The average game time dropped to its 1985 level after passing 3 hours for the first time in 2016. Over the objections of the players’ association, MLB instituted a pitch clock set at 15 seconds with the bases empty and 20 seconds with runners on base. “I’m not a big fan of the pitch clock, but it is what it is.”Phillies catcher J.T. As part of the clock, MLB instituted penalties for violations that included balls against pitchers and strikes against batters. That reduced the distance between first and second, and second and third, by 4 1/2 inches.

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