Baseball games are too long

[frankbmd]

6 innings

[HercDriver]

I'd say go watch a movie, but they're all over three hours now, too. I can't watch a movie on my couch anymore, without falling asleep from a long day. But I can watch baseball. I haven't watched an NFL game in years, because of how slow that is, but it's annoyingly slow...where baseball is more strategically slow, perhaps. And you can always score eight runs in the 9th inning to win it. Don't change a thing...except getting rid of the DH.

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

6 innings

Good idea Frank

Maybe we would see a few complete games again.

Keep all the one inning and one batter relievers on the roster, but limit them to one pitch each. Avoid the time spent changing pitchers by having them line up behind the mound. If they throw a strike, allow them to go the end of the line.

[HercDriver]

Coach pitch.

[TimCarrollArt]

I'm good with the way things are. If there are going to be any changes, I would only be happy with ones that increased strategy within the game while shaving time. Example?

Limit pickoff attempts/throwovers to 2 per runner per base (or 3 the entire time he is on). Once the pitcher has thrown over his max times, he can't throw over or step off (balk called). Pitchers will have to pick and choose their attempts wisely. I think this will also cause an uptick in the running game, which I also love.

[JollyElm]

The length of the game is really just evolution at work. For example, in the 'old' days, pitchers used to pitch a great number of complete games or go much deeper into games, so there wasn't all of this craziness of throwing a lefty in to only face one left-handed batter, then putting in another reliever and so on and so on. Look at how the ancillary parts of the game continually change (compare how perfectly manicured the fields are today compared to the 70's and earlier, or how a pitched ball hitting the dirt is immediately thrown out of play, and I won't even mention instant replay). I'm not a fan of longer games (unless I'm in the stadium), but we have to realize that yesterday is gone and chances are the games are going to continue to get longer. Over-regulation (time clocks, etc.) will ruin it, because there is an inherent, some would say beautiful, languidity to the game. Ultimately, the best move will probably be to DVR the games and FF through the commercials, mound visits, etc.