[SanDiegoSteve]

Yeah, it couldn't possibly have anything to do with the time spent between innings for TV timeouts (two minutes +), which was not a factor in the early days. Even the last 15 years, where they have lengthened the TV timeout to accomodate more advertising.

There is also the aspect of situational pitching, which was unheard of in the old days. In those thrilling days of yesteryear, the bullpen was a place relegated for has-beens, also-rans, and sore-arm sad-sacks. Today, there are mop-up men, long relievers, set-up men, and closers. In the old days, the pitcher was expected to pitch a complete game, or darn close to it. These days, 6 or 7 innings into the game, we're changing pitchers. The time spent warming up these pitchers contributes to longer games as well.

Mound conferences last longer. Players step in and out of the box more than they did back then. Nomar fidgets with his batting gloves and performs histrionics between every pitch.

There are many other possible reasons why games take so much longer. I would not say it is because the umpire has a 2 second delay on his strike call. This would only account for anywhere from 5 to 8 minutes extra per game, and that is negligible. I would say that "undoubtedly" it is not the umpire's calls which lengthen games.