Could there be a more indirect way to extend relief appearances? I don't really think we need to eliminate specialists, but it would be great to limit the number of relief pitcher changes. So how about we take a page out of hockey's roster rules?

If I understand correctly, hockey teams have a roster of 23 players, but only 20 can be "dressed" and eligible to play in any particular game. What if for baseball we limit managers to using a maximum of five pitchers in a game (including the starter)?

This would allow managers to play matchups if they felt the need, but would also give them incentive to get some more outs from their starters and/or carry a long man. It looks like the Twins averaged 4.17 pitchers used per game last season, so I think this rule change would have some impact.

I think managers would view that fifth and final pitcher similar to how they currently view backup catchers. They only put those guys into a game when it's absolutely necessary in fear of being left with nobody to catch. So putting the cap at five would probably mean you're really only going to see managers use four pitchers tops each game.

Just an idea I've had rattling around in my head for a couple months, what do you think?

I think the changes they made are appropriate so far. 

While I think they need to be careful with pitcher/catcher communication, six visits is a pretty good number with the option to appeal for an extra one.

The :20 shave between innings takes 6 minutes off the game.  If that same time reduction also applies for pitching changes, then that could average another 2 minutes.

I honestly don't want the pitch clocks, pitch clock penalties or bullpen rules changed. Promote a sense of urgency from the minor leagues up. You can handle the Mike Pelfreys, Jose Conteras' and David Justices (just three slow down players that I can think of off the top of my head) on an individual basis.

I can't find the post or even recall if it was on this forum, but the idea of using technology to get the fans more involved in the game is a great idea as well.  As an example, consolidated game viewing is a great option.  You actually get a decent feel for the ebb and flow of the game, if it's done right. 

As far as the fans going to the park, I don't think these changes will really matter to them.  You either have fans like the OP that love every aspect of the game and time doesn't matter, or you have the casual fans.  The casual fans are going to be worried about things like "beating traffic", "getting junior to bed", "how close is the score", "do I have a late night event that I'd like to get to".  Those people already paid their admission, bought their concessions and visited the pro shop, so the revenue has been captured.  Is keeping them at the game until it's over a big concern to MLB? I'm not sure what the game length target is, but I don't see the proposed changes as significant enough to affect the live audience.

TV/Streaming media is different, but I think the key with keeping and drawing fans there is putting as much as possible in the palm of their hand.

I do like the idea of dressing less players, and I really don't want to eliminate specialists, but just make decisions on best spots to use them. I really would want to let SP pitch longer, or make it more of a priority. SP get the hook quickly, I also think managers wear out bullpens too easily.

You had me at "purist" (but then you lost me at some point

To develop one of your ideas. I think just training umpires to keep the game moving would be best. This could be happening at lower levels where actually games can move pretty quickly already, but umpires could be empowered to call automatic balls or strikes against players who take too much time. I remember an at bat late last season (might have been the playoffs) where Aaron Hicks took the first pitch, then called time, stepped out of the box, and got down on the ground to re-tie his shoe. The umpire should be empowered -- encouraged -- to motion to the pitcher to pitch, instead of tolerating an unnecessary delay like that.

As for the changes for 2018, I never liked the pitch clock but I would trade the whole lot of these recent changes for the pitch clock. I hate the idea of limiting mound visits, though I don't think it will be that noticeable. I came to like the 2;35 minute break between half innings. I watch a lot of games at the bars and I need that extra thirty seconds to "finish my job" sometimes. They could make it 2:00 minutes at the end of innings at keep it 2:30 at half innings. Also, replay? Manfred? Anyone?

Most of all, I want MLB to stop modeling itself after the NFL.

Five hour games are ridiculous and we saw a couple of those last postseason. But mostly I'm not too upset by games regularly going 3:20 or so.

I think the "baseball guys" in general aren't really motivated by shortening the games. I am just saying if I was Rob Manfred I would have to look at baseball as a whole and continue to grow the game. The general public wants shorter games, I would love an outside the box way to make it more captivating and shorten. I like to see others opinions, again, if it were up to me not much would change.