Will the American past time be around in 50 years? Well unless people start living well past 100 years old, the answer is maybe at best. The average baseball fan was 57 in 2016, up from 52 in 2000. It’s scary and sad to think about a world without baseball, but the millennial generation just doesn’t seem as interested.
One of my favorite things to do is to go to a major league baseball game, have a hotdog and relax. But now the games are so long with an average time over 3 hours. Pitchers are taking an average of 20 seconds between pitches which gives me plenty of time to get a drink from a vendor walking through the stands or talk to friends, but makes it hard to watch a game at home.
However, the length of games is becoming a detriment to the sport. Average game time is over three hours, a player’s at bat can last over 3 minutes if it’s a full count and he makes a few foul tips. This decreases the action of the game, because it takes longer for the ball to be put in play. This lack of action is difficult to sell in today’s world of instant gratification. Want to know something, anything, well “google it.” Want food, well click Uber Eats or some other app, I could go on.
But no worries baseball, my friend Alex Hicks has a solution for all of your problems that will increase attendance, decrease game time and create more action! His plan is simple, instead of starting the pitch count at no balls, no strikes (0-0), start it at a 3-2 count and increase the probability the pitcher will throw a strike and the batter will swing. This seemed silly to me at first but I did some research. Since baseball is the most analytical sport, it didn’t take long to find information.
Batters only swing 27% of the time on a 0-0 count, however they swing 74% of
the time on a 3-2 count and put the ball in play 44% of the time on a 3-2
count. This strategy has several benefits. First off, it would decrease the
speed of the game tremendously, it would also force the fan to be engaged
constantly. Lets face it, we all know
that most likely no one is swinging at the first pitch. I was surprised the
percentage was 27%. This would increase
viewing complete games on TV because its difficult for people to make time for
a 3 hour stop in their day, it would also decrease the dead silence from
announcers who are giving the play by play during a baseball game and drastically
increase the number of complete games thrown by pitchers, who are typically the
stars of the team. Less pitches thrown means those stars can pitch on fewer
days rest, allowing them to pitch more games and give fans more opportunities
to see their favorite ace. This would make MLB ability to market players the
way the NBA does easier, maybe sell more jerseys. Important fact, this would
not eliminate the closer, who can also be a star for the league and a team.
Besides pitching, it changes the offensive strategy of the game. It would bring back small ball, the brand of baseball I love watching because there is more action, not simply a few guys trying to hit homeruns. You have guys getting base hits, stealing bases and putting pressure on the opposing teams defense to constantly make plays.
For you hardcore baseball geeks or coaches, this rule change would do away with the trajectory batting swing and take us back to the days when hitters threw their hands at the ball. ESPN would be able to bring back one of my all time favorite segments, WebGems, where they would show outstanding fielding defensive plays. I haven’t seen that segment in years, and I don’t think ESPN wanted to do away with it, they had too for lack of content.
Since we all know MLB will never make such a drastic change, here is the MoreSize Sports answer. Change the count to a 2-1 format, this would give the fan like myself to watch how pitchers and teams strategize, also give fans a break from having to be glued in constantly, while making it faster for other fans. Pitchers would still be pitching more innings if not complete games because they are not just wasting 20 “first pitches” a game that a batter isn’t swinging at. Changing to the 2-1 format increases the chance of a batter swinging to 59% of the time and putting the ball in play 44% of the time. This also doesn’t completely rob the game of the deep ball, because power hitters will still have at least one good swing in an attempt to literally hit one to the moon.
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I like the less drastic approach 2-1 or just 1-1. Perhaps leave the count alone and just do away with foul balls. That would send the message from the fans and the league that we intend for you to hit the ball into play. Older fans still want to see the pitcher batter strategy at work but would certainly be happy with the ball in play more. There may be other ways to increase the ball in play. Let’s hear more ideas and then have people bring case for and against each. Hopefully cases that will promote one of the ideas or what we like about a couple of them. It’s too easy to just hate, you’ll need something to real to talk about.
I’m one of the older fans that like to see the pitcher work the plate and tempt a batter because the pitcher is allotted three balls. Greg Maddux was and still is my favorite pitcher, he worked the plate like no one I have ever seen, but at the same time games were fast cause he threw strikes and challenged the batter.
I like the ability of a batter to be able to foul a ball off, to extend an at bat to get the pitch they want and thats fun to watch. With that said, because of the level of difficulty hitting a major league pitcher I don’t think I could penalize someone for a foul ball. A good thought though, and more people may agree with you than me; and that’s what this article is about. What is best for the game long-term by bringing in a new generation of fans. MLB needs to take a note from NBA and tailor the game to interest fans.
I like the pitch clock. Wish MLB would roll on this. College baseball and minor leagues already do, and I think MLB did it in spring training.
The pitch count is a start I would like to see too! It would definitely be kept even if the rules we suggested were adopted. Our suggestions would not only improved the overall time of the game, but would also improved the action during the game.
Thanks for the comment!
My thought was a 2-2 count not full. that way the pitcher gets one set up pitch and their are still some head games going on with the batter. As the rules are now The picture versus batter duel is played out because they get too many pitches to battle. The picture is using all his balls to force the batter to swing at a pitch he can’t hit, trying to strike the batter out and the batter is trying to get ahead in the count so he can get a pitch he can try to drive the ball out of the park. it’s boring, what you end up watching is the pitcher and catcher playing catch for 3+ hours. I need more action, I believe with 2-2 count you’ll get the matchup I am most interested in and that is ball versus fielder. I want to see players making plays.
I wonder if the 2-2 count would also increase the number of steals attempted? Because you don’t have the pitch out threat. That will also increase movement and action.
Thats a great thought, you would def get more players attempting to steal because they will simply be getting a head start because the batter will most likely be putting the ball in play.