Marlins Park: Is it Too Big?

The short answer is no. So many of the newer parks were built to have what should be routine fly balls become home runs. The idea is that we as fans want to see the long ball. There is truth to that. However, the real reason for the short fences is to make the spoiled brats that play the game happy. They can get their 25-40 homers without breaking a sweat. They can then present those numbers when it’s time to negotiate a deal and get top dollar.

The Marlins have always played in a large park. I hope there isn’t the reactionary move made by management to pull the fences in for next year. We see it happening more and more; the Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, and New York Yankees most recently. Large parks will benefit pitching and speed. Jose Reyes hit 16 triples last year because of the cavernous gaps in Citi Field. Marlins Park has those kinds of dimensions.

The alternative is to create an atmoshpere like the one in Philly where a pop-up somehow finds its way out of the building. A home run in Marlins Park, and many other parks for that matter, is a true home run, not a cheappie!

Let’s not judge the stadium so quickly. When the roof is closed the balls will fly. When the roof’s open the ball will not travel. The good news for HR fans is that the roof will be closed 90% of the time. The next time Giancarlo Stanton hits a shot to right center field that looks like a home run, it most likely will be.  I love the new building. The players, both home and visiting, will adapt.