The average length of a nine-inning Major League game dropped this season for the first time since 2018.

The average this season was 3 hours, 3 minutes, 44 seconds, according to the commissioner's office. The figure declined from a record 3:10:07 last year and was the lowest since 3:00:44 in four years.

The decrease in time is likely helped by the introduction of the PitchCom electronic device to signal pitches.

PitchCom allows catchers to input signs to a wristband device and pitchers to listen to audio tucked inside their cap. It has helped cut down the number of times pitchers stepped off the rubber to go over hand signals from catchers.

Rob Manfred announced in September that a pitch clock will be introduced in the Major Leagues next season, a decision made by the sport's 11-man competition committee over the unanimous opposition of the panel's four players.