A sizable percentage of baseball fans had complained over the years that MLB games were too long.
On average, they used to exceed three hours and were close to four sometimes.
This was the case until this season, when the league decided to implement a series of rule changes to make the game quicker, faster, and more exciting for younger audiences.
The implementation of a pitch clock trimmed the average duration of the game significantly, and the difference has been notable in the postseason.
“3 of the 4 Wild Card games yesterday finished in 166 minutes or less (they took 160, 161, 166, and 216 minutes). Of the 222 postseason games from 2017-2022, only 6 finished in 166 minutes or less,” Codify Baseball tweeted.
3 of the 4 Wild Card games yesterday finished in 166 minutes or less (they took 160, 161, 166, and 216 minutes).
Of the 222 postseason games from 2017-2022, only 6 finished in 166 minutes or less.
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) October 4, 2023
That stat is pretty telling: three of the games were around the 2:40 mark, which fans have found more than tolerable as a whole in 2023.
There will always be exceptions to the rule (hence the 216-minute game) but generally speaking, even playoff games have been faster, eliminating some of the “dead” time between pitches.
When postseason TV ratings numbers are published, we will likely see a spike in comparison to past playoff editions.
That’s because fans are interested and engaged in the product, and they are more willing to watch a game that lasts 2:40 than one that approaches four hours.
We have criticized MLB a lot over the years, and for good reason.
However, it’s also fair to recognize that the idea (and the means used) of making the pace of the game a bit faster has been positive.
It might have also contributed to more injuries, though, but that’s a discussion for another day.
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