The New House in the Bronx

My first game at the new Yankee Stadium started with a bang -- as Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins homered to short right field on the first pitch of the night from Yankee starter A.J. Burnett. (Above: he's ready to make contact; below: he's about touch home plate with the run.)As I said on my early April visit for the pre-season workout, the new Stadium appears impressive, bordering on majestic. Good sightlines, an excess of amenities including the world's largest video replay board and a sense of connection to both the original and renovated (1970s) predecessor.
Phillies outfielder Jayson Werth joined the home run parade (there were seven in this game) with a laser shot that landed (below) in the middle deck in the left field seats. This did not happen in the old stadium. Now, bombs like his seem nearly routine.
The one issue is how small the new Stadium plays. While the distances to the outfield fences are identical to its predecessor, it plays very small. 82 home runs have been hit in the new Stadium's first 21 games. That's a record for a brand new ballpark. Look below, does that left field fence look as distant as the old "Death Valley?" You're not hearing the word "spacious" when people talk about this outfield.
(Above) Johnny Damon at bat, Mark Teixeira in the on-deck circle.
(Below) The familiar stance of the captain, shortstop Derek Jeter.
Having a marvelous season, Phillies outfielder Raul Ibanez crushed one as well. His landed in the right field seats. Balls travel farther and leap the fences in the Bronx at a rate never seen at the old Stadium.

The YMCA dance remains a staple of the half-inning when the grounds grew smooths out the infield. But like everything else, it's now sponsored.
Game over, but the lights aren't yet out. An elegant blue glow from the new Stadium as seen from the elevated subway station.

Comments

Bryan Nazario said…
I don't think there is much that can or should be done to address the large number of home runs at the new stadium. I don't see any options that wouldn't require the removal of many seats. Things might change after the old stadium comes down, but most of the home runs are going to right field which was a trademark of the old stadium anyway. The Yankees hit a lot of homers anywhere and they have more than the visiting teams at the Stadium. They are built for Yankee stadium as they should be.

I wonder how many of the homers just made it into the seats by a couple of rows? Probably not so many that it makes much of a difference. Better this way than at CitiField where the Mets' sluggers have been neutralized. (At least those who aren't on the disabled list.)
July 11, 2009 at 11:36 AM
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