Love it. As the article states, it wasn't so bad before they deadened the bats. Though they switched to a flat seam ball recently to add carry, it's still rough at Disch.
Pierce has a long history of success with power hitting teams in normal sized parks. His teams didn't sacrifice stout pitching for the long ball.
Both Rice and Tulane have shorter power alleys (in most areas).
Greer Field (Tulane) - 8 ft fence, 12 ft in center
Reckling Park - can't find height (8-10 ft?), no monster
Disch - 10 ft fence, 20 ft. monster in center
Greer Field (Tulane):
Left field - 325 ft
Left center - 370 ft
Center Field - 400 ft (12 ft fence)
Right center - 370 ft
Right field - 325 ft
Reckling:
Left field - 330 ft
Left Center - 375 ft
Center field - 400 ft (no monster)
Right Center - 375 ft
Right field - 330 ft
Disch:
Left field - 340 ft
Left Center - 375 to 405
Center field - 400 ft (20 ft monster)
Right Center - 375-405 ft
Right field - 325 ft
Disch has a long ball disadvantage with deeper power alleys (where most shots go) in most areas, and the 20 ft center monster requires much extra lift and distance.
While they look close on paper, it takes at least 10 more feet (often more) to clear the Disch fences from left center to right center, where most shots go.
I've desired this change forever, especially once the bats went dead from restrictions. Now we have a coach who knows exactly how to build a power hitting team to excel in a park with normal power alleys and a reasonable center field fence.
I say let the man work his magic like at Rice and Tulane. Any coach following shouldn't have a problem competing in a park more in line with the rest of the college landscape.
Rice and Tulane didn't trade HR's for inferior pitching, neither do elite programs today.
Last year Tulane led the nation with 13 shutouts and ranked in the top 25 in both ERA (23rd/3.24) and WHIP (25th/1.24). All while adding 66 HR's, tied for 13th nationally.
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Last edited: Jul 28, 2016