Sources: New Dome dimensions will be hitter-friendly
Published
TORONTO — Rogers Centre is going to be an even more hitter-friendly ballpark from here on out.
With ongoing construction significantly reconfiguring the bullpens and the seating surrounding them, a few feet of outfield grass is being lost in the process, according to sources, shrinking the playing field that the Toronto Blue Jays and their revamped outfield depth chart will return to when the home portion of the 2023 season gets underway April 11 against the Detroit Tigers.
Varying wall heights will attempt to mitigate the cozier confines, and a Blue Jays PR rep says the club will share exact dimensions with the public next month.
While the Jays are still working through the construction, these dimensions are essentially the template used when building its roster for the 2023 season.
The biggest changes are in the power alleys.
At one spot in right-centre field near the bullpen, the outfield wall is expected to be moving in nearly 20 feet, from 375 to 357.
Left-handed hitters, including new additions Daulton Varsho and Brandon Belt, are going to love that change.
In left field, that same area is creeping in a few feet, from 375 to 366 feet.
Straightaway centre field is slated to go from 400 feet to 397, while the distance down both lines is expected to stay about the same at 328 feet to the foul poles.
Gone is the familiar cookie cutter half-moon shape that fans have been accustomed to for 30-plus years and not only will it look different, but the ballpark is going to play differently now, too.