MLB rule changes quickly catching on with Pirates fans

In an alternate universe, Friday’s game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox might have eclipsed four hours in length.

The teams combined for 22 runs and 30 hits in 80 at-bats, with seven pitchers taking the mound.

But with MLB’s rule changes, highlighted by the pitch clock, Friday’s home opener took just 2 hours, 48 minutes.

And that wasn’t even the Pirates’ shortest game of the season.

Last season, nine-inning games lasted an average of 3:03, per Baseball Reference. So far in 2023, there has been a drop of about 26 minutes per game, to 2:37.

“It was never, in my opinion, about the length of the game. It was the pace within the game,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “And I think, because of the pace within the game, we’re seeing the length of the game come down.

“The fact that we just don’t have at-bats that take seven minutes because a guy steps out (of the batter’s box) 14 times to adjust his leg guard, I think has done a really good job.”

The other primary goal of MLB’s rules changes was to stimulate offense by eliminating defensive shifts.

A week into the season, total runs per game across the league have risen to 9.09, up about half run (8.57) from last year.

However, that number is below the 9.12 runs per game average from 2000-22.

Pirates fans seem to be embracing the changes, which also include larger bases and pickoff limitations.

Michael Kirik of Pine, who has been attending Pirates home openers since the days of Three Rivers Stadium, said he loves the pitch clock.

“It will definitely speed up the game, and there will be more steals because of it,” Kirik said.

Stolen bases per game have increased to 1.36 this year from 0.70 last season, with success rates improving to 80.5% compared to 68.5%.

Chris Stewart of Lower Burrell attended Friday’s game and appreciated the quickened pace.

“I like it,” he said. “If it’s anything like it was yesterday for the opener, I thought it was outstanding. It really sped up the game. It wasn’t three-and-a-half or three hours and 15 minutes. It puts a little bit more pressure on the pitcher to get things moving.”

Christopher Johnson of Chattanooga, Tenn., is in Pittsburgh for an extended guys’ weekend with his brother and father. He attended the Penguins game Thursday at PPG Paints Arena and the Pirates’ home opener.

He, too, is a fan of the rule changes.

“I think it makes (baseball) a better product,” Johnson said. “I think it makes it more accessible. Younger people get into it a lot more, and I think it holds people’s attention much more.”

As for the players, one major benefit of shorter games is more time to rest and recover outside of the ballpark.

“I thought we should have eased into it a little more, but after seeing how fast these games go now, I’m a fan,” Pirates reliever Colin Holderman said. “I like to go home. I like to spend more time with my family after the game, and you get a little more time to relax and get away from the field. So I’m not hating it at all.”

Added Shelton: “162 (games) in 181 days — that’s a grind. So, maybe getting an extra hour, hour-and-a-half either at home or in a hotel, being able to decompress, being in the training room or being able to recover is helpful.”