With games seeming to run longer each year, Major League Baseball yesterday asked teams to help enforce speed-up rules already on the books.
A nine-inning game is averaging 2 hours, 51 minutes, 42 seconds this season, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. That's only 29 seconds longer than last season, but 5½ minutes longer than five years ago.
In 1981, an average game took 2:33.
To help solve what is increasingly seen as a problem, baseball held a series of conference calls with each club's manager, general manager and in-game entertainment staff. All umpire crew chiefs were also involved.
Among the suggestions:
Umpires should urge batters to approach the plate from the on-deck circle and enter the batter's box more quickly, enforcing rules such as issuing an automatic strike to batters who linger outside the box.
In bases-empty situations, pitchers should be warned if they don't pitch within a 12-second time limit. Pitchers will be called for a ball for each subsequent violation.
TRIVIA TIME
What is the major league record for the shortest nine-inning game?
IS THERE A BALLGAME TONIGHT?
Game 1 of the NBA Western Conference finals wasn't the biggest event taking place last night in Los Angeles. It wasn't even the biggest event on Chick Hearn Court, the street in front of Staples Center.
That street also features the new Nokia Theater, which was hosting the finals of “American Idol.” The TV show began at 5 p.m., the Lakers-Spurs game at 6:15, which made for a midafternoon parking nightmare – and a bonanza for parking lot operators who were charging $30-$35 for spaces that normally go for about $20.
The difference in how the two coaches last night reacted to a question about “Idol” probably speaks to their cities of residence.
“What is that?” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “Is that where they dance with each other?”
Asked if he was a fan, Lakers coach Phil Jackson said, “A 'fan' may be a broad – I am kind of a naysayer, but I enjoy watching it with Jeanie (Buss, a Lakers executive and Jackson's significant other). She edits it for me so I can critique it.”
Who did Jackson think would win?
“I think David will win, without a doubt,” he said, smiling.
The finalists were David Archuleta and David Cook.
– JAY POSNER
TRIVIA ANSWER
On Sept. 28, 1919, the New York Giants beat the Philadelphia Phillies 6-1 in 51 minutes, still the shortest big league game on record.
– COMPILED BY STEVE OAKEY
FROM NEWS SERVICES, ONLINE REPORTS
