Four foul balls, you're out.

Baseball for thought: If Team A and just demolishing Team B, have a run rule like high school. If Team A is beating Team B by 10+ runs then call the game in the 5th or 6th inning. Once a team starts running away with a game, the viewers will get up and start leaving and people will start turning something else on the tv.

 

Doesn't happen enough to make a significant difference.

The first move to me would be to shorten the season dramatically. Personally I'm okay with the 3 hour baseball games but 162 game season featuring games like that will cause many people to burn out over the season. They need to shorten the season and make the games more meaningful.

 

You guys do realize that the beer would be cut off in the 5th inning if your idea came to fruition. :arghh:

Aside from its enconomic structure baseball doesn't need fixing.

You guys do realize that the beer would be cut off in the 5th inning if your idea came to fruition. :arghh:

 

at $12 a beer we would be saving money that way.

at $12 a beer we would be saving money that way.

 

Yeah, I hear 'ya. :lol2:

Some change is good but changing to seven innings is like ripping the fabric of the game.

 

I think one pitching change per inning would be a positive change. Too many specialists, lets see these guys earn their money while saving tons of time.

Aside from its enconomic structure baseball doesn't need fixing.

 

Agree

Worst idea ever...There is nothing wrong with the length of games.

You guys do realize that the beer would be cut off in the 5th inning if your idea came to fruition. :arghh:

 

And you guys know that MJ sure doesn't like that idea.

Limit warmup pitches between innings (however TV would hate this because they couldn't squeeze the gajillion commercials in). Limit number of times you can step out of batter's box. Time limit on pitchers delivering to the plate (and stick to it). Limit visits to the mound (coaches and infielders). Now, would this help "speed" the game along? Maybe a tiny bit. I just think baseball is not conducive to a set clock.

Limit warmup pitches between innings (however TV would hate this because they couldn't squeeze the gajillion commercials in). Limit number of times you can step out of batter's box. Time limit on pitchers delivering to the plate (and stick to it). Limit visits to the mound (coaches and infielders). Now, would this help "speed" the game along? Maybe a tiny bit. I just think baseball is not conducive to a set clock.

 

Exactly.

 

Time of the World Series games in 4-0 sweep in 1976:

2:10

2:33

2:40

2:36

 

Time of World Series games in 4-0 sweep in 2012:

3:26

3:05

3:25

3:34

Didn't Major League Baseball make an effort to expedite the pace of play last year (or the year before?)

 

I seem to recall the average length was roughly 2 hours & 15 mins. It seemed to be working well, but it has been forgotten.

Exactly.

 

Time of the World Series games in 4-0 sweep in 1976:

2:10

2:33

2:40

2:36

 

Time of World Series games in 4-0 sweep in 2012:

3:26

3:05

3:25

3:34

 

I'd be curious to know how many commercials were ran and how much time they took.