MLB's Pace Of Play Not Improved So Far In '19 Despite Rule Changes

New pace-of-play rules added this season included a limit on mound visitsGETTY IMAGES

Through more than a quarter of the current MLB season, nine-inning games have "lasted 3 hours and 2 minutes on average," up from an even 3 hours in '18 despite "new rules adopted before this season that shortened the amount of time between innings and reduced the number of mound visits" per game, according to Zielonka & Driver of the WASHINGTON TIMES. It is "still early, and the statistical sample is small," but the longer games so far "may be a sign more drastic fixes are needed to arrest the sport's ongoing time-creep." Fans also "seem to be getting restless," as attendance this season is "down for most" franchises. MLB is "notoriously slow to adapt its game, but impactful rule changes aren't unheard of." If this year's "relatively minor rules changes don't make a dent, more noticeable changes could soon do the job" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 5/23).