American Public Says Baseball Needs a Fast(er) Ball            

            Pitch Clock and PitchCom have major support from younger demographic.

South Orange, NJ May 18, 2022 – Are Major League Baseball games too long? “Yes” say 61 percent of self-described avid fans and 52 percent of sports fans, according to a new poll.

Of those surveyed, just 32 percent of avid fans and 37 percent of sports fans said “no, games are not too long.”

The poll was conducted by the Seton Hall Sports Poll May 6-9 across 1,512 adults throughout the United States. The poll features a national representative sample weighted on U.S. Census Bureau figures for gender, age, ethnicity, education, income and geography and has a margin of error of +/- 3.2 percent, with margins for subgroups higher in accord with smaller sampling size.

“Baseball has long been considered America’s pastime,” said Professor Charles Grantham, Director of the Center for Sport Management. “But perhaps Americans don’t have that much time to pass in the 21st century. By and large sports fans – particularly younger fans – would like a faster game. At the same time, baseball, more than almost any other sport, is a game of tradition and some fans are reluctant to accept change.”

Would You Watch More if the Games Were Shorter?
When asked whether they would watch more baseball if the games were shorter, a generational gap appears in the data, with double digits separating the youngest from the older demographics. This gap is highlighted by a 21-point difference between fans aged 18-34 and those 55 plus.

Age Breakdown for Would You Watch More

18-34
Among sports fans 18-34 years old, 59 percent said they would watch more MLB if the games were shorter (31 percent said no), while among self-described avid fans of the same vaunted demographic, 66 percent said they would watch more as opposed 25 percent who said they would not.

35-54

For those aged 35 to 54, sports fans said yes to the tune of 46 percent, while 36 per cent said no, they would not watch more baseball if the games were shorter. Among avid fans of this age group, 55 percent said yes, they would watch more, while 39 percent said no. 

55+

Of those aged 55 plus, just 38 percent of sports fans said yes, they would watch more, while an even greater 44 percent said no. Among this older demographic those who described themselves as avid fans, 54 percent said yes, while 33 percent said no.

Speed Up The Game?

The length of games is an issue that MLB has attempted to address with several initiatives and proposals over recent years to speed things up. The findings of this most recent survey of the American public would seem to indicate that MLB is a) correct in attempting to do so and, b) still has work to do. Respondents to the poll were asked how they felt about certain measures designed to speed up the game.

Pitch Clock? 68 Percent of Avid Fans Say Yes
One such measure, coordinated across the minor leagues, included a pitch clock giving pitchers 14 seconds to deliver a pitch or 18 seconds with runners on base. Amongst a sample of 132 games, 20 minutes on average were reduced from games.

Presented with that evidence, respondents were asked whether MLB should adopt a pitch clock and 68 percent of avid fans and 54 percent of sports fans said yes, with only 23 and 25 percent respectively, opposing it, showing more than a 2 to 1 margin in favor of the pitch clock.

Age Breakdown for Pitch Clock Support

18-34
In terms of a pitch clock, 70 percent of avid fans and 63 percent of sports fans ages 18-34 were in favor of such a device, with only 23 and 22 percent opposing it, respectively.

34-54
Among ages 34-54, support for a pitch clock was 67 percent for avid fans and 55 percent for fans, with 26 percent (for both age groups) not in favor.

55+
Among the oldest demographic, ages 55 plus, support for the pitch clock was 65 percent among avid fans and 45 percent among sports fans. Just 20 percent of the avid fans in this oldest set opposed, and 27 percent who described themselves as fans said likewise.

PitchCom Has Wide Support, 3 to 1 Margin for Avid Fans
Another idea the executives at MLB are exploring to speed up the game is the new PitchCom system, already adopted by many teams. The system, introduced this year, allows pitchers and catchers to communicate digitally without hand signals using technology to verbally communicate through a band in the pitcher’s cap. The system is also thought to be a way to reduce sign stealing.

When polled about the new PitchCom system, 68 percent of avid fans and 54 percent of sports fans said they are in favor, with only 21 and 24 percent respectively opposed, a 3 to 1 margin for avid fans, more than 2 to 1 for fans.

Age Breakdown for PitchCom Support
Broken down by age groups:

18-34
Among those 18-34, avid fans support the use of the new technology by 71 percent to 20 percent.  Among sports fans, PitchCom enjoys 60 percent support with just 23 percent opposed.

