"Major League Baseball owners, expressing alarm that nine-inning games took approximately 2 1/2 hours to play less than 20 years ago, adopted six recommendations today to roll back the clock." -- The New York Times
No, you didn't miss a big announcement from Major League Baseball about rule changes. The preceding paragraph is from June 9, 1995.
Twenty-two years later, baseball is still trying to figure out how to fit a game that began in the 19th century into the modern era where the average attention span appears to be about eight seconds.
I agree with critics who say baseball is soooooo slow, especially when hitters are allowed to repeatedly step out of the batter's box and pitchers take turns in increasing numbers on the mound. But may the baseball gods strike you down, Mr. Commissioner, if you seriously suggest starting extra-inning games with a runner at second base.
I did not know such a rule even existed until a few years ago when I was covering an Arkansas women's softball game. I thought I had missed a play and asked for clarification when extra innings began with a runner standing on second base.
"International rules," a person in the press area informed me. "It's an easier way to break a tie."
International rules for America's pastime? I don't think so.
Still, some tweaks are needed after the average nine-inning game took three hours to play last season. That's 40 minutes longer than the average NBA game.
Steve Morrow, 59, of Bella Vista has been collecting baseball cards and memorabilia since his father took him to a game at Tiger Stadium in Detroit in the 1960s. He still loves the game, but agrees measures need to be taken to conform to today's audience.
"This current generation likes a faster-paced game," Morrow said. "Even my son, who grew up a baseball fan, likes basketball and football more because the games are quicker and there's more action."
Baseball purists will argue there's nothing wrong with their game and no changes are necessary. They like the easy pace and view a day at the ballpark as a brief escape to a time when life wasn't so hectic. But too many fans and people involved in baseball at the highest level agree steps should be implemented to keep games from dragging so long.
"I don't think there's a magic bullet that is going to come along to be the solution to pace of play," Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said in an Associated Press story earlier this month. "It's something we need to be focused on. It's going to be an ongoing effort to make sure our game moves along in a way that is most attractive to our fans."
A pitch clock that requires pitchers to throw the ball within 20 seconds could be the first move. I also like the idea that allows a batter to take first base on an intentional walk without a pitch being thrown. Limiting the number of times players and coaches can visit the mound would also be helpful.
But the biggest change needs to be at the plate, where so many hitters treat an appearance in the batter's box like a one-act play. You've seen the routine.
Step in, step out, practice swing.
Adjust batting glove, step in.
Step out, pulls pants up, pull pants down, adjust around the groin area.
Step in, step out, practice swing, spit.
Dig at the dirt, inspect the bat, maybe even get another bat.
Practice swing, step in.
Meanwhile, the young people especially, begin tapping on their cell phones while awaiting any kind of action to resume.
"We have to recognize the reality of life today, which is that attention spans are going down and choices are going up," Miami Marlins owner David Samson said. "Whatever business you're in, you have to adjust."
Even with a nip and a tuck, baseball will forever be held as the game that brought generations of Americans together through good times and times of war.
The smell of the grass.
The crack of the bat.
A day with friends and family, like the one Morrow has planed with the man who introduced him to the game of baseball so many years ago.
"I've got tickets to a spring training game in Florida between the Tigers and Yankees, and I'm taking my 83-year-old dad," Morrow said. "Spending time with him, like my son spent with me, that's what baseball is all about."
Sports on 02/19/2017