, but there are some clouds floating by that need yelling at.

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[no10pin]

I'm fine with 1 & 2, but I hate #3 as much as I did all of the other times you've suggested it. That fundamentally changes strategy of the game.

Cut down on time between innings, cut down on delays for no reason between pitches, cut down on waiting on managers deciding if they want to challenge. There are plenty of other ways too, but limiting the amount of pitching changes during an inning gives a decided advantage to the team batting.

[3of5-2]

I'm over 30 so I'm old enough to know there ain't nothing wrong with baseball.

[premium1981]

They could implement a mercy rule. If anyone is up 10+ runs the game is over. Additionally, if anyone is scheduled to play the Marlins or the Orioles the game is over. Give the other team an automatic victory. The overall average pace of play would be lowered significantly.

In all seriousness, the pace of play isn't the issue. It is how baseball is marketed. How many commercials do we see when watching a regular tv show at night? You see football, basketball, and even soccer. But I rarely see any baseball advertising. The game is lucky to have some exciting young talent right now that we have rarely, if ever, seen. Trout, Harper, Kershaw, Acuna, Soto, Stanton, Altuve, etc. The list goes on and on. Fix the games and fix the attendance issues by properly marketing the game of baseball.

[Stech36]

Get rid of replays, except on home run calls. That would speed up the game. Replays add exactly zero excitement and entertainment value to the game. Players and coaches arguing about calls adds excitement, entertainment, and emotion.

[DdhMoco]

Originally Posted by no10pin

I'm fine with 1 & 2, but I hate #3 as much as I did all of the other times you've suggested it. That fundamentally changes strategy of the game.

Cut down on time between innings

Cant do that. The time between innings is where the $$ is made in advertising.

[no10pin]

Originally Posted by DdhMoco

Cant do that. The time between innings is where the $$ is made in advertising.

I'm well aware of that, but they managed to figure out how to squeeze in commercials between pitches during the WS. If they are serious about wanting a shorter game, they have to bite the bullet.