How to Make Baseball More Exciting

Speeding Up the Game: The Key to Enhancing Excitement

One of the most common criticisms of baseball is its slow pace. With long innings, multiple pitching changes, and frequent downtime, games can feel like a drawn-out affair. To make baseball more exciting, one of the first areas to address is the speed of the game.

Introducing the Pitch Clock

In 2023, Major League Baseball (MLB) implemented a pitch clock to speed up the game. The pitch clock requires pitchers to deliver a pitch within 15 seconds with no runners on base or 20 seconds with runners on base. This has significantly reduced the amount of time between pitches, keeping the game moving at a faster pace. As a result, the average time of a game has decreased by more than 20 minutes in some instances, which has led to increased fan engagement and a more energetic atmosphere.

Limiting Pitching Changes

Another way to speed up the game is by limiting the number of pitching changes a team can make during a game. While strategic pitching changes are essential in modern baseball, constant interruptions for pitching substitutions can disrupt the flow of the game. A rule that limits pitching changes to a certain number, say three per game, could help keep the pace of play fast while still allowing managers to make necessary adjustments.

Streamlining Commercial Breaks

Commercial breaks in baseball often feel like they go on for longer than they need to. While advertising is necessary for generating revenue, reducing the length of these breaks, particularly between innings, could help maintain the energy and engagement of the audience. Shorter, more dynamic commercials could also provide opportunities for brands to get creative in their messaging, making the break feel less like a lull in the action.

Making the Game More Action-Packed: Increasing Scoring Opportunities

Another criticism of baseball is that games can sometimes be low-scoring or lack action, especially in the later innings. To make baseball more exciting, it is crucial to find ways to increase scoring opportunities and provide fans with more thrilling moments.

Introducing the Designated Hitter (DH) in Both Leagues

The introduction of the designated hitter (DH) in the American League has sparked significant debate over the years. The National League held onto the traditional rule of having pitchers bat, but in 2022, the DH rule was adopted by both leagues. This decision has provided teams with an additional hitter in the lineup, potentially increasing offensive production and making games more exciting for fans. With a DH in place, teams can have more power hitters in the lineup, leading to more home runs, base hits, and overall excitement.

The Shift and Its Impact on Offense

The strategic defensive shift—where infielders move to certain positions based on the batter’s tendencies—has led to a decrease in batting averages and reduced the number of base hits. While the shift has been an effective defensive tool, it has also made the game less exciting for casual fans who want to see more action. One way to increase excitement is by implementing a ban or limitation on extreme shifts. By ensuring that defenders play in traditional positions, the game would see more balls in play, higher batting averages, and ultimately, more scoring opportunities.

Expanding the Use of Technology to Improve Offense

Technology has revolutionized almost every aspect of professional sports, and baseball is no exception. Statcast, for example, allows teams to analyze player performance with incredible precision. By using advanced metrics like launch angle and exit velocity, teams can optimize their offensive strategy to increase runs. Offering fans a more transparent view of these statistics and how they impact the game could enhance their enjoyment and understanding, making each at-bat feel more impactful.

Additionally, incorporating more interactive technology, such as augmented reality (AR) experiences at games, could provide fans with real-time data on pitches, player movements, and the chances of a successful hit. This kind of engagement could make the game feel more dynamic and appealing to younger audiences.

Creating a More Interactive Fan Experience: Bridging the Gap Between Players and Fans

Baseball has historically been viewed as a more traditional and less interactive sport compared to others, like basketball or football. To make baseball more exciting, it is vital to enhance the fan experience both at the stadium and online, creating more avenues for fans to connect with the players, teams, and the game itself.

In-Stadium Technology and Fan Engagement

In-stadium experiences are essential to creating a lasting connection between fans and the sport. Teams can leverage technology to bring fans closer to the action with dynamic video boards, real-time stats, and interactive features. One example is the use of virtual reality (VR) zones where fans can feel like they’re stepping into the batter’s box or sitting in the dugout. By offering an immersive, tech-forward experience, fans will feel more engaged, ultimately increasing excitement.

Player-Fan Interaction through Social Media

Social media is a powerful tool for engaging with fans. While players are already active on platforms like Twitter and Instagram, MLB can do more to encourage players to interact with fans through live streams, Q&A sessions, and behind-the-scenes content. A direct connection between players and fans can humanize athletes, make them more relatable, and build a stronger fanbase.

Expanding Digital and Fantasy Sports Engagement

Fantasy sports have experienced tremendous growth over the last decade, with millions of people now involved in fantasy baseball leagues. To take advantage of this trend, MLB can expand its digital engagement by providing more interactive and gamified experiences, such as daily fantasy sports contests, player challenges, and more detailed player statistics. By tapping into the fantasy sports community, MLB can increase fan engagement and generate excitement around each game.

Globalizing the Game: Attracting Fans from All Corners of the World

Baseball is no longer just an American sport. With the global rise of players from countries like Japan, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and South Korea, the sport’s popularity is increasing in international markets. To make baseball more exciting, MLB must continue to expand its reach and appeal to fans from around the world.

International Games and Tournaments

The MLB already holds regular-season games in countries like Japan and Mexico, bringing the sport to new audiences. By hosting more international games and expanding tournaments like the World Baseball Classic, baseball can attract new fans and create a global spectacle around the sport. These international events not only expose new fans to the game but also create a sense of excitement around the best players competing on the world stage.

Growing the Game at the Grassroots Level

In order to sustain its growth globally, baseball needs to focus on grassroots development in countries where the sport isn’t traditionally popular. MLB can invest in youth development programs and academies, providing young players in various countries with access to better training, coaching, and resources. By cultivating future talent globally, the sport will not only increase its fan base but also create more competitive, exciting baseball on the field.

Modernizing the Rules: Adapting to the Needs of Today’s Fans

Baseball’s traditional rules have remained largely unchanged for over a century. While these rules are part of the sport’s charm, some of them could be updated to meet the needs of today’s fast-paced entertainment landscape. MLB has already implemented several changes to improve the pace and excitement of the game, such as the pitch clock and limiting the shift. But there are other potential rule changes that could help modernize the game.

The Universal DH: A Step Toward More Offense

The introduction of the universal designated hitter (DH) rule in 2022 was a major step toward modernizing the game. By allowing all teams, regardless of league affiliation, to use a DH, MLB ensured that games feature more offensive action. Moving forward, continued efforts to enhance offensive production, such as introducing a “ghost runner” in extra innings or implementing rules that favor more ball-in-play action, could make the game more exciting for fans.

The Use of Robo-Umpires

One of the most controversial aspects of baseball is the inconsistency of umpire calls, particularly with the strike zone. The potential introduction of automated strike zones, or “robo-umpires,” could eliminate human error, creating a more fair and consistent experience for players and fans alike. While this may be a contentious issue for traditionalists, it could make the game faster and more predictable, ultimately increasing fan excitement.

Conclusion

Baseball is an iconic sport with a rich history that will always be cherished. However, in order to remain relevant and continue growing, it must adapt to the changing tastes and expectations of modern fans. By speeding up the game, increasing scoring opportunities, enhancing fan engagement, globalizing the sport, and making rule adjustments, baseball can thrive in the 21st

century and beyond. The key to making baseball more exciting is not just about changing the sport itself but about creating a dynamic, engaging experience that captivates both new and lifelong fans.