Livlier Ball or Steriods in the Beef ?

Nukester · 03-28-2006, 01:38 PM

Little League pushes fences back

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) -- Steroids aren't to blame, but even the Little League is reining in its power hitters. Construction started last week to push the fences back 20 feet at the home of the Little League World Series, cutting the chances for homers and creating a more spacious outfield that should lead to more doubles and triples.

The fences at South Williamsport's Howard J. Lamade and Volunteer stadiums will be 225 feet from home plate once construction wraps up in July. The distance to the fences was previously 205 feet at both venues.

The decision to push back the fences is not intended to thwart a growing population of pumped-up 12-year-olds but instead give outfielders more ground to cover.

"While home run production has remained fairly constant over the last several years, we have noticed there are few doubles and triples," said Joseph W. Losch, senior vice president of Little League Baseball and Softball. "This move, while probably decreasing home run production by a small fraction, will increase the possibilities for other extra-base hits."

Over the last 20 years, the Little League World Series has seen 571 homers - about one every 26 at-bats. But over that time there have been just 36 triples - one every 406 at-bats - and 502 doubles.

Built in 1959, Lamade Stadium was 200 feet to the fences until 1996, when it was pushed back to 205. Volunteer Stadium, with 205-foot fences, was completed in 2001.

The 60th Little League World Series is scheduled for Aug. 18-27.

Long_Long_Name · 03-29-2006, 01:19 AM

Well, it's a much better decision than that of MLB stadia designers, who created some generally smaller ballparks in the 90's (on top of being rather kitsch on many occasions). Anyway.

sporr · 03-29-2006, 11:27 AM

I like the move. Watching the games, I always thought the fences were a little too close. They usually can get the ball in before a runner has any shot to make it to 2nd.

Nukester · 03-29-2006, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sporr

I like the move. Watching the games, I always thought the fences were a little too close. They usually can get the ball in before a runner has any shot to make it to 2nd.

I agree. There really was no such thing as a gap shot

sporr · 03-29-2006, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nukester

I agree. There really was no such thing as a gap shot

That and you almost never see one hit over an OF head. I mean, they can practically play at the warning track.

QuestGAV · 03-29-2006, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sporr

That and you almost never see one hit over an OF head. I mean, they can practically play at the warning track.

I remember a Little League game where I was playing the outfield and the league's best hitter came up. I backed up to the warning track to play him and my coach got furious. He waved me in and was yelling across the field for me to play shallow. I moved in and he promptly hit the next pitch over my head for an inside the park homerun.

03-28-2006, 01:38 PM	#1
Nukester All Star Starter Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Newburgh, NY Posts: 1,923	Livlier Ball or Steriods in the Beef ? Little League pushes fences back SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) -- Steroids aren't to blame, but even the Little League is reining in its power hitters. Construction started last week to push the fences back 20 feet at the home of the Little League World Series, cutting the chances for homers and creating a more spacious outfield that should lead to more doubles and triples. The fences at South Williamsport's Howard J. Lamade and Volunteer stadiums will be 225 feet from home plate once construction wraps up in July. The distance to the fences was previously 205 feet at both venues. The decision to push back the fences is not intended to thwart a growing population of pumped-up 12-year-olds but instead give outfielders more ground to cover. "While home run production has remained fairly constant over the last several years, we have noticed there are few doubles and triples," said Joseph W. Losch, senior vice president of Little League Baseball and Softball. "This move, while probably decreasing home run production by a small fraction, will increase the possibilities for other extra-base hits." Over the last 20 years, the Little League World Series has seen 571 homers - about one every 26 at-bats. But over that time there have been just 36 triples - one every 406 at-bats - and 502 doubles. Built in 1959, Lamade Stadium was 200 feet to the fences until 1996, when it was pushed back to 205. Volunteer Stadium, with 205-foot fences, was completed in 2001. The 60th Little League World Series is scheduled for Aug. 18-27.

03-29-2006, 01:19 AM	#2
Long_Long_Name Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Montréal Posts: 7,065	Well, it's a much better decision than that of MLB stadia designers, who created some generally smaller ballparks in the 90's (on top of being rather kitsch on many occasions). Anyway. __________________ Beta Baseball. Join it!

03-29-2006, 11:27 AM	#3
sporr Global Moderator Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Muscatine, IA Posts: 8,277	I like the move. Watching the games, I always thought the fences were a little too close. They usually can get the ball in before a runner has any shot to make it to 2nd.