MLB fans favor Pitch Clock by more than 4 to 1.
Sports fans and the general U.S. population are much more excited for the 2023 baseball season than they were a year ago. with excitement-level jumps of 20 points for self-described sports fans and 15 points for the general public. These jumps have seemingly been boosted in part by the introduction of a pitch clock which thus far, in spring training, seems to move the pace of the game more rapidly. A year ago, however, excitement for the MLB of 2022 may have been dampened by a labor stalemate which delayed the start of the season. But the new rules implemented this season seems to have fans buzzing, even if the early returns only cover spring training games.
Among the general population, 24 percent say they are more excited for the season compared to 9 percent a year ago. Among sports fans the number jumped from 16 percent to 36 percent, and among avid fans, from 33 percent to 52 percent. Even 47 percent of self-identified MLB fans are also more excited for the 2023 season. (MLB fans are defined as having specified MLB as one of their top or near top sports interests).
These were among the findings of a Seton Hall Sports Poll conducted last week among 1,553 adults across the country. The poll featured a national representative sample from YouGov weighted on U.S. Census Bureau figures for gender, age, ethnicity, education, income and geography and has a margin of error of +/- 2.5 percent.
“Of all the professional sports, Major League Baseball has been the most resistant to change,” said Professor Charles Grantham, Director of the Center for Sport Management within Seton Hall’s Stillman School of Business, which sponsors the Poll. “The MLB Commissioner, the teams, and the MLB Players Association have to be excited with these numbers as the fans, including the diehard MLB fans, are embracing these changes like the pitch clock and larger bases, among others.”
[2023] Are you more or less excited about this Major League Baseball season (2023) compared to last year’s MLB season (2022)?
| N=1,553
|
General
Population |
MLB Fan | Non MLB Fan | Sports
Fan* |
Non Fan | Avid
Fan |
Casual
Fan |
| More excited | 24% | 47% | 3% | 36% | 3% | 52% | 29% |
| Neither more excited
nor less excited |
65% | 51% | 77% | 55% | 81% | 42% | 61% |
| Less excited | 11% | 2% | 20% | 9% | 16% | 6% | 10% |
[2022] How much more or less excited are you about this baseball season (2022) compared to last year’s baseball season (2021)?
| N=1,528
|
General
Population |
Sports
Fan* |
Non Fan | Avid
Fan |
Casual
Fan |
| More excited | 9% | 16% | 2% | 33% | 9% |
| Neither more excited nor less excited | 72% | 67% | 78% | 52% | 73% |
| Less excited | 19% | 17% | 20% | 15% | 18% |
Data from the March 2022 Seton Hall Sports Poll
Games Too Long?
The buzz from spring training seems to have spread, even if actual viewership of spring training games is small compared to regular season games. Whereas as year ago 52 percent of sports fans thought MLB games were too long, that is already down to 43 percent this year. Among avid fans, the number who felt the games were too long has fallen from 61 percent to 54 percent. Interestingly, while self-described MLB fans are in agreement with sports fans (42 percent), 52 percent of MLB fans still do not believe that baseball games are too long.
[2023] In your opinion, are MLB baseball games too long?
| N=1,553
|
General
Population |
MLB Fan | Non MLB Fan | Sports
Fan* |
Non Fan | Avid
Fan |
Casual
Fan |
| Yes | 37% | 42% | 32% | 43% | 26% | 54% | 39% |
| No | 38% | 52% | 26% | 44% | 27% | 39% | 46% |
| Don’t know/No opinion | 25% | 6% | 42% | 13% | 47% | 7% | 15% |
[2022] 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% |
Data from the March 2022 Seton Hall Sports Poll
Fans Say They Would Watch More if Games Were Shorter
Enthusiasm for the pitch clock and shorter games is borne out by the Poll with 42 percent of sports fans and 57 percent of avid fans indicating they would watch more MLB if the games were shorter. Only 36 percent and 28 percent respectively said no. Among MLB fans, 52 percent vs. 31 percent said they will watch more.
[2023] Would you watch more MLB if the games were shorter?
| N=1,553
|
General
Population |
MLB Fan | Non MLB Fan | Sports
Fan* |
Non Fan | Avid
Fan |
Casual
Fan |
| Yes | 30% | 52% | 10% | 42% | 9% | 57% | 35% |
| No | 46% | 31% | 59% | 36% | 63% | 28% | 40% |
| Don’t know/No opinion | 24% | 17% | 31% | 22% | 28% | 15% | 25% |
“Shorter games not only satisfies the viewing public, but extends to the vital advertising partners of Major League Baseball,” said Marketing Professor Daniel Ladik, who is Chief Methodologist for the Poll. “Commercials in the later innings will now likely air before 10PM, which is still a time of high viewership.”
Welcome to the Pitch Clock Era!
