Why are people complaining about Petco Park's dimensions?

[Blzer]

Re: Why are people complaining about Petco Park's dimensions?

Don't be fooled by Petco's LCF/RCF listed dimensions, they shoot to 402 and 411 (respectively).

Yeah, I knew that, too, I should've listed that. But remember, SBC Park's LCF/RCF are 404 and 421 (with a 24-foot wall). Still farther.

Petco Park is huge... but there's no reason why you can't be successful in it.

I am very glad that a Padres fan can see views outside of their own for defending anything that a Padres player would say. I was never doubting the park's size... definitely not. All that I'm saying is that it's not the only big park in the majors, and its size has just been overstated... that or other parks' size have been understated.

It's just very strange, I'm not sure exactly why I created this topic. It's just one of those rants that you do when you're bored.






By the way, this makes me think... if Comerica Park's center field wall is 420 feet away, how far away are those LCF/RCF corners!?

[BatsareBugs]

Re: Why are people complaining about Petco Park's dimensions?

I know SBC is deeper, but isn't it closer down the lines? Well, the huge wall in Right is the equivilant to whatever kills a "moon shot" to Right at Petco.

And about Comerica... I don't even want to know.

[Blzer]

Re: Why are people complaining about Petco Park's dimensions?

I know SBC is deeper, but isn't it closer down the lines? Well, the huge wall in Right is the equivilant to whatever kills a "moon shot" to Right at Petco.

I thought I talked about this one... the wind always blows in from right at SBC. Not only that, but it goes from 309, straight to 365, straight to 421 from RF - RRCF - RCF.

I guess it's easier to see and understand if you actually go to the ballpark. As for me and Petco, well, I've been there numerous times also... the only place that (like you and I said) that I see is worth complaining about is in right field where the fence quickly goes deep past that 322 marker.

[SportsTop]

Re: Why are people complaining about Petco Park's dimensions?

I thought I talked about this one... the wind always blows in from right at SBC. Not only that, but it goes from 309, straight to 365, straight to 421 from RF - RRCF - RCF.

I guess it's easier to see and understand if you actually go to the ballpark. As for me and Petco, well, I've been there numerous times also... the only place that (like you and I said) that I see is worth complaining about is in right field where the fence quickly goes deep past that 322 marker.

Here's what I don't get about your assessment:

You are eager to point out the atmospheric conditions at SBC (the wind for instance), yet you fail to recognize them at PetCo. The simple fact remains that placement of a ballpark (cardinal direction, location to water, elevation, etc.) plays a notable role in how well the ball does or doesn't carry there.

Let's not kid ourselves either.....Qualcomm was a park that was in the lower third of offensive parks throughout baseball, and it wasn't because of the foul territory.

[Blzer]

Re: Why are people complaining about Petco Park's dimensions?

Here's what I don't get about your assessment:

You are eager to point out the atmospheric conditions at SBC (the wind for instance), yet you fail to recognize them at PetCo. The simple fact remains that placement of a ballpark (cardinal direction, location to water, elevation, etc.) plays a notable role in how well the ball does or doesn't carry there.

Yes, but that would mean that it blows in from one direction, and not the other. So, if it blows in from right field there, righties (ala Nevin, who hit his 6th today) shouldn't be complaining.

Let's not kid ourselves either.....Qualcomm was a park that was in the lower third of offensive parks throughout baseball, and it wasn't because of the foul territory.

I never said that it was a small park, just no Padre ever complained about it, no player as a matter of fact.

[BatsareBugs]

Re: Why are people complaining about Petco Park's dimensions?

Nate Colbert has every right to complain about his hard hit shots just bouncing off the outfield wall at Qualcomm... he just never did.

Anywho, I guess they're just ticked they can't get cheap homers in RCF anymore.

[SportsTop]

Re: Why are people complaining about Petco Park's dimensions?

Yes, but that would mean that it blows in from one direction, and not the other. So, if it blows in from right field there, righties (ala Nevin, who hit his 6th today) shouldn't be complaining.

Again, wind is not the only factor and it's certainly not the main factor at PetCo.

Fact is, most games in baseball today are played at night. It is notably cooler at night in San Diego than it is during the day. Cooler air is thicker than warm air (the same applies to San Francisco) which is going to effect how far the ball carries. In fact, I'd like to see a statistical comparison between day and night games at PetCo. Not to mention that is is now right off the ocean and more salt in the air would cause it to be thicker as well. The players have said it themselves.....the ball just doesn't carry well in that park, especially at night.

There are numerous factors as I stated before. These are just a few.

[MK47]

Re: Why are people complaining about Petco Park's dimensions?

Natural conditions definitely play a role. While the "anti-offense" effect of a sea or lake breeze isn't quite comparable to the "pro-offense" effect of high altitude I am rather sure it does have an impact.
With PetCo Park having rather large dimensions already regardless of that effect, it shouldn't be a surprise that it's a pitchers park. And not only is cool air thicker than warm air, I am rather sure that moist air (which you should find in close proximity to the coast) is thicker than dry air and thus also has an "anti-offense" effect. In a climate like California's a few miles difference in proximity to the open coast can make an incredible difference in conditions. You can find breezy, cool 65 degrees at the coast and scorching 80-90s just 10-15 miles inland. That's bound to have an effect on how HR-friendly a park is. It'd be an interesting experiment to build a PetCo replica about 10 miles further inland and play every 2nd Padres home game there and then compare the statistics.

[DGetz]

Re: Why are people complaining about Petco Park's dimensions?

And not only is cool air thicker than warm air, I am rather sure that moist air (which you should find in close proximity to the coast) is thicker than dry air and thus also has an "anti-offense" effect. In a climate like California's a few miles difference in proximity to the open coast can make an incredible difference in conditions. .

Actually (this is quite interesting) balls travel further when it's humid out, since water vapor is lighter than air, the ball goes through it more easily.

Seems kind of weird doesn't it? I had the same logic until my dad corrected me. Live and learn!

Link: http://www.theweatherprediction.com/habyhints/285/

[MK47]

Re: Why are people complaining about Petco Park's dimensions?

Thank you for that information, I was actually looking for something like that because I wasnt entirely sure. But I should have known since humid air rises which leads to convection. I may add though that with regards to So.California that does not need to be really all that relevant since the moist air at the sea is generally considerably colder than the dry air further inland and thus this effect could well be neutralized.