Over the last couple of years there has been some discussion about moving the fences at PETCO Park in.
Proponents say it will help generate more offense, and odds are it will. But opponents counter with the belief that it would also hurt the pitching staff, which is also probably true. So, what to do? Which side is right?
Perhaps we should use the New York Mets as an example.
New York had all kinds of trouble scoring runs when Citi Field opened in 2009. The drop off was staggering.
During their final 3 years at Shea Stadium, the Mets averaged 812 runs a season, finishing each year with a winning record.
In their first 3 years at Citi Field, the Mets averaged 681 runs a season, finishing each year with a losing record.
So, during this off-season they made a change. The Mets moved outfield walls in about 10 feet on average by building a new fence in front of the old barrier.
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It's already paying dividends, and the Padres got a real good look at why in Saturday's game.
In the first inning, former Padre Scott Hairston hit a fly ball to left field that would have been caught on the warning track in 2011. But this time, the ball landed on the freshly-built fence for a 3-run homer.
The Mets hit 3 home runs in their 9-0 win. Two of them would have been caught, and the third would have hit off the wall for a likely double.
The Mets offense is scoring runs more effectively than it has since 2008. New York is also on pace for a winning record for the first time since 2008. This is not a coincidence.
And seeing it in person just might convince the Padres to give it a shot themselves.
