The Giants promised there would be changes to the dimensions of Oracle Park, and they evidently have lived up to their word.
The fences are coming in -- but not by a ton.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle's Hank Schulman, San Francisco reportedly has marginally shortened the distance to all fields.
In left-center, the 404-foot intersection where the left-field and center-field fences meet will go down to 399'. Straightaway center gets reduced from 399' to 391. #SFGiants
— Henry Schulman (@hankschulman) December 12, 2019
What about Triples Alley, you ask? Surely there must be more drastic changes to that area of Oracle Park, right?
Not really.
Oh yeah. The triangle in Death Valley, or Triples Alley if you will, which famously had been 421', ow will be 415'. #SFGiants
— Henry Schulman (@hankschulman) December 12, 2019
Six feet doesn't sound like a lot, but then again, Brandon Belt might have doubled his home-run total from last season under those dimensions. The Giants are removing the bullpen mounds from the first and third-base sidelines, and they are expected to be relocated to the extra space now created in the outfield.
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So, it appears Oracle Park generally will maintain the same character, but likely will allow for more offense. Given the trouble the Giants have had in attracting free-agent hitters, perhaps the shortened dimensions will somewhat detract from its identity as a pitcher's haven.