The scuttlebutt was true: the New York Mets are bringing in the fences at Citi Field for the 2012 season, as well as making some other changes for the team’s 50th-anniversary season.
The fences will be moved in as much as 12 feet in some spots, with the height of the home-run line lowered to eight feet throughout the outfield. The new fence will be blue, while the home-run line and distance markers will remain orange.
The Mets will erect a new wall in left field starting between the New Era and Caesars signs and angled to the Citi sign in left-center. The new wall will be closer to home plate by approximately four feet in left field and up to approximately 12 feet in deep left center.
A new wall will start in right center and extend toward the bullpen, and be as much as approximately 11 feet closer to home plate. The fence in front of the Mo’s Zone/Modell’s Clubhouse will move in approximately 10 feet. The distances from home plate to center field and the foul poles in left field and right field will remain the same.
“We wanted to make Citi Field fair to both pitchers and hitters,” said Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson.
“After conferring with Sandy and all members of his staff, ownership concurred with the recommendation to change the dimensions at Citi Field,” said Mets COO Jeff Wilpon. “We decided to change the outfield wall from black to Mets blue, which many of our fans have wanted.”
Changes fences certainly is nothing new or unique to Citi Field; it’s rare the ballpark where fences weren’t changed after a ballpark opened. We all remember the Detroit Tigers moving in the fences at Comerica Park; we all remember the Minnesota Twins erecting Plexiglas shields to prevent the number of home runs at the Metrodome; we all remember the Boston Red Sox moving in the right-field fences at Fenway Park to benefit Ted Williams.
As a result of moving the walls in, the Mets will create a new seating section in left field between the new and existing wall to accommodate about 100 fans. The club will also expand the Modell’s Clubhouse in right field to incorporate an outdoor seating area for approximately 40 additional fans.
Another change in the works: another round of bricks for the new Citi Field Fanwalk, as Mets 50th Anniversary commemorative bricks will provide fans the opportunity to recognize their families, friends, and favorite Mets memories since the franchise first began play in 1962.
The first two editions of Citi Field Fanwalk bricks sold out with fans purchasing more than 24,000 bricks. The first offering of bricks directly outside the Jackie Robinson Rotunda was installed prior to the inaugural season at the new Mets home in 2009. The Fanwalk was extended down the first base and third base lines the following year with Citi Field Fanwalk: Amazin’ Moments bricks commemorating great moments in Mets history.
Fans will be able to purchase bricks in three sizes:
- 8″ x 8″ brick engraved with the Mets 50th anniversary logo or Mets script logo and four lines of text for $395
- 8″ x 8″ brick with six lines of text for $340
- 4″ x 8″ brick with three lines of text for $195
Each Citi Field Fanwalk: Mets 50th Anniversary brick includes a complimentary replica, with additional copies and display cases available for purchase. All brick engravings will be text only, and each proposed message is subject to the approval of the Mets. Corporate logos and slogans are not permitted.
A portion of each brick purchase is tax deductible and net proceeds will be donated to the Mets Foundation, which will distribute the funds to area charities.
RELATED STORIES: Mets already reconfiguring Citi Field: report; Mets considering offseason changes to Citi Field
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