i think there was a miscommunication somewhere along the way. my statements were in relation to the roof being open.
Looks like it will be open http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BBO_WORLD_SERIES?SITE=TXHOU&SECTION=SPORTS&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT Oct 25, 9:42 AM EDT MLB, Astros argue over opening of roof By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer HOUSTON (AP) -- Major League Baseball must decide an open-or-shut case for Game 3 of the World Series: whether the roof at Minute Maid Park will be open or closed. With the White Sox ahead 2-0 after two wins in Chicago, the teams worked out Monday at sunny Minute Maid Park, where the center-field fence is 438 feet away and up a hill, and clearing the left-field wall takes only a 315-foot poke. While the roof was retracted for batting practice, the Astros would rather have it shut tight Tuesday, when the state of Texas hosts a World Series game for the first time. In yet another postseason series where umpires' calls have been debated, the roof was just as hot a topic. The Astros were 36-17 at home when it was closed during the regular season, 15-11 when it was rolled back and 2-0 in games that began indoors and finished in fresh air. During the regular season, the Astros pick their environment. But during the postseason, the commissioner's office makes that call. Jimmie Lee Solomon, executive vice president of baseball operations in the commissioner's office, was to decide Tuesday, when the forecast called for clear skies with a temperature in the low 60s. "If it's a nice day and no chance of precipitation and it's not overly hot and humid, yeah, we'll open the roof," Solomon said from his office in New York. That didn't sit well with the Astros. "I don't think they should step in and tell us what to do in our field, because it's our home-field advantage now," Game 3 starter Roy Oswalt said. "I think Chicago had their advantage there - cold, windy. They've been playing in it all year; we haven't. So let's bring it back home and give the advantage to us now." Added catcher Brad Ausmus: "Frankly, it's a little ridiculous that MLB would take control of that. This isn't their game." Houston owner Drayton McLane was a bit more diplomatic. "It's a combination of MLB and us. It's our roof," he said. "We'll wait to see what the weather is tomorrow." In 2001, the commissioner's office ordered the roof open at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix. The Astros believe they have more of an advantage indoors, when fan noise rattles ears, much as it did at Minnesota's Metrodome during the Series in 1987 and 1991. Thus far in the postseason, Chicago has pretty much romped everywhere - at home, Fenway Park and Angels Stadium. The White Sox are 9-1, threatening to join the 1999 New York Yankees as the only teams to make it through the postseason with just one loss since the third round began in 1995. "Whoever get the most hits with two outs is the one that's going to win," Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen said. Chicago is batting .385 (15-39) with two outs and runners in scoring position during the postseason, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, with three homers and 22 RBIs. The Astros are hitting just .224 in that situation. But at home, the Astros have put the squeeze on opponents: They're 4-1 at Minute Maid in the postseason for the second straight season. Only twice since May has the roof been open for games - both during the last series of the regular season. Houston third baseman Morgan Ensberg thinks the difference is huge. "It's a different place with the roof closed," he said. "I don't think they understand when those guys are cheering, how loud it really gets. It throws your equilibrium off. They're not going to be able to hear each other." Coordination could prove huge in this ballpark. The wall is 19 feet high by the Crawford Boxes in left. In center, the field slopes up at a 10-degree angle on Tal's Hill, a tribute by Astros president Tal Smith to Cincinnati's old Crosley Field. There's a flagpole on it that's in play, homage to Detroit's Tiger Stadium. "You're going to end up on your face before you hit the pole trying to get up the hill," Chicago center fielder Aaron Rowand said. "If you hit it, you hit it, so what? I've run into a lot more things." Oswalt, 3-0 during the postseason, will try to be king of the hill, opposed by Chicago's Jon Garland. "I'm not going to try to pitch somebody different because of a short porch or a deep porch," Garland said. Given the way he's been hitting, Chicago's Scott Podsednik probably will hit an opposite-field drive off the left-field wall or over it. After not hitting any homers during the regular season, the Texan has two in the postseason, including the ninth-inning winner Sunday night, just the 14th game-ending homer in Series history. "I get goose bumps just thinking about it," he said. "Running around the bases, I can't recall what I was feeling. Everything was blank. I couldn't hear anything." As for the umpires, some critics were questioning their eyesight, especially after plate umpire Jeff Nelson ruled Jermaine Dye was hit by a pitch in Game 2, setting up Paul Konerko's seventh-inning grand slam. Replays appeared to show the pitch hit Dye's bat. "These guys live and die based on whether their calls are correct," said Mike Port, baseball's vice president for umpiring. "They take it very hard when it appears they've been wrong. Like good players, they almost grieve over it."
