We all know game length is a problem, but how do we fix it.
I have a 5 Rule Plan, and it would be easy to implement.
Rule 1: Instant replays that take more than two minutes from start of review will be upheld and umpires must enforce the rule of 30 seconds to initiate a challenge. (Not so much a rule but more an enforcement)
Replay times have taken a toll on game length. The shortest replays being under a minute while some of the longest have been five minutes plus. Assuming one challenge per game, this could save about 3 minutes since the manager takes approx 1-2 minutes to decide, and the replay has been on the longer side recently, so I estimate this will shave one to 2 minutes off replay itself (Double these numbers for two challenges and triple for three), and would help the pitcher stay loose if the challenge came mid-inning. Replay being added to the game was a major improvement for me, and it prevented lots of arguing that would have happened in place of the replay. That being said, lots of people say replay has added significant time to the game. But I disagree, The arguing the players and managers would have done would equal the same, maybe more time added to the game. But we have a soltuion to the problem, all it needs is simple action.
Rule 2: After injury, the player and manager have maximum two minutes to decide whether the player will resume play in the game, or be removed. If the umpire is not informed of the decision after the two minutes, the player will be removed from the game.
Injury breaks take a long time. They can be shortened. Understandably if a player gets injured and it is immediately known they must be taken out of the game on stretcher or need time before standing and walking off, there is nothing we can do about that. But, for the less significant injuries like thumb blisters, maybe a slight sprain, possibly a bit of general pain, they take a bit of time to get up and resume play, especially for pitchers. This is a simple, effective change that will reduce 2-4 minutes off some games.
Rule: 3 An intentional walk will be signaled by the catcher by asking for an intentional walk from the home plate umpire. No pitches will be thrown. The umpire will call time, and award first base to the batter.
This one is great in so many aspects, first of all it saves about 1-2 minutes per walk. Second with all these fancy stupid pitch counts, but that's for another day, this will save four pitches per walk for the pitcher, and that is a good amount for one inning. Intentional walks are unnecessary, and while I am sad to see them go as a part of the game, this will have no direct effect on anything but pitch count and it will reduce time of the game, which is good.
Rule 4: The batter will have 12 seconds to get in the box, at the start of the at bat. The pitcher will have 12 seconds to throw each pitch in the at bat, when no runners are on. If the batter is not in the box by 12 seconds for the initial pitch of the at bat an automatic strike will be called, and if the pitcher does not throw the pitch in 12 seconds, an automatic ball will be called If a pitcher-coach or pitcher-catcher meeting occurs, time will be called and the rule will not be in effect. Refer to rule five for pitcher meeting rules.
This rule is going to shave off massive amounts of time, estimated 10-20 minutes per 9 inning game. The rule is simple. The effects large. This cuts down wasted time by the pitcher and catcher and forces the game to simply be played.
Rule: 5 There will be maximum one mound visit per inning performed by either the catcher, or a coach. This does not include pitching changes or injury visits.
This rule will take off an estimated 2-3 minutes per game and will have a slight effect on the game, but it does not have to. More signs can be made by coaches to make up for the missed mound visits.
Result: The 2 hours 56 minute average per game will likely reduce (Using the lower scale of estimates) by 20 minutes per game! That would reduce to approx. an average 2 hour 36 minute game. That is one hell of a difference! Now imagine if I could convince MLB and the owners to shorten commercial inning break time. In my dreams!
MLB Projected Length
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2 hours 36 minutes
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Neutral
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NFL 2015 Avg. Length
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3 hours 9 minutes
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+33 Minutes more than Baseball
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NBA 2014 Avg. Length
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2 hours 15 minutes
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-21 Minutes less than baseball
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NHL 2015 Avg. Length
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2 hours 20 minutes
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-16 Minutes less than baseball
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Sources: http://www.oregonlive.com/nfl/index.ssf/2015/11/nfl_games_running_longer_than.html
http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/mlb-game-average-length-increase-how-to-fix-051716
http://insideedgehockeynews.com/national-hockey-league/nhl-game-time/
http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/news/nba-baseline-game-length-average-game-time-rod-thorn-d-league/1ehs3cn9iii261xgs5hxv4p9bn
