Major League Baseball concluded a remarkable 2025 campaign, marking its third consecutive year of attendance growth and shattering numerous viewership records across platforms. The implementation of rule changes, including the Pitch Clock, revitalized the game’s pace and excitement.
Want to know what people are really saying? Don’t miss the buzz from Reddit at the end!
The Comeback Season: MLB’s Triumphant Return to Glory
After years of stagnation, Major League Baseball roared back to life in 2025, captivating fans with a thrilling season that saw attendance soar to 71,409,421 – the highest total since 2007. This milestone marked the first time since 2005-2007 that MLB witnessed three straight years of attendance increases. Numerous teams set franchise records or achieved totals they hadn’t seen in decades, a testament to the league’s resurgence. The third season of the Pitch Clock, the hallmark of the rule changes, continued to generate crisper games with less dead time and more action. “MLB Press Release“
Faster, Crisper, More Action: How Rule Changes Revitalized the Game
The implementation of the Pitch Clock and other rule modifications proved instrumental in revitalizing the game’s pace and excitement. The average game time for 2025 was a brisk 2:38, marking the third consecutive season under 2:40 – a feat not achieved since 1983-1985. Remarkably, only three nine-inning games lasted 3:30 or longer, a stark contrast to the 391 such games in 2021. The changes injected a newfound crispness and urgency, keeping fans engaged from first pitch to final out.
Viewership Explosion: MLB Captivates Audiences Across Platforms
MLB’s resurgence extended far beyond stadium gates, as viewership skyrocketed across various platforms. National broadcasters like FOX, FS1, ESPN, and TBS all achieved their highest ratings in years, with double-digit percentage increases. Even regional sports networks saw a slight uptick despite declining cable subscribers. MLB Network’s game coverage and studio shows also experienced significant viewership gains, while NHK in Japan recorded its highest regular season viewership ever.
The Future Is Now: MLB’s Youth Movement Gains Momentum
In a promising sign for the sport’s future, MLB’s efforts to attract younger fans yielded impressive results. The average age of ticket buyers on the primary and secondary markets dropped to 43 and 39, respectively – a significant decrease from previous seasons. National broadcast partners also saw increases in their youth and young adult audiences, indicating a growing connection with the next generation of fans.
Record-Shattering Performances: A Season for the Ages
The 2025 season will be remembered not only for its attendance and viewership milestones but also for the remarkable individual performances that captivated fans. Seven players achieved the elusive 30/30 mark (30 home runs and 30 stolen bases), setting an all-time single-season record. Four players hit 50+ home runs, matching the most in a season in MLB history. Cal Raleigh shattered the record for homers by a catcher with 49, while Aaron Judge tied the all-time mark for 50-homer seasons in a career with four. Shohei Ohtani became the first player ever to hit 50 homers and record 50 strikeouts as a pitcher in the same season, building on his groundbreaking 2024 campaign. Legends like Clayton Kershaw and Paul Skenes also etched their names in the record books, cementing 2025 as a truly unforgettable year for baseball.
What the Internet is Saying About Baseball’s Resurgence
The implementation of rule changes like the Pitch Clock and other modifications has been widely praised by fans for injecting a newfound crispness and urgency into the game. As one Redditor noted, “The new rules are doing good work” in revitalizing the pace and excitement of baseball. Another commenter highlighted the benefits of specific changes, stating, “I’m ambivalent towards the ghost runner, but the pitch clock and three batter minimum are great additions.” The rule changes have clearly resonated with fans, who are appreciating the faster-paced and more action-packed games.
While the rule changes have been widely praised, some fans have expressed concerns about certain aspects, such as the ghost runner rule. As one Redditor pointed out, “Ghost runner’s biggest benefit is to keep pitchers fresher all year. Sucks on a per game basis but solid boost to the overall season, especially with how bad the IL plague already is.” This perspective highlights the tradeoffs involved in implementing new rules, as some may have a positive impact on the overall season but be less popular on a per-game basis.
Beyond the rule changes, fans have also expressed their enthusiasm for the renewed interest in baseball. One Redditor took a jab at the “NBA nephews” who dismissed baseball as a “dead sport,” highlighting the sport’s resurgence in attendance and viewership. Another commenter noted the broader appeal of baseball, stating, “Baseball games are fun to go to, even for non fans, if ticket costs remain reasonable.” This suggests that the sport’s rejuvenation is not limited to die-hard fans but is also attracting new audiences, a crucial factor in its continued success.