This sucks that the Astros don't even have the choice. I hope the fans let MLB or Fox know that this is BS.
Isn't it supposed to get into the low 50's by evening? It seems like the roof would be closed so it's not too freaking cold.
Low 50's = "freaking cold"? Can't you just wear insulated panties? What is wrong with you people?? It's late October. Much of the states would kill for this weather. Did you see the game in Chicago? THAT game was "freaking cold".
Apparently, if MLB officials are okay with letting them play in low 40-mid 30's weather, with rain, in Chicago... they're fine with 50+ degree weather and no rain in Houston. I personally don't care that much... I was upset that they weren't gonna at least give the Astros the option, when they've been doing that all year. Also, they weren't consistent... the all-star game weather was not that hot that night (when it was here in 2004), but MLB wanted the roof closed to ensure comfortable conditions. Also, why does MLB control the World Series vs. the NLCS or the NLDS? Hell, why didn't Selig come down here and make them open it up in September vs. his awful Brewers. Maybe, if they care this much, they should just flip the switch and take their chances of the repercussions... what are they gonna do, stop the game?
They've decided that 80 degrees is "freaking hot". If that's freaking hot, then 50's is freaking cold. The whole point of a retractable roof if to make the environment comfortable for the fans. 50 and windy for 3 hours is not particularly comfortable if you have an alternative option of 72 and not windy.
AP article on ESPN.com HOUSTON -- Major League Baseball ordered the roof open at Minute Maid Field for Game 3 of the World Series on Tuesday night, ignoring the wishes of the Houston Astros. Jimmie Lee Solomon, executive vice president of baseball operations in the commissioner's office, made the announcement at Minute Maid Field about four hours before the scheduled first pitch. It was 71 degrees and the sky was cloudless when Solomon spoke. "It's a beautiful day," Solomon said. "This is not unprecedented. It happened in 2001 down in Arizona. The roof was open all four games there." The Astros like playing with the roof closed because, among other things, it increases the noise. Solomon said the commissioner's office followed the Astros' regular-season guidelines, which call for the roof to be open when the temperature is under 80 degrees and there is no rain. "I think it's a disregard to our fans, the comfort of our fans," Astros manager Phil Garner said. Solomon said the roof is likely to be open for all games in Houston this week.
I think the Astros should close the roof anyway and plaster this lil' trinket for the blimp to see: <IMG SRC='http://usera.imagecave.com/msn/calvin_selig.jpg'>
Another thing to consider... opening the roof for the Astros "hurts" them more, than closing the roof effects the White Sox. The Astros have played here all year... primarily with one condition in mind. Also, a lot of the players feel like they play better with it closed. Now, I know that's probably a ridiculous superstition... but this game is chalk-full with stupid superstitions that ballplayers follow. The White Sox don't really care that much... in fact, Konerko went on record saying that they understood the concept of a home-field advantage, and that if the Astros wanted it closed... they should get it closed. Thus, MLB could have done the easy thing and just avoid controversy all-together, and have it closed. The only people "upset" about it being closed would be the blimp people. Having it open obviously makes the Astros a little upset... and that's not where I want this team to be going into a HOME game, where they supposedly should have less to worry about, and be more comfortable in, than road games.
Why should the players care if it is open or not? You had game 2 won in the driving rain and cold. Something rubs me the wrong way about Astros complaining about this. I would expect them to say, "Hey, we could play the game with the roof open, closed, on Main, on 59, wherever." Not all this responding to this. Is our team that mentally fragile that the roof being open is going to make a difference? From what I saw in the 2nd half of the season, no they are alot stronger than that. So screw it, leave the roof wide open. The Astros should be able to kick White Sox ass either way. We are STILL in our HOME STADIUM!!!!
i think you're exaggerating their response. no one's saying they've lost. they're saying they don't understand why MLB gets to decide how their home stadium...which they kicked ass in...will play tonight. the players' reaction is one of bitterness...of feeling slighted. i suspect that chip on their shoulder might help them.
No rule - it's just the right choice on a beautiful day ~ there is a reason the roof moves and its not to increase the noise. The weather will be in the 50's ~ a wonderful brisk day ~ closing the roof provides zero hometown advantage. Perhaps you're more of a softball fan... The majority of Houston fans want the roof opened that's why it moves ~ Astros' management was being thick headed not the fans. _______________ One of the great things about hosting a major sporting event (Superbowl, World cup, Olympics, etc.) is showing off your city. Having the roof closed on one of our premier venues takes away from the overall experience. IMHO the right choice has been made ~ it's too bad the Astros' had to be forced into this decision. _______ Go Astros.
