Post by Birdie Sanders on Feb 1, 2014 14:44:27 GMT -5
After a bad finish to the 2005 season, the Reds have announced that this off season, they will change the dimensions of Riverfront Stadium. The new dimensions will be the following:
Left Field Line - 360 ft
Left Field - 380 ft
Left-Center Field - 420 ft
Center Field - 440 ft
Right-Center Field - 420 ft
Right Field - 380 ft
Right Field Line - 360 ft
The fence heights throughout the park will be at 10 feet.
These new dimensions will turn Riverfront Stadium, which has been more hitter friendly over the years looks to become a pitchers playground. Reducing the amount of balls leaving the park might discourage fans or it will bring fans with a chance to see Josh Beckett, Rocky Biddle, Nick Neugebauer, and 2006 hopeful and current top system prospect Ian Snell.
The Reds are desperate to do anything to get the team moving in a better direction. Their financial situation is not healthy and their fan interest is the lowest in all of baseball. Since their last NL Central title in 1995, the Reds have had just one winning season since, which was in 1999.
General Manager George Andrews is excited about the new dimensions and hopes it can help the Reds do better in the future. "Our future is mainly built around our pitching, so the goal is to take advantage of our pitching talent and get the most production out of them.
"It's been frustrating to pitch well in many starts and get very little run support. I have faith in our offense to do better in the future, but if the other hitters aren't hitting the ball as far, it can only help our pitching that much more," said ace Josh Beckett, who has just finished his third season.
hey if it shrinks my home runs and turns them into LONG fly balls, i am 110% confident in the guys that play the diamond behind me. Fans might actually want my Autograph then," Biddle stated when interviewed.
The Reds' hitters of course were not as happy with the changes, but are optimistic that it could be best for the team. "We have so many good pitchers here, like Josh and Neugey, plus Wagner and Baez in the bullpen. They are better than the numbers will say and hopefully, next season, they will really be able to show it. Will our offensive numbers suffer more? Possibly, but we're just gonna work harder and hit the weight room more and become better hitters. You don't need to hit a bunch of home runs to score runs," said right fielder Greg Dobbs, who led the team with 76 RBI.
First baseman Dan Johnson added, "These kinds of dimensions have worked in the past. The Giants have one of the most notorious pitcher's parks and they were able to win 3 championships within 4 seasons. The Padres GM once called us a "singles team", lets pepper the field, move guys over, play smart baseball."
The Reds also announced they will be paying $10 million from their stadium account in order for these changes to happen. The dimensions should be ready by Opening Day in 2006. Hopefully, the Reds themselves will be ready as well!
Left Field Line - 360 ft
Left Field - 380 ft
Left-Center Field - 420 ft
Center Field - 440 ft
Right-Center Field - 420 ft
Right Field - 380 ft
Right Field Line - 360 ft
The fence heights throughout the park will be at 10 feet.
These new dimensions will turn Riverfront Stadium, which has been more hitter friendly over the years looks to become a pitchers playground. Reducing the amount of balls leaving the park might discourage fans or it will bring fans with a chance to see Josh Beckett, Rocky Biddle, Nick Neugebauer, and 2006 hopeful and current top system prospect Ian Snell.
The Reds are desperate to do anything to get the team moving in a better direction. Their financial situation is not healthy and their fan interest is the lowest in all of baseball. Since their last NL Central title in 1995, the Reds have had just one winning season since, which was in 1999.
General Manager George Andrews is excited about the new dimensions and hopes it can help the Reds do better in the future. "Our future is mainly built around our pitching, so the goal is to take advantage of our pitching talent and get the most production out of them.
"It's been frustrating to pitch well in many starts and get very little run support. I have faith in our offense to do better in the future, but if the other hitters aren't hitting the ball as far, it can only help our pitching that much more," said ace Josh Beckett, who has just finished his third season.
hey if it shrinks my home runs and turns them into LONG fly balls, i am 110% confident in the guys that play the diamond behind me. Fans might actually want my Autograph then," Biddle stated when interviewed.
The Reds' hitters of course were not as happy with the changes, but are optimistic that it could be best for the team. "We have so many good pitchers here, like Josh and Neugey, plus Wagner and Baez in the bullpen. They are better than the numbers will say and hopefully, next season, they will really be able to show it. Will our offensive numbers suffer more? Possibly, but we're just gonna work harder and hit the weight room more and become better hitters. You don't need to hit a bunch of home runs to score runs," said right fielder Greg Dobbs, who led the team with 76 RBI.
First baseman Dan Johnson added, "These kinds of dimensions have worked in the past. The Giants have one of the most notorious pitcher's parks and they were able to win 3 championships within 4 seasons. The Padres GM once called us a "singles team", lets pepper the field, move guys over, play smart baseball."
The Reds also announced they will be paying $10 million from their stadium account in order for these changes to happen. The dimensions should be ready by Opening Day in 2006. Hopefully, the Reds themselves will be ready as well!