Orioles’ management reasons that if Oriole Park is seen as less of a haven for homers, they’ll have a better chance of signing pitchers who may have been put off by the park’s home-run friendly status.ĭuring a news conference earlier this month, Orioles Executive Vice President and General Manager Mike Elias and Assistant General Manager for Analytics Sig Mejdal said the team wants to modify Oriole Park to “play” more evenly for pitchers and hitters. The change is also aimed at attracting quality pitchers. The primary objective, the Orioles say, is to cut down on home runs at what has come to be known as a sluggers’ park – by making it harder for batters to send hits over the left-field wall. Completion is expected in time for Opening Day, March 31. It will cost up to $3.5 million, with the Orioles paying upfront then getting reimbursed through lower stadium lease payments.

Last week, with construction already underway that will eliminate about 1,000 seats and create a cut-out in left field, the project was approved unanimously by the Maryland Stadium Authority and, in a 2 to 1 vote, by Maryland’s Board of Public Works. Most Orioles fans learned about the change when renderings were released earlier in January. Team executives have been exploring the idea of enlarging the field since at least last summer, but quietly and without any public input. One of the best-kept secrets in Baltimore has been the Orioles’ plan to change the left-field dimensions at Oriole Park at Camden Yards to make it tougher for hitters, just as the revered stadium is turning 30 years old. The Orioles begin renovations to Camden Yards, which turns 30 years old this year.

Oriole park mbox office