The Minnesota Twins proudly moved into their new stadium last season and had tremendous success, winning the AL Central while posting the fourth best record in MLB. They went an incredible 53-28 at home in their new digs, and the new stadium plus the success of the team helped them sell out all their games and rank sixth in the league in attendance.
Though the development and opening of the new stadium was met with great celebration, some players have become dissatisfied with the new field. Slugging first baseman Justin Morneau termed the spacious dimensions in the outfield “ridiculous,” and says the far fences lead hitters to develop bad habits of trying to pull the ball. Center fielder Denard Span recently joined Morneau by complaining about Target Fields’ issues as well.
“It just seemed that hits (up the middle), last year at Target Field I wouldn’t get those, and did at the Metrodome,” Span said. “It just felt at times like the infielders were catching up to those up the middle. It seemed like the grass would slow it up just a little, and I was out bang-bang at first.”
Span’s batting average was down nearly 50 points from 2009. He had 16 fewer hits in 51 fewer games last season, so the numbers back up his claims. While Morneau complained about the distance of the fences, Span says the grass saps his speed. Sorry to say that’s just the reality of playing outdoors. And after going 53-28 at home, I highly doubt any changes are coming.
Story via Over the Baggy
