The average length of Major League Baseball games played over nine innings increased to 2 hours and 40 minutes in 2023 with the introduction of the pitch clock, a decrease of 24 minutes from the previous season.

The average length of Major League Baseball games played over nine innings increased to 2 hours and 40 minutes in 2023 with the introduction of the pitch clock, a decrease of 24 minutes from the previous season.

The average duration returned to the 1985 level, after exceeding three hours for the first time in 2016. It reached 3 hours and 10 minutes in 2021, and the introduction of the electronic pitch selection device brought it back to 3 hours 04 in last year.

Despite objections from the Players Association, the Major Leagues implemented the clock, setting the time limit for a pitch without a runner on the tracks at 15 seconds and 20 seconds with runners.

“It took a little getting used to, but after that, games go a lot faster,” noted Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa. We don’t waste time. The pace is good, so I think it will stay. »

There have been just nine games that have gone over 3:30 in 2023, a sharp drop from the record 390 in 2021.

“I think it went well,” Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith said. It’s good to go home a little early. No more four-hour matches. »

The Miami Marlins were the fastest, averaging just under 3:25, while the Baltimore Orioles and San Diego Padres were the two slowest teams, at 2:44.

The clock will remain in effect during the playoffs. Last year, nine-inning playoff games lasted an average of 3:23.

“There are more important moments when you need to take a step back and think about what you did or what you are going to do on the mound or at bat,” said Zack Wheeler, who will start the game for the Philadelphia Phillies. against the Marlins on Tuesday. I’m not a big fan of the stopwatch, but we have to live with it. »

Major League Baseball has implemented penalties for violations, including a catch for batters who don’t get into the box quickly enough and a catch for pitchers who don’t throw at the right time.

The Pittsburgh Pirates were punished the most, with 41 violations. The Mariners were the most disciplined with six offenses.

(New York) David Stearns was officially named the first president of baseball operations in New York Mets history on Monday.

The former Milwaukee Brewers boss was introduced to the media by owner Steve Cohen during a press conference held at Citi Field following yet another disappointing season for the Mets.

Despite high expectations for the New York team, whose payroll reached $355 million in the opening game, they were eliminated from playoff contention in midsummer and finished fourth overall in the National League East section.

“I have a lot of work to do,” Stearns admitted.

The 38-year-old will have general manager Billy Eppler under his leadership. Additionally, he will report to Cohen himself. This governance structure is fairly common in Major League Baseball, although it is new to the Mets.

Among his priorities, Stearns will have to hire the team’s next coach, following the firing of Buck Showalter on Sunday.

And Stearns added that he expects to see Pete Alonso be the Mets’ starting first baseman next season — the star slugger has been the subject of trade rumors because he could test the free agent market after the 2024 season.

(San Diego) Manager Bob Melvin’s position appears secure despite the San Diego Padres’ disappointing season.

At least that’s what comes from the statement released on Monday morning by the team’s owner, Peter Seidler, in which he guarantees that the club’s current management “still has my support”.

The announcement came less than 24 hours after the Padres had one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history, going 82-80. They were eliminated on Friday night; a hard result to swallow for a team that entered the campaign among the favorites to win the World Series after reaching the National League Championship Series last fall. The Padres then increased their payroll to nearly $250 million, the third highest in the major leagues, in hopes of having a long playoff run.

Many persistent rumors point to a strained relationship between Melvin, who just completed his second season in charge of the Padres and his 20th.^{It is} in a Major League manager position, and general manager AJ Preller, who has just two full-season winning records in Major League Baseball since his hiring in August 2014.

“We entered 2023 wanting to expand our participation in last year’s National Championship Series and hoping to participate in the World Series,” Seidler admitted in his press release. We failed. The Padres organization will learn from this experience and enter 2024 adding elements that could allow the team to compete for its first World Series title.

“Our leadership group continues to have my support and I have asked them to conduct an in-depth review of our organization, starting today. We will make the necessary changes to be one of the best teams in 2024”, he concluded.

Seidler, who recently underwent surgery for an undetermined medical condition, was unable to provide further comment. Melvin and Preller also remained silent.