It Just Got Harder To Hit Home Runs At Camden Yards: Orioles Alter Dimensions

 

Maybe the Baltimore Orioles' pitchers left a suggestion in the complaint box.

Always one of the most favorable hitters ballparks, Oriole Park at Camden Yards was known as a bandbox that would consistently boost home run totals (and ERAs). The Orioles, however, have taken some steps to change that for 2022. 

The Baltimore Sun reported this week that the O's have begun construction to move the cozy left-field and left-center fence back by up to 30 feet, and to raise it by 5 feet. This will undoubtedly reduce the number of balls that leave the yard to left and left-center. It's the first change in Camden Yards dimensions in 20 years. 

Since the ballpark opened in 1992, there have been 5,911 HRs hit there,  the most of any ballpark in the majors over that period. And in 2019, Orioles pitchers demolished the all-time record by allowing 305 dingers, nearly FIFTY more than the previous record. 

According to the story, the Orioles' analytics department has been working with the team's baseball operations staff "to find a way to make the stadium more balanced for pitchers and hitters." And while the right-field corner was 15 feet closer to home plate than in left field, the wall in right is 21 feet high. The hope is that the changes will even things out for left- and right-handed hitters as well. 

No word yet as to how Trey Mancini, Cedric Mullins and Co. feel about this. 

Photo Credit: Chris6d