dc sports
07-21-2000, 11:23 AM
What do you think?
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/bb/609340
July 20, 2000, 9:36PM
Opponents blow open roof debate -- By JOSEPH DUARTE
The retractable roof at Enron Field has been anything but an open-and-shut case. The subject of debate, which naturally is coming from the visiting dugout, has been the timing of when the Astros show off the centerpiece of their $250 million playpen. Many of the opposing managers and players to visit Enron Field this season contend the opening of the roof during a game has an adverse affect on playing conditions.
Their solution: Begin the game with the roof open or closed -- and keep it that way. "It's an unfair advantage," Reds manager Jack McKeon said Wednesday night following a 4-0 victory over the Astros.
Under rules stipulated by Major League Baseball, the Astros can open the roof at the beginning of an inning. Once open it must remain that way the remainder of the game unless told otherwise by the umpire crew chief. Astros officials say a decision on whether the roof will be open or closed is made on a game-by-game case. But with temperatures reaching triple digits, the current plan is to keep the roof closed for most day games. During night games, however, the Astros seldom go the entire game with the roof closed, opting to open it around the sixth inning.
That's when the problem begins, according to many of the 13 clubs to play at Enron Field. It is not uncommon to see the flagpoles in center field at a standstill during the first five innings, only to begin blowing out toward left field after the 12 to 15 minutes it takes to open the roof.
"You change the playing conditions from the sixth inning on," McKeon said. "Everything starts blowing out to left field. It's the same for both teams (when it is closed). What if you have a 4-0 lead and no wind, and all of a sudden in the ninth they hit a ball that goes into the seats?"
That hasn't been the case often this season for the Astros. After Thursday night, they are 16-29 at home and 4-9 during games
the roof is open and closed.
------------------
Stay Cool...
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/bb/609340
July 20, 2000, 9:36PM
Opponents blow open roof debate -- By JOSEPH DUARTE
The retractable roof at Enron Field has been anything but an open-and-shut case. The subject of debate, which naturally is coming from the visiting dugout, has been the timing of when the Astros show off the centerpiece of their $250 million playpen. Many of the opposing managers and players to visit Enron Field this season contend the opening of the roof during a game has an adverse affect on playing conditions.
Their solution: Begin the game with the roof open or closed -- and keep it that way. "It's an unfair advantage," Reds manager Jack McKeon said Wednesday night following a 4-0 victory over the Astros.
Under rules stipulated by Major League Baseball, the Astros can open the roof at the beginning of an inning. Once open it must remain that way the remainder of the game unless told otherwise by the umpire crew chief. Astros officials say a decision on whether the roof will be open or closed is made on a game-by-game case. But with temperatures reaching triple digits, the current plan is to keep the roof closed for most day games. During night games, however, the Astros seldom go the entire game with the roof closed, opting to open it around the sixth inning.
That's when the problem begins, according to many of the 13 clubs to play at Enron Field. It is not uncommon to see the flagpoles in center field at a standstill during the first five innings, only to begin blowing out toward left field after the 12 to 15 minutes it takes to open the roof.
"You change the playing conditions from the sixth inning on," McKeon said. "Everything starts blowing out to left field. It's the same for both teams (when it is closed). What if you have a 4-0 lead and no wind, and all of a sudden in the ninth they hit a ball that goes into the seats?"
That hasn't been the case often this season for the Astros. After Thursday night, they are 16-29 at home and 4-9 during games
the roof is open and closed.
------------------
Stay Cool...