There were 20 home runs hit in the first four games in the New Yankees Stadium, leading many to suggest that the club had built a newer version of Coors Field. However, from Tyler Kepner, we get word that similar runs of homers happened in the old park as well:
But 20 homers over a four-game span is really not that unusual. I just spoke with Tom Hirdt from the Elias Sports Bureau, who reports that in a four-game run in 2007 (July 22, and then July 31, August 1 and August 2), the Yankees and their opponents bashed 26 long balls at the old Yankee Stadium.
There also were 20 or more hit over four-game stretches in 2000, 2003 and 2004, though never before that.
Yes, it would be quite a coincidence if the startling number of homers to start off play in the new park was just a fluke. However, with just four games played to this point, it is a very real possibility. It is too early to determine the park factors on the new ballpark in the Bronx. However, Accuweather’s Gina Cherundolo does have a theory as to why the new park may play differently, if in fact it does:
The old Yankee stadium had more stacked tiers and a large upper deck, acting like a solid wall in effect, which would cause the wind to swirl more and be less concentrated. The new Yankee stadium’s tiers are less stacked, making a less sharp slope from the top of the stadium to the field. This shape could enable winds to blow across the field with less restriction. In addition, the slope of the seating would also lead to a “downslope” effect in the field which, depending on wind direction, would tend to cause air to lift up in the right field. Fly balls going into right field during a gusty west wind would be given more of a lift thus carrying the ball farther out into right field.
If the stadium seating tier shape is indeed the issue, games will only be affected during times with the winds are from a westerly direction and above 10 mph. This typically occurs during the spring and the middle to late fall. The calmer weather during the summer should lead to a smaller number of home runs. In the meantime, the home run derby may continue.
Compelling stuff. It will be interesting to track the number of home runs and offense in general in the new park as the season progresses. Hopefully this early offensive explosion was an anomaly, and the new park plays neutral, as the old one did.
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
8 Responses to Too Early To Call New Stadium A Bandbox
Leave a Reply
TIQ IQ
I heard somewhere that tearing down the old stadium will have a profound effect on the New Stadiums wind velocity & direction.
Again, I was there yesterday. The strangest thing was happening, something I’ve never noticed in the old ballpark. I’m sitting in the 2nd level in foul right field territory. There was a substantial wind blowing right in my face for most of the evening. It was so unusual that I checked the CF flags, and they appeared to be blowing straight in, or not at all.
Now, this was before I heard anyone calling the place a bandbox. First I heard of that was this morning. So its not selective perception on my part.
If this does prove to be the bandbox it appears to be now, there is a simple solution. It doesn’t involve raising any walls or moving any fences, which Bud Seilg will be LOATHE to do, especially mid-season. It affects the integrity of the games already played here that counted. Also, if the people who claim the old stadium is altering wind patterns, well that stadiumn is still fully up and won’t be down completely for a few months, at which point we’ve already played more than half the season. There’s a simpler answer, one you could implement IMMEDIATELY without altering the building whatsoever.
Bud Selig can (quietly) have the Home plate umpires call the high strike, and more importantly give pitchers a few inches off the plate to the left hand side of the batters box. Do so equally for both sides, of course. If hitters have to cover the outer part of the plate, their swings to Right will be more defensive and/or they won’t get good wood on the pitches. That will affect things more than anything you could possibly do at this point.
Hey, Mantle and Maris combined for close to 120 HR’s in 1961.Yankees 3rd string catcher Johnny Blanchard hit over 20.Life went on and planets didn’t collide.
A bit too early to see any longterm pattern here.When the Old stadium is down, the winds will change.
Also when it’s 95 and no wind in July & August life will also be different.
I’m pretty sure that not only would people notice (especially hitters, and then pitchers) but MLB uses a system now on evaluating umpires similar but better then the old questech crap. Selig would be signing his own death warrant by intentionally creating what would become one of the biggest scandals in years. The YES network, and ESPN and FOX do show games, do show strike zones, and replays, with millions of people watching, reporters are going to notice, as are fans, as it everybody. Thats like raising the mound 3 feet and thinking so one is going to notice or say anything.
If the new stadium is a bandbox, so what? For years, coors field was, tiger stadium was, alot of parks are and were. Why is this such a big deal now? I do think its going to be a homer happy stadium until they make adjustments in the off season, but its not a big deal, though the media is going to go bezerk once the summer rolls around. With the warm weather, your really going to see the ball jumping.
Yea, its alot of home runs now (and when it gets warm, it will be even more home runs then), but so what, one year, then fix it.
I hit some 265-270 yd drives on the golf course this past weekend and I’m no youngster anymore.The winds now are more important than the heat later on in terms of balls flying far.
If they are using the small sample size (4 games) to suggest that the stadium is not really a bandbox, remember that the homers started flying out during the two exhibition games with the cubs as well. If it is really a bandbox, it will be interesting to see how the yankees model their teams in the next few years to take advantage of it. In this new post steroid era, a few more homeruns here and there certainly can’t hurt to make the game a little more exciting.
Solid article hope to come back soon,,