The employment of a pitch clock has certainly gotten people talking, and its acceptance is evident in the poll. While 73 percent of avid fans agree with the use of a clock, only 11 percent are in disagreement (16 percent neither agree nor disagree). Among sports fans, 59 percent say they like the clock with 14 percent disagreeing. Among the general population, 45 percent agree with its use vs. only 15 percent disagreeing (forty percent neither agree nor disagree). Self-described MLB fans are also largely in favor (65 percent vs. 15 percent) of the pitch clock.
[2023] The use of a pitch clock…
| N=1,553
|
General
Population |
MLB Fan | Non MLB Fan | Sports
Fan* |
Non Fan | Avid
Fan |
Casual
Fan |
| Agree | 45% | 65% | 28% | 59% | 22% | 73% | 53% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 40% | 20% | 57% | 27% | 61% | 16% | 32% |
| Disagree | 15% | 15% | 15% | 14% | 17% | 11% | 15% |
Larger Bases?
Another rule change this season is the increase in size of all three infield bases with the duel goal of player safety (i.e. avoiding collisions) and increased incentive for exciting base stealing. The numbers in support of this rule change are strong with 50 percent of sports fans, 60 percent of avid fans and 55 percent of MLB fans in favor. Only 14 percent, 16 percent and 15 percent respectively disagree with the larger base rule change, making the proportion of those in favor to those who are not in excess of 3 to 1. Notably, the 15 inch base size has not changed since the very beginning of MLB in 1876.
[2023] All three bases were increased to 18 inches square from 15 inches.
| N=1,553
|
General
Population |
MLB Fan | Non MLB Fan | Sports
Fan* |
Non Fan | Avid
Fan |
Casual
Fan |
| Agree | 39% | 55% | 24% | 50% | 21% | 60% | 45% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 48% | 30% | 64% | 36% | 68% | 24% | 41% |
| Disagree | 13% | 15% | 12% | 14% | 11% | 16% | 14% |
End of Over Shifts and Other Rule Changes
Other rule changes for 2023 were generally met with approval too. With the exception of the extra-inning “ghost runner,” changes like limited pick-off throws and the end of infield defensive shifts met with greater approval than disapproval. The general population and sports fans disagreed with the runner on second base to start an extra inning, although avid fans (often considered more of the “purists”), supported the rule change by 43 percent to 37 percent.
[2023] Defensive shifts will not be allowed.
| N=1,553
|
General
Population |
MLB Fan | Non MLB Fan | Sports
Fan* |
Non Fan | Avid
Fan |
Casual
Fan |
| Agree | 34% | 52% | 20% | 46% | 15% | 59% | 40% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 45% | 23% | 63% | 31% | 67% | 16% | 38% |
| Disagree | 21% | 25% | 17% | 23% | 18% | 25% | 22% |
[2023] A pitcher is limited to two disengagements
| N=1,553
|
General
Population |
MLB Fan | Non MLB Fan | Sports
Fan* |
Non Fan | Avid
Fan |
Casual
Fan |
| Agree | 32% | 46% | 18% | 43% | 14% | 55% | 36% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 45% | 26% | 63% | 31% | 69% | 20% | 36% |
| Disagree | 23% | 28% | 19% | 26% | 17% | 25% | 28% |
[2023] If there are extra innings, each extra inning will start with a runner on second base
| N=1,553
|
General
Population |
MLB Fan | Non MLB Fan | Sports
Fan* |
Non Fan | Avid
Fan |
Casual
Fan |
| Agree | 25% | 38% | 13% | 33% | 11% | 43% | 28% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 40% | 23% | 55% | 29% | 59% | 20% | 33% |
| Disagree | 35% | 39% | 32% | 38% | 30% | 37% | 39% |
The End of Umpire Calling Balls and Strikes?
Major League Baseball may not be done with rules changes and a possible future change could involve robotics (i.e. the use of a computer) to call balls and strikes. In all triple A minor league games this season, the so-called Automatic Balls and Strikes system (ABS) was approved for use. A majority of MLB fans (52 percent vs. 28 percent) already approve of this concept. In addition, sports fans (48 percent to 26 percent) and avid fans (59 percent to 25 percent) also already approve of the use of the ABS system.
[2023] The use of a technology called the Automatic Balls and Strikes system, or ABS, which use robot umpires to call balls and strikes. All pitch calls are determined by an electronic strike zone.
| N=1,553
|
General
Population |
MLB Fan | Non MLB Fan | Sports
Fan* |
Non Fan | Avid
Fan |
Casual
Fan |
| Agree | 37% | 52% | 23% | 48% | 19% | 59% | 44% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 36% | 20% | 51% | 26% | 53% | 16% | 30% |
| Disagree | 27% | 28% | 26% | 26% | 28% | 25% | 26% |
# # #
Questions, breakdowns and additional charts may be found below; an online version of this release may be found at https://blogs.shu.edu/sportspoll/
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
MARCH 2023 Seton Hall Sports Poll Results
This SHSP was conducted March 6th through March 9th and includes responses from 1,553 US adults with a margin of error of +/-2.5%. The sample mirrors the US Census percentages on age, gender, income, education, ethnicity, and region.
