Best and worst parks to have a home run derby in

[cardcrazy]

i wonder what others think would be the worst park to have a hr derby in.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

I would have loved to have seen a homerun derby at the polo grounds and ebbets field.it would have been great to see. Donald

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

The worst place to see a homerun derby from has to be comerica park in detroit, that stadium is a dump compared to historic tiger stadium. they should of had it at tiger stadium. Donald

[skeletor]

Actually, MLB did consider having the derby two miles over at the
former lair of the DETROIT baseball club..But Tiger Stadium, wasn't
up to snuff..and hasn't been kept up..in the 5 seasons, since the
Tigers ankled it for Comerica..Contrary to what Donald tells everyone,
it's not a bad 'new' park..they are still tweaking it, and the recent
home run derby, went well there..as the ball rocketed outta there,
putting aside sour grapes that it's not homer friendly..and it is
certainly not a 'TOLIET' bowl..Comerica, ain't perfect..it'll never
be Tiger stadium..as Pacific bell park, will never be the polo grounds,
or candlestick..etc..progress for some, is a bitter pill to swallow..

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Actually, MLB did consider having the derby two miles over at the
former lair of the DETROIT baseball club..But Tiger Stadium, wasn't
up to snuff..and hasn't been kept up..in the 5 seasons, since the
Tigers ankled it for Comerica..Contrary to what Donald tells everyone,
it's not a bad 'new' park..they are still tweaking it, and the recent
home run derby, went well there..as the ball rocketed outta there,
putting aside sour grapes that it's not homer friendly..and it is
certainly not a 'TOLIET' bowl..Comerica, ain't perfect..it'll never
be Tiger stadium..as Pacific bell park, will never be the polo grounds,
or candlestick..etc..progress for some, is a bitter pill to swallow..
the worst park has to be comerica toilet bowl hear in detroit.i am proud to say that i saw my last tiger game at tiger stadium in 1999 the last game there.i have heard from people that have gone to the new toilet bowl in detroit and dont have anything nice to say about the stadium.i have seen it from the outside and a little on tv and the place looks like a minor league stadium . and bad ballpark is the new comiskey park in chicago, another dump.AND as far as CANDLESTICK PARK in sanfrancisco it was a dump also and would never compare to the great historic polo grounds.i have read and also heard from people that seals stadium was a better park than candlestick park was.so in closing if you like going to a dumpy shopping mall stadium for a baseball game then all means go to COMERICA TOILET BOWL PARK a BIG DUMP. Donald detroit mi :mad: :rolleyes: :mad: :rolleyes:

[efin98]

the worst park has to be comerica toilet bowl hear in detroit.i am proud to say that i saw my last tiger game at tiger stadium in 1999 the last game there.i have heard from people that have gone to the new toilet bowl in detroit and dont have anything nice to say about the stadium.i have seen it from the outside and a little on tv and the place looks like a minor league stadium . and bad ballpark is the new comiskey park in chicago, another dump.AND as far as CANDLESTICK PARK in sanfrancisco it was a dump also and would never compare to the great historic polo grounds.i have read and also heard from people that seals stadium was a better park than candlestick park was.so in closing if you like going to a dumpy shopping mall stadium for a baseball game then all means go to COMERICA TOILET BOWL PARK a BIG DUMP. Donald detroit mi :mad: :rolleyes: :mad: :rolleyes:

Have you EVER and I mean EVER actually watched a game there? If you haven't then you have no idea what the hell you are complaining about.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Have you EVER and I mean EVER actually watched a game there? If you haven't then you have no idea what the hell you are complaining about.

NO I HAVE NOT BEEN TO COMERICA TOILET BOWL PARK AND WILL NEVER GO THERE. I KNOW PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN THERE AND THEY SAY ITS A DUMP. IT WILL NEVER COMPARE TO TIGER STADIUM. I HAVE SEEN ALL I WANT TO OF THAT DUMPY BALLPARK HERE IN DETROIT ON TV AND I LIVE HEAR IN DETROIT AND HAVE THE RIGHT TO MY OPINION AND IF YOU DONT LIKE IT I DONT CARE donald detroit mi :mad: :mad: :mad: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[efin98]

