Pete Alonso Wants Baseball to Be as Free-Flowing as NHL Games

New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso isn’t just known for his towering home runs—he’s also unafraid to speak his mind about the state of baseball. In a recent interview, Alonso made waves by suggesting that Major League Baseball could take a few notes from the NHL when it comes to keeping games exciting and energetic.

Alonso, a three-time All-Star and one of the most charismatic personalities in MLB, believes that baseball still has room to evolve, particularly in the pace and flow of the game. His surprising comparison to NHL games, known for their relentless action and minimal stoppage, has sparked fresh conversation across the sports world.

“I just love the pace of a hockey game,” Alonso said. “You’re constantly engaged. Even when the puck isn’t near the goal, there’s movement, strategy, and intensity. Baseball has improved a lot with the pitch clock and pace-of-play rules, but I think we can go even further.”

Baseball’s Evolution — But Not Quite There Yet

Alonso’s comments come at a time when MLB is actively attempting to revamp its image to appeal to a younger, more entertainment-driven generation of fans. With the introduction of the pitch clock, larger bases, and limited pickoff attempts, the league has already taken significant steps toward speeding up games.

According to MLB, the average game time in 2024 was trimmed down to 2 hours and 39 minutes, a substantial decrease from previous seasons. Players, coaches, and fans alike have welcomed the changes.

Yet, for Alonso, there’s more to the conversation than just time.

“It’s not just about speeding things up,” he said. “It’s about making the entire experience feel alive. Hockey has this continuous motion, and as a player, I think we can bring more of that energy to baseball.”

Alonso’s Vision: What Would a More Free-Flowing MLB Look Like?

So what does Pete Alonso’s ideal version of baseball look like?

While he didn’t propose a full NHL-style overhaul, Alonso hinted at several aspects MLB could explore to foster a more free-flowing, less interrupted game:

• Fewer Mound Visits: “Limit the stoppages,” he suggested. “Let pitchers figure things out without constantly calling time.”

• Automatic Ball/Strike System (ABS): With robot umpires being tested in the minors, Alonso supports tech-assisted strike zones to eliminate long arguments and blown calls.

• Streamlined Replay Reviews: “It’s frustrating when momentum is broken by three-minute delays. Let’s keep it fast and efficient.”

• Shorter Commercial Breaks: Alonso believes shortening the gaps between innings, especially in nationally televised games, would enhance the game-day rhythm.

The NHL Model: What Baseball Can Learn

Hockey, particularly at the NHL level, thrives on continuous play. With line changes on the fly, few timeouts, and a running clock, the NHL provides constant action that keeps fans glued to the screen.

Alonso admires that flow and the lack of downtime.

“Even during substitutions or stoppages, hockey players are hustling to the bench. The game doesn’t stop. You don’t get to overthink — you just react. That’s the kind of tempo that gets fans out of their seats.”

His comparison is notable, considering how stark the cultural difference is between the two sports. Baseball has traditionally been slower, more deliberate — a game of pauses and strategy. Yet Alonso’s point hits home in an era when attention spans are shorter and audiences crave action.

Fan Reaction: Mixed, But Curious

Baseball purists might bristle at the idea of the game morphing into a hockey-style sprint, but many fans—especially younger ones—are intrigued.

Social media reactions to Alonso’s comments have been largely positive, with some fans praising his forward-thinking mindset and willingness to embrace change.

“Pete’s spot on,” wrote one fan on X. “We love baseball, but there’s no reason it can’t be more exciting.”

“Imagine a game with no four-minute mound conferences and no replay dragging things out. That’s what we need,” another commented.

Others, though, argue that baseball’s uniqueness lies in its pacing — that removing too much of the game’s natural rhythm could sacrifice its strategic beauty.

MLB Players Taking the Lead on Innovation

Alonso joins a growing list of MLB stars willing to speak out on ways to modernize the game. From Mookie Betts advocating for more personality and mic’d-up players, to Shohei Ohtani pushing the international growth of the sport, today’s athletes are becoming more than just competitors — they’re ambassadors and innovators.

Alonso’s suggestion may not result in a radical transformation overnight, but it shows that the players themselves are thinking beyond the diamond and looking at the entertainment value of baseball in a highly competitive sports landscape.

The Bottom Line: Passion for the Game

At the core of Pete Alonso’s comments is a deep passion for baseball. He isn’t tearing the sport down—he’s trying to build it up, make it better, and ensure it continues to capture hearts for generations to come.

“I love this game more than anything. That’s why I want it to keep growing. We’ve got an amazing product, and I think we can take it to the next level.”

Whether MLB adopts any of Alonso’s suggestions or not, one thing is clear: the call for faster, more dynamic baseball is growing louder. And with stars like Pete Alonso leading the charge, change might come sooner than anyone expects.