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Pete -
Rarely is their an outstanding pitcher or batter that doesn't prefer the 'fast' game to the slow one. The slower the turnover time the more difficultly there is in making subtle adjustments with a pitch or a swing. You're right about the dominant pitchers of yesteryear, they worked fast and the results reflect a better game was played in a much shorter period of time.
Coaches, too, understand the value of working quickly. I can't tell you how many times I've seen defenses breakdown, because of boredom, with long delays in the delivery of each pitch. It doesn't improve the game, it weakens it.
I really believe the game is not as good as in once was because of this factor. The most delightfull games and experiences I've had umpiring, was when the pitchers were always ready to deliver, the batter, a la "Bonds" rarely left the batter's box, and all remainded connected and focused including the defense, which it's been proven, plays much better when the game moves along quickly.
Most of the blame is due to the commercialism of the game. There's nothing that can surpass an 89 pitch Maddox game when he records only 2 to 4 K's, and the average pitch count to a batter is 3 or less. Those games generally are around 2:00 to 2:15 ... and that's the way it should be. Nowadays, it seems that we witness a 1 - 0 game only once in every 25 to 30 contests. The game is not the same, and more viewers would enjoy baseball if it returned to the quicker style of play. MLB states that it's constantly trying to shorten the length of games. I suggest they view some of the tapes from the late 50's, early 60's.
Bring back those thrilling days of yesteryear!
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Ed
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