Data collected for the March 2022 Seton Hall Sports Poll shown in some of the tables below was collected March 11th through March 14th which was after the MLB strike was settled but before the start of the 2022 MLB season.
Q1. Which of the following statements best describes you?
| N=1,534
|
General
Population |
MLB Fan | Non MLB fan |
| I am an avid sports fan | 19% | 33% | 6% |
| I am a sports fan | 43% | 56% | 33% |
| I am not a sports fan | 38% | 11% | 61% |
*Note: Presented in each table, Avid + Casual = total sports fandom in the data. Some tables break out the Avid and Casual segments.
Q2. Which sport do you consider to be America’s national pastime?
| N=1,553
|
General
Population |
MLB Fan | Non MLB Fan | Sports
Fan* |
Non Fan | Avid
Fan |
Casual
Fan |
| Baseball | 37% | 44% | 31% | 34% | 41% | 35% | 34% |
| Football | 38% | 36% | 40% | 43% | 30% | 44% | 43% |
| Basketball | 12% | 16% | 8% | 17% | 3% | 17% | 17% |
| Other | 3% | 2% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 2% | 3% |
| Don’t know/No opinion | 10% | 2% | 18% | 3% | 23% | 2% | 3% |
Q2. Which sport do you consider America’s national pastime?
| N=1,528
|
General
Population |
Sports
Fan* |
Non Fan | Avid
Fan |
Casual
Fan |
| Baseball | 36% | 36% | 35% | 39% | 35% |
| Football | 38% | 47% | 30% | 49% | 45% |
| Basketball | 7% | 10% | 4% | 8% | 11% |
| Other | 3% | 3% | 2% | 2% | 4% |
| Don’t know/No Opinion | 16% | 4% | 29% | 2% | 5% |
Data from the March 2022 Seton Hall Sports Poll
Opening day of the 2023 Major League Baseball (MLB) season is March 30th
Q9. Are you more or less excited about this Major League Baseball season (2023) compared to last year’s MLB season (2022)?
| N=1,553
|
General
Population |
MLB Fan | Non MLB Fan | Sports
Fan* |
Non Fan | Avid
Fan |
Casual
Fan |
| More excited | 24% | 47% | 3% | 36% | 3% | 52% | 29% |
| Neither more excited
nor less excited |
65% | 51% | 77% | 55% | 81% | 42% | 61% |
| Less excited | 11% | 2% | 20% | 9% | 16% | 6% | 10% |
Q6. How much more or less excited are you about this baseball season (2022) compared to last year’s baseball season (2021)?
| N=1,528
|
General
Population |
Sports
Fan* |
Non Fan | Avid
Fan |
Casual
Fan |
| More excited | 9% | 16% | 2% | 33% | 9% |
| Neither more excited nor less excited | 72% | 67% | 78% | 52% | 73% |
| Less excited | 19% | 17% | 20% | 15% | 18% |
Data from the March 2022 Seton Hall Sports Poll
Q10. What is your level of interest in the MLB?
| N=1,534
|
General
Population |
Sports
Fan* |
Non Fan | Avid
Fan |
Casual
Fan |
| This is one of my TOP interests | 18% | 27% | 1% | 46% | 19% |
| Somewhat interested | 29% | 40% | 12% | 36% | 41% |
| Not very interested | 21% | 20% | 24% | 10% | 24% |
| Not interested at all | 32% | 13% | 63% | 8% | 16% |
Q12a. Will you attend a Major League Baseball game this season?
| N=1,553
|
General
Population |
MLB Fan | Non MLB Fan | Sports
Fan* |
Non Fan | Avid
Fan |
Casual
Fan |
| Yes | 26% | 49% | 6% | 38% | 6% | 57% | 30% |
| No | 54% | 29% | 75% | 40% | 76% | 26% | 46% |
| Don’t know/No opinion | 20% | 22% | 19% | 22% | 18% | 17% | 24% |
Q12b. In your opinion, are MLB baseball games too long?
| N=1,553
|
General
Population |
MLB Fan | Non MLB Fan | Sports
Fan* |
Non Fan | Avid
Fan |
Casual
Fan |
| Yes | 37% | 42% | 32% | 43% | 26% | 54% | 39% |
| No | 38% | 52% | 26% | 44% | 27% | 39% | 46% |
| Don’t know/No opinion | 25% | 6% | 42% | 13% | 47% | 7% | 15% |
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% |
Data from the May 2022 Seton Hall Sports Poll
Q12c. Would you watch more MLB if the games were shorter?
