The real reasons why baseball games take forever...

[JohnU]

I watched the Rockies pitcher today who walked around the mound after every pitch, stood there and stared at his infield and then decided to bend over to take a look in for the signal, stood there another 10 seconds and took a 10-second stretch with the slowest guy on the team standing 3 feet off first base with 2 outs. Naturally the count went full with 2 foul balls before the hitter popped it up.

 

[black francis]

its the shitty strike zone

 

[black francis]

People pay good money to go to a game
Why the fuck are they so anxious for it to be over?

If you buy a prostitute for an hour, are you done and gone after 5 minutes?

I'm sure some of you fags are

 

[black francis]

HURRY THE FUCK UP!!!!!!!!! SOME OF US HAVE VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[soxfan1468927]

People pay good money to go to a game
Why the fuck are they so anxious for it to be over?

If you buy a prostitute for an hour, are you done and gone after 5 minutes?

I'm sure some of you fags are

If you're a fag, wouldn't it take longer than 5 minutes?

 

[black francis]

If you're a fag, wouldn't it take longer than 5 minutes?

valid point.

If you get a prostitute for an hour, do you only get to shoot one nut, or do you get to shoot as many times as you want until your hour is up?

Ive never bought a prostitute, so don't know.

 

[broncosmitty]

About a third of ABs end in a walk, K, or HBP.


Maybe stress to these young players that making contact is less boring? And that no good hooker charges by the hour.

 

[soxfan1468927]

valid point.

If you get a prostitute for an hour, do you only get to shoot one nut, or do you get to shoot as many times as you want until your hour is up?

Ive never bought a prostitute, so don't know.

I believe they prefer the leasing option, and I have no clue. I assume her companionship is for the whole hour.

 

[tducey]

I also don't like fouling of pitches when there's 2 strikes. After 3 like that it should be considered a strikeout.

 

[redseat]

10 run first innings like the Pirates just did to the Cubs today?

 

[broncosmitty]

I also don't like fouling of pitches when there's 2 strikes. After 3 like that it should be considered a strikeout.

I'm a big fan of ghosties personally.

 

[The Derski]

Limit the number of relief pitchers in an inning. Actually enforce the time between pitches rule. (There is one, right?) get hitters to get in the box without adjusting everything from their hair to their jock strap.

Not sure how much time that would save but it would help.

My absolute worst pet peeve is a primadonna pitcher taking forever to throw the damn ball. Especially relief pitchers that only have one or two pitches.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

The biggest issue is douche nozzles like David Ortiz (thank God he's gone) having to fucking re-strap every fucking piece of armor and adjusting every little thing every time a ball is pitched. I get it's a routine and probably sets his mind at ease, but fucking a, get up there and fucking swing you fucker.

 

[AlpacaWine]

discuss

Who cares if the games take a while. It's baseball. If the length of the games bothers you that much, then just watch 5 or 6 innings and call it a night.

In this day and age of data and analytics, all sports are getting smarter and more strategic. It just feels like it's worse in baseball because the teams are not beholdent to a shot clock or play clock.

Games take a little longer because both sides are able to be more strategic. It's the fabric of MLB. Not sure why pockets of fans are so bothered by it.

 

[AlpacaWine]

The biggest issue is douche nozzles like David Ortiz (thank God he's gone) having to fucking re-strap every fucking piece of armor and adjusting every little thing every time a ball is pitched. I get it's a routine and probably sets his mind at ease, but fucking a, get up there and fucking swing you fucker.

I think that it is the same dynamic as why these guys have to always be chewing on bubble gum or sunflower seeds or tobacco constantly. The game is so deliberate, they need to be doing something to keep their bodies busy.

These guys can't go 15 seconds without spitting when they're on the field. Yet, I'm sure they have no problem cooking breakfast for their families every morning without spitting all over their kitchen floor.

Psychology of the game within the game.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

I think that it is the same dynamic as why these guys have to always be chewing on bubble gum or sunflower seeds or tobacco constantly. The game is so deliberate, they need to be doing something to keep their bodies busy.

These guys can't go 15 seconds without spitting when they're on the field. Yet, I'm sure they have no problem cooking breakfast for their families every morning without spitting all over their kitchen floor.

Psychology of the game within the game.

Oh I get it... doesn't mean I have to like it. Spit and chew sunflower seeds or gum all you want. Don't take 5-10 minutes every at bat because you have to adjust all your shit.

 

[soxfan1468927]

Who cares if the games take a while. It's baseball. If the length of the games bothers you that much, then just watch 5 or 6 innings and call it a night.

In this day and age of data and analytics, all sports are getting smarter and more strategic. It just feels like it's worse in baseball because the teams are not beholdent to a shot clock or play clock.

Games take a little longer because both sides are able to be more strategic. It's the fabric of MLB. Not sure why pockets of fans are so bothered by it.

I don't understand why people aren't bothered by it. The rule is that you have 12 seconds to throw the ball. Why should we be okay that pitchers blatantly break that rule? The game isn't taking longer because of strategy, it's taking longer because no one is enforcing the rules that are already in place. And "it's baseball" isn't an argument. The game is 20 minutes longer than it was just 20 years ago.

 

[AlpacaWine]

I don't understand why people aren't bothered by it. The rule is that you have 12 seconds to throw the ball. Why should we be okay that pitchers blatantly break that rule? The game isn't taking longer because of strategy, it's taking longer because no one is enforcing the rules that are already in place. And "it's baseball" isn't an argument. The game is 20 minutes longer than it was just 20 years ago.

It's 20 seconds, isn't it?

And yes, there are pitchers and hitters who take their sweet time.

But the "get on base and make pitchers work" Moneyball (onfield) style that the Red Sox popularized is IMO, the biggest reason for the games slowdown. Hitters take pitches. They aren't as aggressive early in the count.

Any chance you have a line to find average pitches per at bat over the past few decades? I'd guess that line is a direct overlap with the increases in game times.

 

[DirtDirtDirt]

Visits to the mound could be limited

Gary Sanchez must visit the mound 3 times an inning

 

[soxfan1468927]

It's 20 seconds, isn't it?

And yes, there are pitchers and hitters who take their sweet time.

But the "get on base and make pitchers work" Moneyball (onfield) style that the Red Sox popularized is IMO, the biggest reason for the games slowdown. Hitters take pitches. They aren't as aggressive early in the count.

Any chance you have a line to find average pitches per at bat over the past few decades? I'd guess that line is a direct overlap with the increases in game times.

"Rule 8.04 requires the pitcher to deliver the ball to the batter within 12 seconds after he receives the ball with the bases unoccupied."

That rule is absolutely abused.

The furthest I can go back to get pitch-by-pitch data is 2002 on fangraphs. And since 2002, pitches per plate appearance have increased about 4.05% while the length of game has increased 7.39%. So there are certainly more factors than just that.