Is Baseball Too Slow?
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)—If Hank Aaron and Joe Torre never had to step out of the batter’s box during their playing days, baseball commissioner Bud Selig doesn’t see why Dustin Pedroia(notes) and Derek Jeter(notes) have to be any different.
In response to a question about umpire Joe West’s public criticism of the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, Selig said Monday that Major League Baseball is looking at ways to keep play moving at a reasonable rate.
“It’s the pace of the game is what one has to look at,” said Selig, who attended the grand opening of the Minnesota Twins’ new ballpark. “The sport is so popular now that we just ought to do everything we can to make sure we’re doing what we can.”
Last week West told the Record of New Jersey that the Yankees and Red Sox were “pathetic and embarrassing” for dragging out games during their season-opening series. The public criticism rankled members of both teams, who routinely play games on national television that last longer than the typical contest.
Longer commercial breaks, veteran hitters who work deep into counts and players who like to step out of the box regularly to adjust batting gloves, check signs and take a breath all contribute to pushing games well past 3 hours.
Read more...
*NHL Play-offs: First Round Breakdown
*Jeff Garcia open to returning to Eagles
*NFL sets schedule release date
*HEALTH: What is Codex Alimentarius?
