Are Baseball Games Getting Longer? Exploring The Lengthening Of Americas Pastime

Why have the durations of baseball games significantly decreased in recent times? This transformation has been attributed to several key alterations introduced by Major League Baseball (MLB) during the offseason, as reported by the Deseret News. These changes encompass the implementation of a pitch clock, the enlargement of bases, and the imposition of restrictions on infield shifts. The objective behind these adjustments was to bring about shorter games characterized by heightened offensive action, including an uptick in stolen bases. Data from April 11, 2023, underscores the success of these modifications, highlighting the positive impact they’ve had on the pace and excitement of MLB contests.

Are MLB games becoming shorter? Yes, it appears so. Thanks to the implementation of pitch timers in the early stages of the new season, we are witnessing a positive impact on the pace of play. These timers have significantly reduced the downtime between pitches, leading to a smoother flow of the game. As a direct consequence, the duration of baseball games has decreased noticeably. On average, compared to the previous season, the games are now 25 minutes shorter. This reduction means you have an extra 25 minutes to allocate to various other activities in your life. This development was observed as of April 5, 2023.

Have baseball games become quicker this year? Yes, they certainly have. During the first two-plus months of the 2023 season, the average game duration has clocked in at 2 hours and 40 minutes. This is a significant departure from the extended game times seen in recent years, notably in 2022 with an average of 3 hours and 6 minutes, and in 2021, when games lasted an average of 3 hours and 11 minutes. This reduction in game length is reminiscent of the pace seen in the early 1980s, marking a notable shift in the sport’s tempo as of June 29, 2023.