New Yankee Stadium: Putting the Theories to Rest

Early on in its first season the New Yankee Stadium got a reputation for being a very homer friendly park. Some highly respected baseball writers even called it a joke. There were many theories out there as to why: the dimensions are smaller, there is a wind tunnel out to right field, the old stadium still standing is affecting the wind pattern. As the second season in our new beautiful ballpark approaches I expect this trend to continue and more theories to be put out there. A few homers will be hit and people will lose their minds. It's a trend we saw frequently last year, and frankly, I can't take it and I am here to set the record straight once and for all.

(I should mention now that the new stadium was actually ranked 20th in ESPN's Park Factor system for runs. Meaning it was easier to score runs in 19 other ballparks around the game. Sure, it ranked first in home runs, but for what it gives in homers it takes away in doubles and triples. That's knowledge worth having the next time a person tries to compare it to Coors Field, easpecially when that person is a Red Sox fan (Fenway came in 8th). But this post is about homers, so let's just focus on that.)

Firstly, let's take a look at some numbers:

The Yankees as a team led all of Major League Baseball in Home Runs in 2009 with 244. Of those hit 108 home runs were hit on the road, while 136 came at home. A difference of 28 long balls. A significant difference, but not drastically so. The Yankees are the Bronx Bombers, they have a great home run hitting club and in 2009 were lefty heavy with a park that even in the original had a "short porch".

But let's forget all that because there is an explanation for the discrepancy in home runs. No stats, or studies need to be referenced to prove it. They say a picture is worth a thousand words well here it is:

(source: Clem's Baseball Blog)

As you can see for yourself the New Stadium is on the right and the old is on the left. The dimension's labeled on the wall in the new park are accurate, however there is almost no curvature in the right field all. It is almost a completely straight line to center except for the first panel right down the line. When in the old stadium the wall had a deep curve. Then add in the new wall height. The outfield fences measure 8 feet 5 inches high from left-field until the Yankees bullpen, then the fence begins to gradually decline in height until the right field foul pole, where it stands at a mere 8 feet

I also believe the left field wall does not have as drastic a curve down the line in the new park as it did in the old causing slightly shallower distance for a small part of left field. However, the image above shows it to be more true to form than right, but being in both stadiums I can sense something was off.

So there it is once and for all. The stadium plays a little smaller because it is a little smaller. Don't get me wrong I have no problem with it, I would like to see them change the dimensions back to the final dimensions at the old stadium. But I also do not think it cheapens the game or the home run. The two teams playing are on the same field no one has an advantage. Sure a few cheap ones may get out, but it's not like you or I could do it. If you want to see some cheap shots check out that pesky pole, or those pop ups that land in the monster seats at Fenway.

So let the debate end and just play the game. Stop trying to find something to bring the Yankees down just because you cannot beat us. And always remember there is only one thing that matters to us, and that's the number 27 (and 28, 29, 30, .....).

With a year under its belt, how are you feeling about our new house?