Extra Innings: Examining the Pace of Play Problem with America's Pastime
Open Access
Author:
Bauer, Dj
Area of Honors:
Journalism
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
John R Affleck, Thesis Supervisor Russell Frank, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
baseball journalism pace of play mlb
Abstract:
This thesis examines the slowdown and changes in action regarding pace of play that has occurred in Major League Baseball over the past 100 years. It demonstrates the correlation between the problematic decline in baseball viewership and the pace of play slowdown and examines hypotheses for why this slowdown may be occurring, including advances in mid-game advertising and commercialization, a shift in focus toward offense, the advent of sabermetrics and other advanced stat-keeping implemented by teams to better their odds of victory, and changes in player behavior in the time between pitches. Ultimately, this thesis concludes that behavioral changes, brought on by both advanced analytics and monetary incentive, are the primary explanation for the lengthening of the average baseball game over time and the shift toward inaction-based plays. It also identifies possible solutions that Major League Baseball could implement to help solve its pace of play problem, including the implementation of a pitch clock, encouraging action-based plays like stolen bases, and, ultimately, amending the state of distrust between the league and the Players Association.