35-54
For those ages 35-54, 72 percent of avid fans support the use of PitchCom, with just 22 percent opposed.  For sports fans, 57 percent support it, with 22 percent opposed.

55+

Although there is support for PitchCom among those aged 55 and up, it is not as great. Among avid fans in the oldest age group, 52 percent support it with 22 percent opposed. Among sports fans in general in this age group, just 42 percent support the use while 26 percent are opposed.

“Even an established product needs to fine tune on occasion and listen to contemporary customer requirements,” said Seton Hall Marketing Professor and Poll Methodologist Daniel Ladik. “These latest innovations from MLB – which have a great deal of support amongst the younger demographic – shows that the league has taken to heart the needs of what it hopes is its future fan base.”

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Questions with charted breakdowns below; an online version of this release may be found at http://blogs.shu.edu/sportspoll/

 

May 2022 Seton Hall Sports Poll Results

This SHSP was conducted May 5th through May 9th and includes responses from 1,514 US adults with a margin of error of 3.2%. The sample mirrors the US Census percentages on age, gender, income, education, ethnicity, and region.

Q1. Which, if any, of the following statements best describes you?

  • I am an avid sports fan 21%
  • I am a sports fan 35%
  • I am nota sports fan 44%

[NOTE: in the tables below, Avid fans + Casual fans = Sports Fans]

And now, a few questions about Major League Baseball (MLB)

 

Q4a. In your opinion, are MLB baseball games too long?

 

N=1,514

 

General

Population

Sports

Fan

Non Fan Avid

Fan

Casual

Fan

Yes 41% 52% 27% 61% 47%
No 34% 37% 30% 32% 41%
Don’t know/No opinion 25% 11% 43% 7% 12%

 

Q4a. In your opinion, are MLB baseball games too long? [By Fan Level & Age]

 

N=1,514

 

Yes No Don’t know No opinion
Non Fan*18-34 22% 30% 48%
Non Fan*34-54 30% 29% 41%
Non Fan*55+ 29% 31% 40%
Sports Fan*18-34 52% 35% 13%
Sports Fan*34-54 59% 33% 8%
Sports Fan*55+ 47% 43% 10%
Avid Fan*18-34 58% 34% 8%
Avid Fan*34-54 67% 28% 5%
Avid Fan*55+ 59% 34% 7%
Casual Fan*18-34 46% 36% 18%
Casual Fan*34-54 52% 37% 11%
Casual Fan*55+ 44% 45% 11%

 

Q4b. Would you watch more MLB if the games were shorter?

 

N=1,514

 

General

Population

Sports

Fan

Non Fan Avid

Fan

Casual

Fan

Yes 32% 48% 11% 60% 40%
No 45% 37% 56% 31% 41%
Don’t know/No opinion 23% 15% 33% 9% 19%

 

Q4b. Would you watch more MLB if the games were shorter? [By Fan Level & Age]

 

N=1,514

 

Yes No Don’t know No opinion
Non Fan*18-34 13% 52% 35%
Non Fan*34-54 10% 58% 32%
Non Fan*55+ 9% 56% 35%
Sports Fan*18-34 59% 31% 10%
Sports Fan*34-54 46% 36% 18%
Sports Fan*55+ 38% 44% 18%
Avid Fan*18-34 66% 25% 9%
Avid Fan*34-54 55% 39% 7%
Avid Fan*55+ 54% 33% 13%
Casual Fan*18-34 51% 37% 12%
Casual Fan*34-54 40% 33% 27%
Casual Fan*55+ 34% 47% 19%

 

Q4c. Multiple minor leagues have tested a pitch clock in their baseball games with the goal of speeding up play. Pitchers have 14 seconds to deliver a pitch and 18 seconds when runners are on base. Across 132 games, 20 minutes on average were reduced from games. Should MLB adopt a pitch clock?

