This wasn’t an issue when the Seattle Mariners won 116 games under Lou Piniella in 2001, but apparently the Safeco Field dimensions are a problem for Eric Wedge in 2012.
Talk about moving in the fences came up again this week after two long drives that could have been homers at other parks ended up as warning-track outs. After the game, Wedge was asked again about the possibility of the team moving in the fences, and he responded that it’s still a possibility:
“[GM] Jack [Zduriencik] and I talk every day,” Wedge told MLB.com. “Jack talks to the powers that be on a daily basis. When the season is done, we’re going to talk about everything. And I mean everything, both on and off the field, in regard to the field and anything surrounding that. I’ll leave it at that.”
Talk of moving in fences is in vogue in Major League Baseball parks. The Miami Marlins are already under a little pressure to move them in at a ballpark only open for two months. This season the New York Mets pulled in the fences at Citi Field after batters complained about the spacious power alleys and outfielders complained about the asymmetric dimensions. They’re not alone: both the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies pulled in the fences after their new ballparks opened. The San Diego Padres are looking at pulling in the fences at Petco Park, and the Minnesota Twins are ignoring calls to pull in the fences at Target Field.
RELATED STORIES: Marlins: No plans to move in ballpark fences; New fences at Citi Field not a factor — yet; Padres looking at moving in Petco Park fences; Mets retooling: closer fences, more hospitality; Twins: We like Target Field fences where they are; It’s official: Mets altering outfield fences for 2012; Mets already reconfiguring Citi Field: report; Mets considering offseason changes to Citi Field
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