Though the team’s 2012 season wasn’t a totally successful one, New York Mets officials say they’re pleased with the decision to bring in the fences at Citi Field.
At first glance, moving in the fences didn’t immediately benefit the team: out of the 46 homers that would have stayed in the park last season, 25 were hit by visiting teams, compared with the 21 hit by the Mets. But Citi Field isn’t a homer haven; the end result of the reconfiguration was to change perceptions of how the ballpark plays — and with David Wright and Ike Davis having pretty good seasons, the move may have some good long-term effects in retaining talent. From Newsday:
“It’s a fair park now,” Mets manager Terry Collins said. “It’s still a pitcher’s park for me, it’s still a big park, there’s a lot of room in that outfield. But I think the change in dimensions certainly lifted the confidence of a lot of the guys in our lineup.”
The Seattle Mariners are moving in the fences at Safeco Field for 2013; look for the San Diego Padres and Minnesota Twins to consider similar changes to their spacious ballparks in future seasons.
Photo by Kwong Yee Cheng, via flicker.com.
RELATED STORIES: Mariners to move in the fences for 2013; New fences a success for Mets; other teams may follow; Wedge: Forget I said anything about moving in the fences at Safeco Field; Wedge: Let’s look at moving in Safeco Field fences; 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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