NO I HAVE NOT BEEN TO COMERICA TOILET BOWL PARK AND WILL NEVER GO THERE. I KNOW PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN THERE AND THEY SAY ITS A DUMP. IT WILL NEVER COMPARE TO TIGER STADIUM. I HAVE SEEN ALL I WANT TO OF THAT DUMPY BALLPARK HERE IN DETROIT ON TV AND I LIVE HEAR IN DETROIT AND HAVE THE RIGHT TO MY OPINION AND IF YOU DONT LIKE IT I DONT CARE donald detroit mi :mad: :mad: :mad: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Then you are just complaining for the sake of attention. Real mature :rolleyes:

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Then you are just complaining for the sake of attention. Real mature :rolleyes:
YOU SHOULD LOOK AT YOURSELF BEFORE YOU TALK ABOUT BEING MATURE FOR YOU ARE ONLY 23 YEARS OLD AND I AM ALOT OLDER THAN YOU, AND AGAIN IF YOU DONT LIKE MY OPINION ON COMERICA TOILET BOWL PARK I DONT CARE. donald detroit :mad: :mad: :mad: :evil :rolleyes:

[sschirmer]

YOU SHOULD LOOK AT YOURSELF BEFORE YOU TALK ABOUT BEING MATURE FOR YOU ARE ONLY 23 YEARS OLD AND I AM ALOT OLDER THAN YOU, AND AGAIN IF YOU DONT LIKE MY OPINION ON COMERICA TOILET BOWL PARK I DONT CARE. donald detroit :mad: :mad: :mad: :evil :rolleyes:

Donald, if you've never been to Comerica, how can you form an opinion? Just curious, as I've been there four times now, and it seems okay to me. I did prefer Tiger Stadium, but the new yard ain't all bad. Maybe you should give it a shot.

[whatswailing]

Just because you're older doesn't mean you're mature. You're acting like a big crybaby. It's funny, you grow up while the whole time your parents are telling you to act your age and here we see a grown man crying over stadiums like a baby. Typing in all caps for the sake of nothing. It also goes to Brooklyn Dodger fans, why hold the grudge and sound like a bunch of whiny babies for the rest of your life? When you die, you'll regret that you held so much hate for something that you didn't even get to try to know because you were being so blind. That's for Donald and all Brooklyn Dodger fans.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Just because you're older doesn't mean you're mature. You're acting like a big crybaby. It's funny, you grow up while the whole time your parents are telling you to act your age and here we see a grown man crying over stadiums like a baby. Typing in all caps for the sake of nothing. It also goes to Brooklyn Dodger fans, why hold the grudge and sound like a bunch of whiny babies for the rest of your life? When you die, you'll regret that you held so much hate for something that you didn't even get to try to know because you were being so blind. That's for Donald and all Brooklyn Dodger fans.

AGAIN i can expect this from someone your age. i respect the BROOKLYN DODGERS and NEW YORK GIANTS fans for feeling that way after all of those years. AND they have every right to feel the way they do.Someone your age does not have the right to say anything about the BROOKLYN DODGERS and NEW YORK GIANTS FANS. again i say i expect this from someone your age. :grouchy :grouchy

[whatswailing]

Sad, you're becoming senile.

[Paulmcall]

If your team was taken away from you after being supported by over a million fans in their last season, you might have a different opinion.
Brooklyn Dodger fans got the shaft from MLB and O'Malley. Having the Mets spring up in Queens didn't right the wrong for Brooklyn fans.

[Bob Hannah]

i wonder what others think would be the worst park to have a hr derby in.
This has got to be a record. The thread got hijacked on the second reply. Though the second reply does give an opinion about the worst park to have a hom run derby in, that opinion is biased as Donald interjects his dismay regarding Tiger Stadium in any thread he sees fit. Really, Donald, give it a rest.

Back to the question. What to you mean by "worst park", crazycard? A band box like CBP or Great American, or a spacious park like RFK?

Personally, I like pitching, while at the same time see home runs cheapened and totals of some players jacked up due to the cozy confines in which some play. have it in a park like RFK, Shea, or Kaufman stadium, symetrical with no quirky walls or short porches. These would give a more honest display of power, separating the wheat from the chaff.

[efin98]

Back to the question. What to you mean by "worst park", crazycard? A band box like CBP or Great American, or a spacious park like RFK?

