Baseball, known for its slow pace and the absence of a clock to limit its duration, has traditionally been a sport where game time could extend without restrictions, especially on Major League Baseball fields.
However, in an effort to enhance the experience and capture the attention of a modern audience, the popular league that attracts millions of viewers implemented a series of significant rule changes in 2023.
Among these modifications, the introduction of a pitch clock stands out, designed to speed up the game’s pace. As a result, the average duration of a nine-inning game has drastically decreased up to this day.
How long are baseball games?
Baseball has long been a sport without a fixed time limit, making its game duration unpredictable. Unlike soccer, where the clock determines the length of play, baseball relies on innings and a standard game consists of nine innings.
Historically, the length of an MLB game has varied due to factors such as pitching changes, extra innings and strategic delays. However, recent rule changes have significantly impacted the average game time.
Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on prior to playing the Los Angeles Dodgers during Game Three of the 2024 World Series. (Source: Al Bello/Getty Images)
Before 2023, an average MLB game lasted around three hours and 10 minutes, with some matchups stretching well beyond that, especially when extra innings were involved. However, the league introduced a pitch clock in 2023.
This rule limited the time pitchers and batters could take between pitches, cutting down the average game length. As a result, by 2024, the duration of a nine-inning game had dropped to approximately two hours and 36 minutes.
Several other factors can still influence the length of a baseball game. Playoff games, for instance, tend to last longer due to higher stakes, more pitching changes and commercial breaks, according to Baseball America.
Games that go into extra innings—where teams continue playing until there is a winner—can also extend beyond four or five hours. Additionally, rain delays and replay reviews contribute to unpredictable game lengths.
