Batters Rejoice: Detroit Tigers Adjusting Ballpark Dimensions

Comerica Park in Detroit has always been one of the toughest ballparks in which to score. It's been an offensive graveyard for a lot of hitters. But all that is about to change. The Detroit Tigers are bringing in the CF fence and lowering the height of the wall in many places. 

Key points to Comerica Park's dimensions adjustments:

— CF changed from 420 to 412 feet.

— Height of the OF wall lowered in "multiple key areas," including going from 13 feet to 7 feet above the out-of-town scoreboard.

— Cody Stavenhagen (@CodyStavenhagen) January 11, 2023

The center field fence will be lowered from 420 feet to 412 feet. And the height of the outfield wall will be lowered in multiple key areas, including a drop from 13 feet high to just seven feet above the out-of-town scoreboard. The right field and center field walls also drop lower by a foot and a half. 

In their news release, the Tigers list a number of "benefits":

• Reward hitter outcomes on balls hit to the deepest parts of the park
• Maintain the high number of extra-base hits on balls in play to the gaps, resulting in action on the basepaths
• Lowered wall height encouraging more electric defensive plays such as home run robberies

Most Tigers hitters are, not surprisingly, pleased.  

More from Eric Haase: "I think it just makes it more fair. It's obviously still going to be a bigger park. The dimensions weren't the biggest thing guys were frustrated about. It was the tall walls. ... It's going to be a more predictable ballpark." #Tigers https://t.co/gj7otTdsD2

— Evan Petzold (@EvanPetzold) January 11, 2023

Catcher Eric Hasse says "I think it just makes it more fair. It's obviously still going to be a bigger park. The dimensions weren't the biggest thing guys were frustrated about. It was the tall walls. ... It's going to be a more predictable ballpark...

"It's going to be a better atmosphere in total." 

And yes, Tigers legend Miguel Cabrera is already rejoicing, with a fun reaction to the news on Instagram: 

The Tigers finally adjust the dimensions of Comerica Park and now Miggy wants to play forever pic.twitter.com/2Mn1b7ETye

— Barstool Detroit (@BSMotorCity) January 11, 2023

"Now I want to play more years! 😂😂😂😂" was the response from Cabrera, who has already announced 2023 as his final season. 

Photo: Kirthmon F. Dozier via Imagn Content Services