By Danny B Sports
So far, so quick.
The average game last week took roughly 11 minutes less to play than compared to the first six days of the 2014 season, according to data from Stats Inc.
Entering play Sunday, nine-inning games were taking on average 2 hours, 54 minutes, down from 3:05 during the same period last year. Though it's unclear if new pace rules - which includes timed inning breaks and hitters keeping a foot in the batter's box - are playing a part in the decrease, players and managers alike acknowledge the changes have been positive.
''The biggest thing I see is the rhythm of the game,'' Boston Red Sox outfielder Shane Victorino said. ''You look up at the clock and you know, 'OK, I've got about 45 seconds. I have two more throws and then we're ready to go.'''
Another factor in the faster times could be scoring. The 8.34 average runs scored per game through Sunday is the second-lowest to start a season in 23 years.
There's also been a marginal improvement on pitcher's pace, however, the data is far too sparse to reach any sort of conclusion. Last year, the number of qualified pitchers who took more than 20 seconds between pitches was 79. That figure has dropped to 65 through the first week of the season.
- With files from The Associated Press
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