How Long Does The Average Baseball Game Last?

How long does the average baseball game last? It depends on a number of factors, but here is a look at the average length of a Major League Baseball game.

Introduction

The average baseball game lasts around three hours. However, there is significant variation depending on the teams involved, the stadium, and the climate. Games can last anywhere from two hours to four hours or more. In general, night games tend to be shorter than day games, and games played in warm weather are shorter than those played in cold weather.

The Length of a Baseball Game

The average baseball game lasts about three hours. That may not seem like a long time, but when you factor in the time between pitches, innings, and commercial breaks, it can start to feel like a long time. There are a few things that contribute to the length of a baseball game.

The Average Length of a Baseball Game

The average length of a Major League Baseball (MLB) game has increased by approximately five minutes over the last decade, according to research by FiveThirtyEight. In 2017, the average MLB game lasted 3 hours and 8 minutes, up from 2 hours and 50 minutes in 2007.

A number of factors have contributed to the increase in game length, including more opportunities for commercials and a higher number of pitching changes. At the same time, the average number of innings per game has remained relatively static over the past few decades.

The longest MLB game on record lasted 24 innings and lasted nearly seven hours. It was played between the Brooklyn Dodgers and Boston Braves on May 1, 1920.

The Length of a Baseball Game by Position

The length of a baseball game varies depending on the position played.

Pitcher: A pitcher typically plays for six innings.

Catcher: A catcher may play all nine innings.

Infielder: An infielder usually plays all nine innings.

Outfielder: An outfielder typically plays all nine innings.

The Length of a Baseball Game by Inning

The average baseball game consists of nine innings, each of which is supposed to last three outs. However, the reality is that the length of baseball games can vary greatly depending on a number of factors. Let’s take a closer look at the length of a baseball game by inning.

The Length of a Baseball Game by Inning – Starting Pitchers

###The Length of a Baseball Game by Inning – Starting Pitchers

The average length of a baseball game has been steadily increasing over the years. In 1975, the average game time was 2 hours and 33 minutes. In 2017, it was 3 hours and 7 minutes. The increase is due in large part to the increased number of pitching changes in today’s game. In 1975, there were an average of 2.73 pitching changes per game. In 2017, there were an average of 3.82 pitching changes per game.

While the increased number of pitching changes is the primary reason for the increased length of games, there are other factors as well. One is that batters are taking more pitches now than they did in the past. In 1975, batters saw an average of 3.69 pitches per plate appearance. In 2017, they saw an average of 3.97 pitches per plate appearance. Additionally, games have more commercials now than they did in the past and there are more breaks between innings for teams to change pitchers.

The length of a baseball game can also vary depending on the type of pitcher a team has starting the game. Starting pitchers who work quickly and don’t need much time between innings to warm up tend to throw shorter games than starting pitchers who take their time on the mound and need more time to warm up between innings. Additionally, starting pitchers who pitch deep into games are usually associated with longer game times than starting pitchers who are taken out early in the game.

The Length of a Baseball Game by Inning – Relief Pitchers

It is widely accepted that the average baseball game lasts about three hours. However, this does not account for the dramatic increase in game length seen in recent years. In fact, the average length of aNine-inning baseball game has increased by more than half an hour since 1981, when it was 2:46.

While this trend may be partly due to the increased popularity of baseball and the increased number of games being played, it is also due to a number of other factors. One of the most significant is the use of relief pitchers.

Inning 1-3: On average, each inning will last around 15 minutes. This is due to the fact that there are usually only three outs per inning, and that each batter only gets a few pitches to hit.

Inning 4-6: As the game progresses, innings tend to last a bit longer. Inning four will usually last around 18 minutes, while inning six will last 20 minutes on average. This is due to the fact that there are more base runners as the game goes on, and that pitchers tend to tire as the game progresses.

Inning 7-9: The longest innings are typically those late in the game. Inning seven will last around 22 minutes on average, while inning nine will last 24 minutes. This is due to the fact that there are often more base runners late in the game, and that managers will often use their best relief pitchers during these innings.

The Length of a Baseball Game by Team

The average baseball game last around 3 hours. But, the length of a baseball game can differ by team. The Yankees have the longest average game time, while the Marlins have the shortest.Keep reading to see how your team stacks up!

The Length of a Baseball Game by Team – American League

The average baseball game lasted 3 hours and 2 minutes in 2019, up eight minutes from 2018, according to Major League Baseball. That’s the longest the average game has been since 2015, when games averaged 3 hours. The 2019 season saw a record-high average of
3:10 for a nine-inning game,MLB said.

The New York Yankees had the longest games, averaging 3:18. The Chicago White Sox were next at 3:16, followed by the Houston Astros (3:15), Los Angeles Angels (3:14) and Seattle Mariners (3:13).

At the other end of the spectrum were the San Diego Padres, who had the shortest games at 2:56. The San Francisco Giants were next at 2:58, followed by the Colorado Rockies (2:59), Pittsburgh Pirates (2:59) and Arizona Diamondbacks (3:00).

The Length of a Baseball Game by Team – National League

On average, a National League game lasts about 3 hours. The range in game length is due to the fact that teams have different numbers of innings in which they score. For example, the Chicago Cubs have 6 innings in which they score, while the Milwaukee Brewers have only 3. The table below shows the average game length for each team in the National League.

Team name | Average game length (in minutes)
— | —
Arizona Diamondbacks | 210
Atlanta Braves | 195
Chicago Cubs | 195
Cincinnati Reds | 185
Colorado Rockies | 205
Los Angeles Dodgers | 185
Miami Marlins | 185
Milwaukee Brewers | 175
New York Mets | 185
Philadelphia Phillies | 210
Pittsburgh Pirates | 185
San Diego Padres | 215
San Francisco Giants | 200
St. Louis Cardinals | 205

Conclusion

In conclusion, the average baseball game lasts about three hours. However, there is significant variation depending on the teams playing, the location of the game, and other factors. If you’re looking to catch a quick game, aim for weekday afternoon games played in ballparks on the west coast. If you’re hoping to see a long game with plenty of action, look for games between traditional rivals played on weekends in parks located in the eastern half of the country.