The efforts implemented this season in MLB and MiLB concerning pace of play have "become the norm and are having at least a modest impact," according to Casey & Berkman of the N.Y. TIMES. MLB Senior VP/League Economics & Strategy Chris Marinak said that the average length of a nine-inning MLB game has dropped "from 3 hours 2 minutes in 2014 (the first time it had been over 3 hours) to 2:54." That the eight-minute drop is the "biggest decline in game time" since '63. Meanwhile, the introduction of a 20-second pitch clock in the minors is "helping to move things along," and the drop in game time "has generally been even larger" than in the majors. Through games on Aug. 17, the average length of a nine-inning game in the Triple-A Int'l League "had fallen to 2:41, from 2:56" in '14, a 15-minute decline that "was the biggest among the minor leagues." Right behind "was the Class AAA Pacific Coast League, with a drop to 2:45 from 2:58." In Double-A, the Eastern League "shaved off 12 minutes (2:38 from 2:50) and the Southern League, 11 minutes (2:41 from 2:52)." Only the Double-A Texas League "stood apart: The average length of its games fell just five minutes from 2:51" in '14. Casey & Berkman: "In any case, a change seemed to be occurring everywhere clocks were being used." Meanwhile, regarding the amount of discipline for pace of play violations "doled out" at the major-league level, MLB VP/Communications Michael Teevan "declined recently to release figures on fines or warning letters." However, the MLBPA "shed some light on the matter." MLBPA Dir of Communications Greg Bouris said, "We’re pleased with the adjustments players have made to help improve the pace of play." As to what MLB players thought of the new measures, "most seemed supportive enough." A survey two weekends ago of the Mets’ locker room "did not turn up any players who knew of someone who had been fined." But warnings "were a different matter" (N.Y. TIMES, 8/24).
FAST COMPANY: In N.Y., Amber Jamieson notes the Mets "play the fastest games in the Major Leagues, averaging just two hours and 46 minutes for a nine-inning game this season," which is "15 minutes shorter than last year’s average." The Rays this year have "shaved nearly 21 minutes off their game time" (N.Y. POST, 8/24).
