If CF was shortened to 400 feet in MMP, could the space be remodeled and closed off so that it became useful as another food service on the main floor concourse level?
This will be short and sour/sweet. We’ve already danced the cogent issues to death: (1) Contrived or not, the hill is part of our ballpark’s identity; (2) It is a tribute to the man, Tal Smith, who has done more than any other over the past half century to the building of everything that is positive and enjoyably memorable about major league baseball in Houston, in spite of any recently intended or misinformed efforts to treat him as just another discardable employee from the previous ownership. If anyone’s name beyond that of Tal Smith more belongs on the new “Astros Walk of Fame,” player or not, I cannot imagine who that would be; (3) The 436 feet deep center field distance that marks the back wall of Tal’s Hill must remain, regardless of what happens to the field bump itself. It is that Polo Grounds similar deep center effect that allows pitchers the space to survive at MMP by learning to force batters up the middle with most of their power blows. Move that CF distance in to 400 feet and the place becomes the inescapable band box/pin ball game field that scared the success out of Jose Lima and a few others back in the ballpark’s opening 2ooo season. Measurements of 315-400-325 feet would light things up pretty good.
So?
We keep reading that quote from Jim Crane that (unidentified) fans keep telling him, or asking him, “what do we need all that space in center field for?” And Mr. Crane’s comment is along the lines that these fans (“minor shareholders?”) have a point because ownership has been thinking of many other uses for that same Tal’s Hill space?
Like what? It’s not as though you can build anything in center field that is any way mobile or distracting to the batter? In fact dead center field needs to be that agreed upon deep green color that we see in every other MLB park.
So what is Mr. Crane talking about?
Better question – Why was it so hard to see what he probably was talking about? Bear with me. I could be wrong here, but maybe not:
If you knock out Tal’s Hill and move the CF distance in about 35-40 feet closer to home plate, it opens the door open to restructuring that abandoned area into retail space that is only approachable, or viewable, from the concourse area. It could become an Astros Hall of Fame, but, more than likely, it could become another food and beverage retailer or souvenir shop.
Last Word from this fan: Please leave Tal’s Hill where it is. Or, if you cannot leave this fitting reminder of a truly great figure in Astros/Colt .45s history in place, at least, leave the outfield distance in CF at 436 feet. Our young pitchers deserve a home field advantage, not a “limanizing” baptism in the bandbox that MMP becomes with a shorter center field wall.
Tags: Tal's Hill
The Pecan Park Eagle 
September 2, 2012 at 4:03 pm |
I totally agree, Bill. How anyone who knows the game of baseball could think for one second that bringing those center field fences in would not change not only the immediate game but also the ability to sign any free agent pitching is frankly beyond my belief. We don’t need the concept of short term greed to dictate our field dimensions.
September 2, 2012 at 4:10 pm |
I think your plea will fall on deaf ears, Bill. But if, as a few suggest, that the Crawford Boxes and the scoreboard in left be relocated to where the home bullpen is and the home bullpen exist under the left field concourse next to the visitor’s bullpen, then bringing the fence in center to where the warning track now is makes the entire ballpark more fair with perhaps some shortness to the right-center power alley but otherwise a park of more normal dimensions.
Since the only true power hitter in the organization is a lefty hitter (Singleton), then this might actually be a “home field advantage” going forward. It’s not like righty hitters won’t still have an easy poke. It just won’t be as ridiculously easy as it is now.
September 2, 2012 at 5:02 pm |
Wrong to blaming the Astros failures on the baseball field deminsions,Tal’s hill ,or Crawford Boxes ,they have nothing to do with the current team’s poor play and the bad managment’s goofy leadership ,all this leading us to the AL next year ,,,,misery here we come,
September 3, 2012 at 1:48 pm |
Leave it alone. I hate ballparks that create inner fences and removes the closeness of the bleachers. Hated in in the Dome and every other park where this has occurred.
September 4, 2012 at 2:33 am |
Well said! I hope the “powers that be” are listening!!!