Ok,

[PeteBooth]

In the 29 games of the first 5 World Series (1903, 1905-1908), the average time of game was 1:52. A half inning—time between third outs—took on average 6 minutes and 17 seconds. (Seems like it takes that long between innings today.) The 29 games saw a total of 15 relief pitchers.

The 4 games of the 2005 World Series averaged 3:51. A half inning took on average 11 minutes, 25 seconds. Game 3 (14 innings) took 5 hours, 41 minutes. The White Sox and Astros used 15 relief pitchers in game 3, and 31 in the 4 games.

What were the average players salary back then?

MLB can do certain things but the almighty dollar has taken over which IMO is the biggest reason for the lenght of games.

Another BIG factor that needs to be addressed is when a team is warming up a pitcher in the bullpen.

First F2 will go out and talk to F1
Then the pitching coach goes out and talks to F1 and
Finally the manager (especially Joe Torre) takes that SLOOOW walk out to the mound and F1 is finally removed
Then when the change is made another set of commercials

I do not know about you but I very rarely watch a MLB game these days from start to finish.

I know it will NEVER happen but regardless of the purists baseball should be TIMED especially in the amateur game.

High Schools in certain areas have put time limits on games below the varsity level. Also, there is nothing like doing a weekend tournament in which time limits are imposed except fro the Championship Game.

Pete Booth