The 2023 baseball season is underway! It’s a year full of rule changes, and many Americans have differing opinions, especially about the pitch clock. We surveyed more than 1,000 baseball fans from across the US to find out their thoughts on the changes, their plans for the season, and their preferences when it comes to sports betting. One thing is certain: baseball lovers are fans of a faster-paced game.
MLB Fan Opinion on the Pitch Clock
Pitchers are no longer able to take their sweet time before throwing the ball across the plate. One major new rule for the 2023 MLB season is pitchers now have a time limit and must throw a pitch before the clock runs out of time. More than 3 in 5 (62%) MLB fans like the pitch clock rule change. The top reason why fans approve is because it moves the game along and makes it faster.
A faster game is attracting more fans to stadiums: 45% plan to attend more games this year because of the pitch clock rule changes. Among those who have already gone to a game in 2023, 83% said the game went faster, thanks to the rule changes. Based on these results, it’s no surprise 70% of fans prefer speedier MLB games.
However, not all fans like the rule. Among the 22% who disapprove of it, the main reason why is that it ruins the mental game between pitchers and batters.
The pitch clock isn’t the only rule fans are getting used to, 60% of fans like the fact that umpires are checking pitchers’ hands regularly for “the sticky stuff” (illegal foreign substances which can help pitchers grip the ball harder and spin it faster). Remember in 2022 when San Diego Padres pitcher Joe Musgrove was checked by umps for the sticky stuff behind his ears!?
Is Baseball Boring? Fans Weigh In
Shorter games are welcomed by many, as 1 in 2 baseball fans believe MLB games are too long, and 39% admit to calling the sport boring! The boredom has become so bad, nearly 1 in 3 have left a game because it was going too slowly. Slow-moving games are also tough on those watching from home: 55% of fans have turned off a game on TV because it was taking too long.
So, what’s the perfect length? Nearly half (40%) say the ideal MLB game is 2.5 hours long.
This may be a dagger to many hearts: 1 in 4 don’t consider baseball to be America’s pastime anymore and 1 in 10 fans don’t have the attention span for the sport.
Despite these opinions on game length, 79% of fans still plan on attending at least one game this year. Among those who are willing to stick it out, 24% plan on attending one game this season, 30% will go to two, and 15% will make it to three games. The top reasons why people like heading to the ballpark? Spending quality time with friends and family, followed by the atmosphere and experiences, and loving the sport. Additionally, the average fan is willing to spend $130 for a day at the stadium.
Betting on Baseball in 2023
When it comes to betting on MLB games, 31% of fans have placed bets on MLB games or players. Among them, 24% have placed bets from their seats while attending an MLB game. Additionally, 22% always bet with their favorite team or player, indicating that loyalty plays a role in betting decisions.
Throughout the MLB season, 40% of fans place bets at least once a week, and 39% like the idea of having sportsbooks in MLB stadiums. Moreover, 1 in 4 fans would be more likely to visit an MLB stadium that had a sportsbook located within it.
When it comes to which sportsbooks MLB fans use, the survey found that DraftKings and FanDuel are among the top choices.
Whether you’re heading to a ballpark this season or watching it all unfold on TV, one thing is certain: MLB games are looking different in 2023! Whether you’re missing the slow, unhurried pace of baseball games from the past, or soaking up this speedier rendition of the popular American sport, we hope your team has a home run year.
Methodology
In April 2023, we surveyed 1,006 self-reported baseball fans from across the U.S. Respondents ranged in age from 18 to 77 with an average age of 42. 50% identified as male, 49% identified as female, and 1% identified as non-binary or transgender.
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