BALLPARKS, NEW AND NOT-SO-NEW ...
The new ballpark at St. Louis has opened this season. The main difference to bettors will be that it is a slightly better park for pitchers than the old yard. The distances down the lines and to center are about the same, but the power alleys are 18 feet farther from home plate. Home runs are going to be fewer and flyball pitchers will do even better there than in old Busch. WELL, not exactly. The original distances were 390, but the actual distances turned into 375' in the power alleys. That means a few more homers and a few more runs. The original plans were changed in the execution.
Philadelphia moved the left field fence back 5 feet and made it 2.5 feet higher. It will cost the hitters a few homers, but still be an excellent park for hitting.
San Diego will remain a pitcher’s park, but there has been a change to help out the batters. The power alley in right field will be nine feet closer to the plate, giving lefty power hitters a more inviting target.