It’s time to officially recognize it: MLB wanted games to be quicker and the pace to be faster, and they found the perfect way to achieve it.
The implementation of the pitch clock has worked wonders with that purpose in mind.
As it turns out, fans have been more than happy about eliminating half-an-hour worth of pitchers shaking off the catcher, and hitters making sure their batting gloves are fine.
Thanks to the always reliable folks at Codify Baseball, we now have a glimpse of how much time games took, on average, in five-year spans.
Look at 2023, and you will see a similar pace as 40, 45 years ago.
Average MLB game times:
1958 —> 2:31
1963 —> 2:30
1968 —> 2:33
1973 —> 2:30
1978 —> 2:30
1983 —> 2:40
1988 —> 2:49
1993 —> 2:52
1998 —> 2:52
2003 —> 2:49
2008 —> 2:55
2013 —> 3:04
2018 —> 3:04
2023 —> 2:39— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) April 17, 2023
As we got closer to the new millennium, the increased focus on strikeouts and pitchers taking their time to reach full focus and throw max effort (stamina is important in that regard) were factors in the slower pace of games.
The three hours and four minutes on average that games took in 2013 and 2018 were enough for MLB to seek a change.
It’s easier to sell the product to TV companies if it doesn’t last so long and if fans are engaged.
Those two reality shows have been fulfilled this year.
The game as a whole is healthier than ever: the World Baseball Classic averaged all-time highs in attendance and ratings, and the pitch clock wasn’t even used in the competition.
MLB has used some of that momentum to keep ratings high; and fans of all generations are now enjoying the game without long, unnecessary breaks.
The evidence is undeniable: the pitch clock has been a good addition to the game.
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