Shouldn't all ML baseball fields have the same standardized distances to the outfield?

Question

Can you imagine if football fields had different lengths and widths?
Or if basketball rims were at different heights?

Answer 1

Thats a good point about the standard dimensions in the other sports but I feel its not quite the same thing. Baseball Stadiums have become far more standardized since the first group of the older ballparks started to go in the 70's. However, I feel the varying dimesions adds to the game. It brings in aspects such as bringing up a lefthander from the minors just to pitch at Yankee Stadium. Allowing a big lefty hitter to loft a fly to right center at Fenway Park because it will likely die in the alley. If a bandbox like Wrigley Field didn't exist we would get to see Cub fans throw an opponents home run over the back wall so the bleacher creatures can return it to the field. In the old Tiger Stadium you could sit in the Upper level in fair territory in right field and be close enough to the batter to have a home run go over your head. The Center Field Fence in the Polo Grounds was deep enough that it enabled Willie Mays to catch a ball in the 1954 Polo Grounds that in standardized dimension ballparks would have been gone. The photograph of the catch to me is the most famous one in the history of the game. In the old Yankee Stadium similar conditions existed with the center and left centerfield fences so deep that the monuments were kept on the field. On the opposite end you have things like the Green Monster and Pesky Pole. The Home Run represents the challenge of baseball as it's most basic level. The batter is trying to hit the ball as far as he can and the pitcher is trying to keep him from doing it. Some parks favor some batters and vice versa.

Answer 2

In football, the distance from one goal line to the other is 300 feet. In basketball, the court is what, 94 feet long? Baseball is no different: it's 90 feet between bases and 60.5 feet from the pitcher's plate to home plate, no matter which field you're at. Next you'll be asking why all baseball stadiums don't have the same number of seats, ditto for football and basketball.

Answer 3

The only requirement regarding outfield fences is that they be at least 325 feet from home plate (Fenway Park and Wrigley Field are the only exceptions because they were built before 1958).

Even if you could standardize the playing field, there are other factors that cannot be accounted for. For example, the air is thinner at Coors Field in Colorado, so the ball naturally travels farther there than any other park.

Answer 4

While there are specific rules nowadays about the minimum distance down the foul lines, I think it is fun to visit different parks around the country and see the different angles, wall heights, etc. It adds a lot to juicy contoversy--"That would have gone out at Shea" after a long fly in Florida, say. Actually, almost all of the newer MLB parks are very similar in dimensions, but isn't it still cool to talk about and see the Green Monster in Boston?

Answer 5

No, you are totally missing the point. Thats one of the things that makes baseball great. Unique ballparks add to the challenge and skill to the game. You have the Green Monster in Fenway. The uniqueness of Yankee Stadium, the green Ivy walls of Wrigley,etc.
However, I do favor certain standards.
Most of the new ballparks are too small. They think more home runs will equal more fans, and I disagree.
The last thing baseball needs are changes. The game has been just fine for over 100 years!

Answer 6

I'm with Georgie - part of what makes baseball great is that everything isn't completely uniform.

And it's tough to compare it to football, where the rules are based on a uniform playing field. Baseball has those rules for the infield, but differing outfield dimensions don't have the same effect.

Answer 7

Yes, they should be the same, but balls tend to carry better in certain parks too. You'll never be able to get the same results in every park no matter what. But I agree with you. It really isn't fair. It does add to the uniqueness of the game, but it isn't golf where everyone is playing the same holes at the same time.

Answer 8

There are standards each team has to follow. However it makes the game unique cause that makes the ballpark part of the game. Thats why you hear about people traveling all distances to see games.

Answer 9

Would you like all golf courses to be the same also?. The variations of baseball field make it unique in team sports, which is one reason why it's so precious.

Answer 10

Yeah, and they should all have the same color uniforms too. Everone should use the same type of bat and standardize the batting stance. They should all offer the same food at the park and ticket prices should all be the same. Maybe even a standard cheer for the fans to do.