Personally, I like pitching, while at the same time see home runs cheapened and totals of some players jacked up due to the cozy confines in which some play. have it in a park like RFK, Shea, or Kaufman stadium, symetrical with no quirky walls or short porches. These would give a more honest display of power, separating the wheat from the chaff.

I whole heartedly agree, which is why I loved that the derby was in Comerica Park this year.

The worst place to have the game has to be the two greatest ballparks in the league- Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium. The foul poles are too close to home plate and while Fenway has the "Green Monster" it simply doesn't compensate for the strength of the hitters.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

I whole heartedly agree, which is why I loved that the derby was in Comerica Park this year.

The worst place to have the game has to be the two greatest ballparks in the league- Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium. The foul poles are too close to home plate and while Fenway has the "Green Monster" it simply doesn't compensate for the strength of the hitters.

NOW i know that this guy is nuts and dont know what he is talking about,any true baseball fan would love to see anything in a classic ballpark like Fenway park Yankee stadium Or Wrigley field, Tiger stadium.granted yankee stadium is not the same as the old one before the 1974-75 renovation but at least it is still around.the unique features of the old classic ballparks is what made them standout. unlike these new dumps that they build today like comerica park and the others.

[efin98]

NOW i know that this guy is nuts and dont know what he is talking about,any true baseball fan would love to see anything in a classic ballpark like Fenway park Yankee stadium Or Wrigley field, Tiger stadium.granted yankee stadium is not the same as the old one before the 1974-75 renovation but at least it is still around.the unique features of the old classic ballparks is what made them standout. unlike these new dumps that they build today like comerica park and the others.

"true baseball fan" is in one's opinion, and it's my OPINION that the "classic" ballparks are the WORST place to hold the home run derby in.

[jrh31584]

It depends on what you think the best kind of home run derby is. If you want to really test batters, then I'd say RFK. If you just want to see as many home runs as possible, then Citizens Bank Park would probably be the best. Among ballparks of the past, Braves Field in the first case, and Ebbets Field in the latter case.

[west coast orange and black]

use rabbit balls and invite lefties only and have it at pac bell.
the flotilla out on mccovey cove would be really somethin'.

ok, seriously. wrigley. just because of the vines.

[sschirmer]

It depends on what you think the best kind of home run derby is. If you want to really test batters, then I'd say RFK. If you just want to see as many home runs as possible, then Citizens Bank Park would probably be the best. Among ballparks of the past, Braves Field in the first case, and Ebbets Field in the latter case.

If it's a HR derby, wouldn't you want to see a lot of HRs? Makes sense to me, hold it at the t-ball field down the street from my office, and use aluminum bats! :clapping

[westsidegrounds]

Best? I say the old PCL Angels ballpark - as seen on TV!

[Bluesteve32]

Best? I say the old PCL Angels ballpark - as seen on TV!

Old LA Wrigley, nothing like the original. ;)

[efin98]

Old LA Wrigley, nothing like the original. ;)

That's actually a great park to hold it at, symetrical like Bob Hannah suggested, not so long as that only a few very powerful players can hit homers out, and not so short as to purposely inflate the numbers...

Whoever chose the location for the event back in the late 50's knew what they were looking for!

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Old LA Wrigley, nothing like the original. ;)

From watching wrigley field LA on tv and looking at photos it looked like a great park to see a baseball game.i saw the park on tv watching homerun derby on espn classic and on the twilight zone episode the mighty casey.to bad that they tore the stadium down when they did. another nice place to have seen a game was seals stadium. i have talked to alot of people that said that the giants should have stayed there instead of building candlestick park which was another dump.

[Bluesteve32]

From watching wrigley field LA on tv and looking at photos it looked like a great park to see a baseball game.i saw the park on tv watching homerun derby on espn classic and on the twilight zone episode the mighty casey.to bad that they tore the stadium down when they did. another nice place to have seen a game was seals stadium. i have talked to alot of people that said that the giants should have stayed there instead of building candlestick park which was another dump.

There were several problems with Wrigley. First of all, it was too small for MLB and it was not in the best area of town. Another thing, it was not really close to any freeway and parking was limited. O' Money (Shoot I did it again, typo....not) swapped the ded for Wrigley with the city for the land at Chavez Ravine.

