For starters, runs per game are well within the historical band of normal. Who decided we need more offense? Is that really what people want? Re: game times, a shot clock seems awfully crude. If the goal is to reduce pitch times then isolate what's causing the delays, and address those directly to keep the collateral damage to a minimum. Off the top of my head, these are possible contributors to increasing pitch times that have nothing to do with pitchers staring down batters or a hitter adjusting his gloves * Pickoff throws * Sign coding and re-coding, mound visits by catchers * visits by pitching coaches * Walk up music * Umpires shuttling body armor * Fresh balls that need to be re-rubbed