That's the beauty of the game to me.

(Although too many extra innings can be a drag.)

I forget the exact year but it was a Saturday game of the week between the Mets and Cardinals. I got off work at 5 pm and thought I'd catch an inning or two after I got home. But the game went on and on with many twists and turns. It finally ended at around 9:00 or so. By then, I didn't really feel like going out so I just stayed home and marveled at the game I had just watched between two teams I care little about.

Rochester red Wings and Pawtucket Red Sox in Pawtucket, RI.. Played on a Sat night and well into Sunday.. Easter. morningi 1981 before it was postponed, still tied..
it was finished several months later.. and rather quickly, I might add.

Wade Boggs and Cal Ripken, Jr. played.

There is a wonderful book about it - BOTTOM OF THE 33RD. And not just about the game.....

Longest game I ever attended happened to be the Red Wings also, in Rochester, 17 innings, as I remember... it was freakin' cold. Almost everybody had left.. maybe 50 of us die hards still hanging' on.
All the concession stands had closed long ago, so, the General Manager ordered PIZZA for everyone !!!!! Is that too cool or what,,,

And a ball game can be similar to watching a movie. The drama can build until the thrilling (or disappointing) climax. And besides, what's better than taking three hours out of one's day to have a few cold ones and watch a ball game?

As someone who is at best a casual fan, I get bored pretty quickly by them. But, in fairness to me and the good people who think they are not getting too long, I know so little about the sport or the teams or the individual players that my ignorance is a factor.

Oh, and I have read "Bottom of the 33rd" and it's an incredible book. If this non-baseball person thinks it's a good book, the rest of you should race out and get it. As Pangaia said, it's not just about the game. It profiles players, managers, fans who stuck it out to the very end, even the bat boys. Great book! Read it!

but all sports are now - mostly due to TV and all the damned commercials.

NO the games are not too long

stretch and a deranged lady starts belting a really, really bad rendition of "God Bless America" on a crappy PA system.

That gives you the whole bottom of the seventh to score; the wise ones head for the line while the awful lady is still singing.

They are the stuff of summer! Long, warm, and sunny days. Perfect relaxation at the game!

What is your favorite song?

They say, for example, "Here Comes the Sun."

I say: Would it sound better if someone sped it up?

Thought not.