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So, why are games now taking 3 - 4 hours? Curious!
One Word - COMMERCIALS each inning there's probably a 3 - 5 minute delay. Also, there are legitimate ways to delay the game which IMO need to be addressed.
Example; F2 gets word (via eye contact with the coach) to go and talk to F1 so that someone can start warming up.
F2 asks for time and normally gets it. F2 takes a slow walk out to talk to F1 and comes back to his normal position.
Then what? you guessed it - the pitching coach comes out of the duggout and again takes that slow walk out to the mound.
Now, word gets back to the duggout that the relief pitcher is ready. Now the manager, takes that slow walk out to the mound until ultimately F1 is replaced.
This could take some 5 - 10 minutes. Also, with any delay, we have add'l commercial time. Also, the longer the games are, more money for the concessions.
IMO, PRO baseball isn't really about the game anymore but about BIG Business. A prime example is the World Series itself - All night games now.
The amateur umpire cannot approach the game the way professionals do it. It's a different ball game.
Pete Booth
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Peter M. Booth
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