MLB Pace of Game: As of 2016, game will match time allotted to broadcasters between innings

2/25/16, "MLB rules changes focus on slides and on pace of play," Arizona Central Sports, via MLB press release

"Pace of Game"

"The pace of game program will expand this season to include timed 30-second visits to the pitcher’s mound by managers and pitching coaches. In addition, break timers will now mirror the time allotted to broadcasters between innings: 2:05 for locally televised games and 2:25 for nationally televised games, a reduction of 20 seconds each from the 2015 season, when the timers counted down from 2:25 for local games and from 2:45 for national games. The change aims to allow players to more closely match the resumption of play with the return of broadcasters from commercial breaks.

The vast majority of last year’s newly implemented pace of game initiatives will continue in 2016.  The 2015 changes centered around enhanced enforcement of Rule 5.04(b)(4) – the “Batter’s Box Rule” – and the addition of ballpark timers measuring the break time between innings and during pitching changes.  Those efforts contributed to a reduction of six minutes and seven seconds (6:07) per nine-inning game from 2014 to 2015, dropping the average length from 3:02:21 to 2:56:14."

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Can't wait! Who's ready for spring training? Alex Rodriguez twitter

2/5/16, "Can't wait! Who's ready? #springtraining #yankees #mlb,"
Alex Rodriguez twitter
 

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In 1998 when Ken Griffey Jr. hit 56 home runs, Sammy Sosa 66, and Mark McGwire 70, no one on the Yankees hit more than 28 homers (Tino Martinez)

2/5/16, "Pinch hitting: Mike Pinto," Lohud Yankees blog, "Shift happens"

"In ’98, when Ken Griffey Jr. hit 56, Sammy Sosa 66 and Mark McGwire 70 home runs,

• the Yankees did not have anyone hit more than 28 homers (Tino Martinez)."...(end of article)

Commenters add:

"Ryan Handt Co Owner at Muve Clothing

Hey, Don't let the fact that only 20 players in all of baseball hit over 300 this past year (2015) skew your judgement of the time. In 1996, 47 players hit over 300, and in 98, 49. Baseball is a different game today and it's something you have to accept. I would love a team of 300 hitters, but that's not happening. And your Kansas City Royals had only one player bat over 300 in Cain. They did have a few guys in the 290s, but that's not won the championship. In the post, they had two guys hit over 300 and no one else about 273. What won them the championship was the starting pitching, the lights-out bullpen and scratching across enough runs."

"Josh Hosh Paladino Consumables Sales Associate at Walmart

Their bullpen won them the world series more than having a high batting average did. It certainly is a different game now than 15 to 20 years ago. Offense is way down. Guys who hit .300 are hard to come by now."

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