According to what I have read, Wrigley himself designed the park (I am quite sure with help from professional engineers and architects). Most websites and other information do have the ballbark being demolished in 1966, which was quite impossible since I myself actually went to Wrigley for a non-baseball event in spring 1968. I know it was that year because it was the same school year we moved from Baldwin Hills to Arcadia so I was in second grade, which was 1967-8 school year. I vividly remember stepping on home plate when we went down to the field afterwards.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

There were several problems with Wrigley. First of all, it was too small for MLB and it was not in the best area of town. Another thing, it was not really close to any freeway and parking was limited. O' Money (Shoot I did it again, typo....not) swapped the ded for Wrigley with the city for the land at Chavez Ravine.

According to what I have read, Wrigley himself designed the park (I am quite sure with help from professional engineers and architects). Most websites and other information do have the ballbark being demolished in 1966, which was quite impossible since I myself actually went to Wrigley for a non-baseball event in spring 1968. I know it was that year because it was the same school year we moved from Baldwin Hills to Arcadia so I was in second grade, which was 1967-8 school year. I vividly remember stepping on home plate when we went down to the field afterwards.

I recall reading that there was talk about expanding wrigley field LA. and also expanding seals stadium in san francisco.to bad it did not happen

[Bluesteve32]

I recall reading that there was talk about expanding wrigley field LA. and also expanding seals stadium in san francisco.to bad it did not happen

I think O'Money considered it, but the ballpark was over 25 years old at the time and the neighborhood was deteriorating. There was also rumors of a cathouse being across the street which sent the Dodgers to the Coliseum for all games instead of just the weekends (similar what the Indians did when Municipal Stadium was built and kept playing games in League Park), like O'Money planned.

From what I am read, O'Money would not let Autry use the Coliseum for the Angels in 1961 and Autry was forced to use Wrigley, which was great for Wrigley's legacy of being a MLB park for one season. BTW, Steve Bilko hit the last HR at old Wrigley.

[sschirmer]

Cathouse? That should have kept the team there.

[Srschirm]

Yeah, why would you move the team in that case?

I enjoyed the clips of the old home runs derbys I've seen. Wrigley Field LA looked like a very neat park. Great pictures, thanks.

[Bluesteve32]

Yeah, why would you move the team in that case?

I enjoyed the clips of the old home runs derbys I've seen. Wrigley Field LA looked like a very neat park. Great pictures, thanks.

Here is a color pic of Old Wrigley.

[Bluesteve32]

Here is Wrigley from the front and showing old LA.

[64Cards]

Didn't LA Wrigley only seat about 25K?

[Bluesteve32]

Didn't LA Wrigley only seat about 25K?

According to www.ballparksofbaseball.com the capacity was 20,450.

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

Alot of people out there think that the MUNSTERS tv show episode were herman hits leo durocher on his head and has a try out with the dodgers was filmed at old wrigley field but it was not. check out the episode next time that it is on tv land or if anyone out there has the 1st season of the munsters on dvd.it was not filmed at wrigley field. Donald

[POLO GROUNDS 1957]

I still say that the best stadium to have a homerun derby in it would be any of the classic ballparks.the old parks were all diffrent in there own way, they were not cookie cutter stadiums like they have today. and i still consider these retro ballparks to be classifield as cookie cutter stadiums because it seems that they want to copy baltimore or cleveland so in a big way they are also cookie cutter even though they are not round shaped like riverfront or any of the other ones built in the 1960,s or early 1970,s.now it would be great today to see a homerun derby in ebbets field or the polo grounds, how about connie mack stadium or crosley field.the older classic parks were unique in there own way.

[Gary Dunaier]

It will be interesting to see the Home Run Derby at next year's All-Star Game... will a ball finally be sent into the Bronx streets?

And it will also be interesting to see the apartment buildings in the background as the homers fly.

[Yankeefan90]

It will be interesting to see the Home Run Derby at next year's All-Star Game... will a ball finally be sent into the Bronx streets?

And it will also be interesting to see the apartment buildings in the background as the homers fly.

Can't wait, I'd love to see a HR ball fly all the way out of the Stadium. But would it count? I mean it's a HR derby,they're getting batting practice fastballs, you'd expect that. Still it'd be a great sight.

