players that have been suspended this season
The field of the home ballpark of the Blue Jays has undergone modifications. The Rogers Centre’s foul areas are smaller this year. The outfield barriers were raised and hauled in last year. The first and third base lines are now parallel to portions of these walls.
These adjustments are perceived by players as a little hazardous. Daulton Varsho, an outfielder with the Blue Jays, stated that running into these walls could cause sprains to the ankle.
The upper bowl and fan zones of the stadium were the main focus of the $400 million remodeling project. This included raising the left-center field wall by more than 11 feet and bringing it in by 7 feet. Additionally, the field wall in right center moved in closer and was elevated.
During the second stage, walls were built up beside the foul lines and the foul territory was decreased by roughly 3,000 square feet. In the past, outfielders were able to snag a foul ball by leaning into the bleachers. Varsho and other outfield players’ methods of catching the ball are being impacted by these modifications.
Varsho explained, “When balls come down there, they stick close to that wall, so it’s like you have to act like a goalie to stop it,” elucidating that you are no longer able to curve in the direction of the ball. “All you have to do is know how to get out there and catch those baseballs.”
In Toronto’s 15 home games this season, Schneider, who plays left field while Varsho is in the center, said he has had to get used to the new layout.
Schneider explained, “You have to approach it differently or you can’t run into the wall as hard because the foul territory is so short.” “You have to handle balls differently because balls hit down the line won’t bounce out anymore; they’ll either hit the wall and come back to the shortstop or keep going to the wall.”
The shorter distance to home plate and steep corners alter infielders’ playing styles. A ball that is struck strongly could return into the outfield’s shallow area. On a line drive to left field, a shortstop may need to advance toward the outfield; in order to help outfielders, first or second baseman may need to move toward right field, depending on where the baserunners are.
Having started 18 games at third base for the Blue Jays this season, Kiner-Falefa said he thinks Rogers Centre is starting to resemble one of baseball’s most well-known venues, Fenway Park in Boston.
“It’s very similar to playing in Boston during kickoff,” Kiner-Falefa said. But I like it as a hitter. That is very helpful with less foul ground.
. These statistics contrast each MLB stadium based on a range of metrics, including runs, strikeouts, home runs, extra-base hits, and more intricate figures like BACON (batting average on contact, including home runs).
