Where Did Baseball's Fans Go?

“Balls being put into play have shrunk dramatically, and the strikeout rate has skyrocketed. About 100 years ago, there were well more than twice as many hits than strikeouts in baseball. In 1960, there were 1.7 times as many hits than strikeouts. Last year, there were nearly 3,000 more strikeouts than hits.”

Less balls in play and strikeouts is bad for baseball, this problem is often described as “three true outcome baseball”. This is used in baseball because of the consistency for at-bats to end in either a strikeout, home-run, or walk. However, these outcomes are all bland and turn baseball stale fast. “In most sports besides baseball or football, the game is constantly in action”, the game is dulling as it becomes harder to watch with outcomes becoming significantly more predictable.

MLB can and has taken steps to induce more balls in play, including talks of changing the pitcher’s mound. Making it lower and even moving it back is definitely possible. The recent banning of the shift should also encourage more balls in play.