Petco Fences Moving In?
October 25th, 2008 by 
Melvin
An astute poster on the Sign On San Diego Padres forums has posted photos from an event in which fans play on the Petco Park field. Sections of the right field alley are marked off with rope on the ground, presumably to aid a decision on a new outfield fence. I took the liberty of drawing an overhead view of the possible changes based on my interpretation of the photos. Anything for your viewing pleasure from your old pal Melvin.
The yellow line is the original fence. The blue, green, and sand lines represent a possible change. The most interesting proposed fence line looks to be the sand colored mark. It would create a new nook from the left of the Cox sign, jutting straight in towards home plate, then changing direction and moving across to cut out the rear porch recess.
To me, the green proposed choice looks the best. It cuts off the most field in the deepest part of the park, without going crazy in wierdness. I’m not a fan of those intentional nooks that have become popular in new ballparks. The “quirkyness” in them just seems so contrived. To me you can’t plan and execute that kind of charm, it has to come about for an actual reason.
Either way, it’s good to improve the absurd pitcher’s advantage of the ballpark. As Ray showed us, Petco isn’t just a normal run of the mill pitcher’s park, it’s one helluva pitcher’s park. It’s time things get a little more fair.
Room for a new Padres bullpen?
Posted in petco park | 
9 Comments »
Sand AND green.
Just do it.
Although I looked at it and hitters just aren’t flying out to the wall in right that much. Not in 2008, at least.
Yes, sand and green.
Although I maintain that this has more than just the affect of capturing a few more homeruns. I think it also may serve to capture the hearts and minds of the Padre lineup. And perhaps the fielders will play a little more shallow, if that means anything I don’t know.
I’d consider it a success if this would put us at around 20-25 in park factor, hell anything less than 30 would be a start.
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Is it too much to ask for the sand and green to line up properly?
@ Homer-
Yes, hearts and minds of Padres hitters, but also free agent hitters. Lets hope the free agent pitchers just aren’t paying attention.
It has been pointed out to me that the Padres lost more home runs than I originally calculated.
Giles alone hit three doubles and a triple at Petco that would go over the (possible) new fence.
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