During offseason, Marlins to consider moving in fences at Marlins Park
MIAMI -- Group Miami Marlins manager Dan Jennings with those in favor of altering the dimensions at spacious Marlins Park.
On Wednesday, Marlins president David Samson spoke with MLB.com about the organization considering moving in and lowering the fences at one of the toughest places to hit a home run. In it, Samson said the Marlins wanted to make a decision for the 2016 season.
"I'm in favor of it," Jennings said. "Certain parts of the ballpark I'm definitely in favor of. I know (president of baseball operations) Mike Hill and I -- when we were upstairs -- used to argue all the time when a ball was hit or not hit. It would hit the wall and I would always yell, 'Bring them in,' And then when a ball was hit and the opposing guy hit it, Mike would say, 'Keep them back.' We kind of had a running debate all the time."
Down the left-field line, a batter must hit the ball 344 feet. The left-center gap goes to 386 feet, 418 to center, 392 in the right-center gap and 335 down the right-field line. The walls range from 11 1/2 to 13 feet high.
Although it might negatively affect the pitching (Marlins pitchers have a 3.71 ERA at home in 2015, eighth in National League), it could positively influence the hitting and defense. Earlier this homestand, for example, Ichiro Suzuki had to settle for a triple rather than a homer on a deep fly to right-center. Gold Glover Christian Yelich and Gold Glove finalist Giancarlo Stanton wouldn't have to play as deep and would have the chance of robbing batters.
Aside from Stanton's 13 home runs at home, Martin Prado is next with five. Justin Bour and JT Realmuto have four apiece, while Opening Day outfielders Christian Yelich and Marcell Ozuna each have just one.
Since the ballpark's inaugural season in 2012, the Marlins have hit 192 homers in 308 games -- 29th of 30 ballclubs. This season, Miami ranks 26th in baseball with 42 home runs at home in 65 contests.
"I think it will help," Jennings said. "I think it will help the ballpark play more fair. Certainly our pitchers want it pushed back. They'd like them pushed back even farther. I don't blame them that way. It would be good for the game, good for excitement. I know I read where there was talk maybe the height of the wall coming down. You know what? You see Giancarlo or some of our outfielders get a chance to crawl up on the wall and take away a home run. so that's exciting. If that's what (owner) Jeffrey (Loria) and David have in plan then I think it could be fun."
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