 

N=1,514

 

General

Population

Sports

Fan

Non Fan Avid

Fan

Casual

Fan

Yes 37% 54% 14% 68% 46%
No 24% 25% 24% 23% 26%
Don’t know/No opinion 39% 21% 62% 9% 28%

 

Q4c. Multiple minor leagues have tested a pitch clock… [By Fan Level & Age]

 

N=1,514

 

Yes No Don’t know No opinion
Non Fan*18-34 14% 25% 61%
Non Fan*34-54 13% 23% 64%
Non Fan*55+ 15% 24% 61%
Sports Fan*18-34 63% 22% 15%
Sports Fan*34-54 55% 26% 19%
Sports Fan*55+ 45% 27% 28%
Avid Fan*18-34 70% 23% 7%
Avid Fan*34-54 67% 26% 7%
Avid Fan*55+ 65% 20% 15%
Casual Fan*18-34 55% 21% 24%
Casual Fan*34-54 46% 25% 29%
Casual Fan*55+ 40% 28% 32%

 

Q5a. In the major leagues, MLB has introduced PitchCom this season. PitchCom is a communication system between the catcher and the pitcher whereby the pitcher receives verbal pitch selection prompts through a band in his cap. The traditional way is via hand signals, and many believe this slows up the game and leads to sign stealing (i.e. the opposing team knows what pitch is coming). Are you in favor of MLB using PitchCom?

 

N=1,514

 

General

Population

Sports

Fan

Non Fan Avid

Fan

Casual

Fan

Yes 35% 54% 13% 68% 43%
No 24% 24% 25% 21% 26%
Don’t know/No opinion 41% 22% 62% 11% 31%

 

Q5a. In the major leagues, MLB has introduced PitchCom… [By Fan Level & Age]

 

N=1,514

 

Yes No Don’t know No opinion
Non Fan*18-34 13% 31% 56%
Non Fan*34-54 14% 24% 62%
Non Fan*55+ 13% 22% 65%
Sports Fan*18-34 60% 23% 17%
Sports Fan*34-54 57% 22% 19%
Sports Fan*55+ 42% 26% 32%
Avid Fan*18-34 71% 20% 9%
Avid Fan*34-54 72% 22% 6%
Avid Fan*55+ 52% 22% 26%
Casual Fan*18-34 48% 26% 26%
Casual Fan*34-54 46% 22% 32%
Casual Fan*55+ 39% 27% 34%

 

Q5b. Presently, PitchCom is not mandatory, and some teams are still using the traditional hand signals. Are you in favor of MLB mandating PitchCom?

 

N=1,514

 

General

Population

Sports

Fan

Non Fan Avid

Fan

Casual

Fan

Yes 22% 35% 6% 51% 25%
No 36% 39% 32% 37% 40%
Don’t know/No opinion 42% 26% 62% 12% 35%

 

Q5b. Presently, PitchCom is not mandatory, and some teams are still using the traditional hand signals. Are you in favor of MLB mandating PitchCom? [By Fan Level & Age]

 

N=1,514

 

Yes No Don’t know No opinion
Non Fan*18-34 8% 34% 58%
Non Fan*34-54 7% 30% 63%
Non Fan*55+ 5% 32% 63%
Sports Fan*18-34 43% 35% 22%
Sports Fan*34-54 40% 38% 22%
Sports Fan*55+ 22% 45% 33%
Avid Fan*18-34 51% 39% 10%
Avid Fan*34-54 58% 32% 10%
Avid Fan*55+ 34% 42% 24%
Casual Fan*18-34 34% 30% 36%
Casual Fan*34-54 26% 42% 32%
Casual Fan*55+ 19% 46% 35%

 

ABOUT THE POLL

The Seton Hall Sports Poll, conducted regularly since 2006, is performed by the Sharkey Institute within the Stillman School of Business. This poll was conducted online by YouGov Plc. using a national representative sample weighted according to gender, age, ethnicity, education, income and geography, based on U.S. Census Bureau figures. Respondents were selected from YouGov’s opt-in panel to be representative of all U.S residents. This poll release conforms to the Standards of Disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls. The Seton Hall Sports Poll has been chosen for inclusion in iPoll by Cornell’s Roper Center for Public Opinion Research and its findings have been published everywhere from USA Today, ESPN, The New York Times, Washington Post, AP, and Reuters to CNBC, NPR, Yahoo Finance, Fox News and many points in between.

Media:  Michael Ricciardelli, Associate Director of Media Relations, Seton Hall University
michael.ricciardelli@shu.edu, 908-447-3034; Marty Appel, AppelPR@gmail.com