MLB Wants To Shave More Time Off Games, Proposes Revised Rule Changes In 2024
Major League Baseball may not be done tinkering with its rules.
MLB's competition committee is considering a proposal to reduce the pitch clock with runners on base to 18 seconds from 20 seconds in 2024, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.
Sources told Passan the aim is to curb a trend of games lasting longer as the 2023 season progressed.
The 11-person competition committee includes four players, an umpire, and six members representing the 30 teams. An additional proposal being discussed is reducing mound visits from five to four per game.
On-field rules can be implemented by the committee after a 45-day notice to players. Sources told ESPN that players are mulling the proposals and plan to address the committee with suggestions on the changes.
The pitch clock was implemented in 2023 to help reduce the length of games and it worked. The average game time (including all extra-inning games) dropped to 2 hours, 42 minutes from 3 hours, 6 minutes in 2022. The average nine-inning game was reduced to 2:39 from 3:03.
But game times increased throughout the season "as hitters and pitchers adjusted to the new rules, which allow hitters one timeout per plate appearance and pitchers two disengagements from the mound with runners on," ESPN reported.
Average game times increased from 2:37 in April to 2:44 by September.
The 15-second clock without runners on base would remain the same, sources said.
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