Quote:
Originally Posted by professor ape
When I was growing up in the 80s, the average game was generally around 2h40m to 2h45m. The average game is now over three hours. Granted that about ten minutes is due to longer commercial breaks, but we are still talking about 10-15 minutes of extra time. The problem with this is that there are essentially the same number of plate appearances per game which means 10-15 extra minutes of inaction during play.
I’m all for the 30 second clock but more for the batters who mess around between every pitch. Your job is to be ready to hit. Get on with it.
|
I also think that it was a different game in the 80s. You had an element of the game which is an endangered species today: speed. The National League had ballparks in Montreal, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Houston which were the infamous "cookie-cutter", multi-purpose stadiums with AstroTurf. Some of those teams had guys who stole more bases individually than most teams do now. It was a faster-paced game then with stolen bases, hit-and-runs, bunts, etc. In the American League, you didn't have as many teams utilizing this strategy, but Toronto, Minnesota, Kansas City and Seattle did especially the Royals.
I don't think fans have a problem with a leisurely pace; it's the lethargic pace they dislike.