| N=1,553
|
General
Population |
MLB Fan | Non MLB Fan | Sports
Fan* |
Non Fan | Avid
Fan |
Casual
Fan |
| Yes | 30% | 52% | 10% | 42% | 9% | 57% | 35% |
| No | 46% | 31% | 59% | 36% | 63% | 28% | 40% |
| Don’t know/No opinion | 24% | 17% | 31% | 22% | 28% | 15% | 25% |
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% |
Data from the May 2022 Seton Hall Sports Poll
Major League Baseball is implementing some rule changes for the 2023 season. According to the MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, “We think the changes are going to produce a crisp, more exciting game with more balls in play.”
To what extent do you agree or disagree with MLB and the Players Association implementing the following rule changes?
Q13a. The use of a pitch clock (like the NFL play clock or the NBA shot clock) is new this season. Pitchers will have 15 seconds with the bases empty and 20 seconds with a runner on to throw a pitch. Pitchers must begin their motion in that time or be assessed a ball. Batters not in the box by the eight-second mark will receive a strike. Note: there will also be a 30-second clock between batters and a 2 minute 15 second inning break during regular-season games.
| N=1,553
|
General
Population |
MLB Fan | Non MLB Fan | Sports
Fan* |
Non Fan | Avid
Fan |
Casual
Fan |
| Agree | 45% | 65% | 28% | 59% | 22% | 73% | 53% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 40% | 20% | 57% | 27% | 61% | 16% | 32% |
| Disagree | 15% | 15% | 15% | 14% | 17% | 11% | 15% |
Q13b. Defensive shifts will not be allowed. All four infielders must have both feet on the infield dirt or grass when the pitcher begins his motion, and each team must have two infielders on each side of second base. A violation results in a ball, or the batting team can let the play stand.
| N=1,553
|
General
Population |
MLB Fan | Non MLB Fan | Sports
Fan* |
Non Fan | Avid
Fan |
Casual
Fan |
| Agree | 34% | 52% | 20% | 46% | 15% | 59% | 40% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 45% | 23% | 63% | 31% | 67% | 16% | 38% |
| Disagree | 21% | 25% | 17% | 23% | 18% | 25% | 22% |
Q13c. A pitcher is limited to two disengagements, such as a pickoff attempt or step-off the mount, per plate appearance. A third will result in a balk, giving runners a free base.
| N=1,553
|
General
Population |
MLB Fan | Non MLB Fan | Sports
Fan* |
Non Fan | Avid
Fan |
Casual
Fan |
| Agree | 32% | 46% | 18% | 43% | 14% | 55% | 36% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 45% | 26% | 63% | 31% | 69% | 20% | 36% |
| Disagree | 23% | 28% | 19% | 26% | 17% | 25% | 28% |
Q13d. With the goal of decreasing collisions at first base and stimulating more infield hits and stolen bases, all three bases were increased to 18 inches square from 15 inches. These larger bases will reduce the distance between first and second base, and second and third, by 4½ inches.
| N=1,553
|
General
Population |
MLB Fan | Non MLB Fan | Sports
Fan* |
Non Fan | Avid
Fan |
Casual
Fan |
| Agree | 39% | 55% | 24% | 50% | 21% | 60% | 45% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 48% | 30% | 64% | 36% | 68% | 24% | 41% |
| Disagree | 13% | 15% | 12% | 14% | 11% | 16% | 14% |
Q13f. If there are extra innings, each extra inning will start with a runner on second base
| N=1,553
|
General
Population |
MLB Fan | Non MLB Fan | Sports
Fan* |
Non Fan | Avid
Fan |
Casual
Fan |
| Agree | 25% | 38% | 13% | 33% | 11% | 43% | 28% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 40% | 23% | 55% | 29% | 59% | 20% | 33% |
| Disagree | 35% | 39% | 32% | 38% | 30% | 37% | 39% |
The following rule change is not being implemented for the MLB 2023 season but instead, is being implemented in all 30 Triple-A ballparks in 2023.
Q13g. The use of a technology called the Automatic Balls and Strikes system, or ABS, which use robot umpires to call balls and strikes. All pitch calls are determined by an electronic strike zone.
| N=1,553
|
General
Population |
MLB Fan | Non MLB Fan | Sports
Fan* |
Non Fan | Avid
Fan |
Casual
Fan |
| Agree | 37% | 52% | 23% | 48% | 19% | 59% | 44% |
| Neither agree nor disagree | 36% | 20% | 51% | 26% | 53% | 16% | 30% |
| Disagree | 27% | 28% | 26% | 26% | 28% | 25% | 26% |