MLB Games Are Taking Longer Again, and It's Not Just Because of ABS
Sports Illustrated • • sports
Key Points:
- MLB nine-inning games this season are averaging six minutes longer than the same number of games last year, reaching the longest average game time in four seasons under the pitch timer.
- The ABS challenge system, allowing reviews of ball or strike calls, adds about 63 seconds per game with an average of 4.1 challenges, but it is not the sole factor for the increased game length.
- Other contributors to longer games include five more pitches per game, pitchers using the pitch timer more strategically to disrupt hitters, and an increase in batter timeouts from 7.7 per game in 2023 to 16.9 this year.
- Teams like the Marlins and Rockies calling pitches from the dugout have added extra seconds per pitch, contributing to longer games, and this practice is expected to spread despite concerns about reducing player-centric competition.
- The combined effects of ABS challenges, more pitches, strategic clock use, increased batter timeouts, and dugout pitch-calling cumulatively add up to the six-minute increase in game duration this season.