[gator92]

Yankee Stadium is certainly one, with the possibility of a HR leaving the yard IF they get a favorable wind that evening, let's all hope.

My criteria would be to have good visual sight lines on the landing spots (rather than balls disappearing over walls like Fenway or Wrigley), because you want to be able to tell in person which one went farther. Also, the park should have some difficult, but reachable goals for the real long homers (such as upper decks and the like). Based on this, I would love to see a HRD in Kauffmann Stadium. The amphitheater shape of the outfield would be great for sight lines, and the various levels of the fountains, and the grassy slopes, and the scoreboards, etc. would make for outstanding targets...

[marlins739]

Kaufmann Stadium is getting the All Star Game/HRD in 2011 or so, so your wishes will come true not too long from now.

Anyone know how far it is to the closest part of the outfield facade at Yankee Stadium? Hitting it onto the street looks like a pretty solid hit, unless maybe the ball snuck through the gap between the upper deck and the bleachers in right field

I'd want to see one at Citizens Bank Park, because the balls just fly out of that place, and at Dolphin Stadium, because nothing flies out of that place. Pro Player almost got the All-Star game in 2000 or so, but MLB took it away after Wayne Huizenga had the 1997 Marlins firesale. I can't really remember the 1998 HRD at Coors Field, but there had to be more home runs than usual

[gator92]

On my diagram, the closest point for the RF stadium wall is 443 feet, with the wall being about 70 feet high above field level. So you'd need about a 500 foot homer, at just the right angle, to do it. In a HRD there, on a typical July evening, that is possible without any appreciable wind, and if they get lucky and have a 10 mph wind or so, I'd say there's a legit chance for Howard, Dunn or maybe Hafner or Ortiz to do it. I think someone will certainly hit that wall, so I think this could make for good TV.

One thing's for sure, if they use the same old home run chart method that is used in most places, they are not going to have a clue on the real distance of any of the RF upper deck homers, which will be a real shame... I've got 10 months to convince them of this...

[Seattle1]

It will be interesting to see the Home Run Derby at next year's All-Star Game... will a ball finally be sent into the Bronx streets?

And it will also be interesting to see the apartment buildings in the background as the homers fly.

Nice bump! Sometimes it is interesting to go back and resurrect old forgotten threads.

[sflnyc]

Talk about a bump!!! (2+ years)

I've said before that I can't wait for the 2008 HRD at Yankee Stadium and see all the tater shots.

Maybe we will actually see some balls land in the Deep Left Center Field Bleachers or maybe, just maybe, one leave the park totally finally and land on the #4 Train tracks before it is torn down.

Also, I don't think any HR has ever been hit into the RF Upper Deck at Dolphin Stadium.

Other than that, off the top of my head, I would say a park no longer existing (the Polo Grounds) would be my choice to see a HR Derby in, if a time warp was ever possible.

[donniebaseball23]

Im really looking forward to the HR at the Stadium next year. I have always wanted to see a shot hit or go over the wall in back of the right field bleachers. I think Ryan Howard or Ortiz would have the best shot at this.

[loubiedoXCHC]

wrigley field would be a great place for a homerun derby depending on whether the wind is blowinf in or out that is:crossfingers: and how ther haveing all the allstar games in all these new stadiums it will probably be awhile:eek: and why they havent had an all-star game at chase field yet idk
i dont think it would be a horrible place for a game.

As for the old ball parks the polo ground would be a good place for a derby as long as you kept away from center field.

but ebbets feild would have probley ben the best place for a homerun derby

just my opinion

[Solair Wright]

The best ballpark to have a Home Run Derby in modern era ballparks would be Citizens' Bank Park or Great American BP. The ball carries insanely well in both ballparks, resulting in a lot of home runs. Worst? Probably either Shea Stadium, Dodger Stadium, McAfee Coliseum or PETCO Park, because the ball doesn't carry well in any of those ballparks.

Best in the past era would be the Polo Grounds or Tiger Stadium, the worst would be probably be Braves Field in Boston.

[placount]

Nice bump! Sometimes it is interesting to go back and resurrect old forgotten threads.

yea its funny how some things never seem to change