Orioles Release Renderings of New Left Field Dimensions at Oriole Park at Camden Yards

Last week, The Baltimore Sun reported the Orioles are underway on a project to alter the left field dimensions at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. On Friday, the Orioles released renderings of the renovation project, and Orioles Executive Vice President and General Manager Mike Elias and Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Analytics Sig Mejdal spoke about the decision to move the fence back.

From Orioles.com:

The left-field wall, in coordination with the Maryland Stadium Authority, is in the process of being pushed back 26 1/2 feet into the seating area and raised from 7 feet, 4 inches to an even 13 feet. Construction is underway and will be completed by Opening Day 2022.

In the renderings, the left field foul pole will remain in place at 333 ft. However, the new fence will angle out deeper after the foul pole to expand the field dimensions and form a box in left field where the warning track hits the bullpens in left-center field.

“It is being done with the goal in mind of bringing the playing conditions at our stadium more towards the league norm,” said Elias in an Orioles.com video. “This has been, since its inception in 1992, an extreme park for home runs. We are very hopeful about what the effects will be towards brining this park towards neutrality. It’s still going to remain very much a hitter’s park is our expectation. And even a hitter’s park in particular for right-handed batters.”

He added: “The conditions here have been very extreme, towards the very most extreme, in the league. It’s not a secret, it’s been the case for decades. And part of having a winning program is the ability the recruit free agent pitchers. And that has been a historical challenge for this franchise.”

“This is an extreme home run park, if not the most, the second most,” said Mejdal in the Orioles.com video. “And for right-handed batters it seems clear this is the most extreme home run park. And as Mike said, that doesn’t do this team any favors. We wanted to take this significant step toward neutrality.”

Renderings from the Baltimore Orioles

Orioles.com interview with Mike Elias and Sig Mejdal

About the Author: Kevin Lynch

Founder and Publisher of SouthBmore.com, longtime resident of South Baltimore, and a graduate of Towson University. Diehard Ravens and O's fan, father of three, amateur pizza chef, skateboarder, and "bar food" foodie. Email me at Kevin@InceptMM.com and follow me on Twitter at @SoBoKevin.