Baseball Musings: Change of Policy?

October 25, 2005

Change of Policy?

One thing that bothered me about all this roof opening and closing is that there appeared to be a change of policy. I remember the Blue Jays having the roof closed during the playoffs in the early 1990's because they were told to keep it shut:

Blue Jays management decides whether it will be open or closed for regular-season games. In the postseason, however, the American League dictated that the roof stay closed for each of the playoff and World Series games played at the Rogers Centre.

There were some beautiful days during those playoffs, but the roof stayed closed. Of course, things have changed. CBS is no longer the rights holder, and the American League no longer exists as an independent entity. Bud Selig's view may be that games should be played out doors whenever possible. The opening of the roof in Arizona during the 2001 World Series supports that theory.

So at one time, baseball insisted on the roof being closed despite great weather, and now may insist that it's open, despite the home team wishing otherwise. I would think that roof closed would be the default state for domed stadiums in the playoffs. To open the roof, I would want a very compelling weather report that nothing is going to happen, be it rain or just a sudden drop in temperature. The roof closed provides a controlled environment which better ensures the broadcast goes off without a hitch. I'm surprised that's not the stance of MLB.

Note: I greatly prefer outdoor to indoor baseball. If I were attending the game as a non-partisan fan, I'd want the roof open. What I don't understand here is the logic baseball is applying. From a business perspective, MLB is better off with the roof closed.

Posted by David Pinto at 10:47 AM | World Series | TrackBack (1)

Comments

Weather forecasting isn't perfect but I really doubt that there will be a storm or sudden drop in temperature that no one saw coming. If there is chance of bad weather close it, if not, leave it open.

Since the roof at Bank One Ballpark was left open in the 2001 World Series, MLB would be consistent in applying its policy.

Posted by: Mike L. at October 25, 2005 11:12 AM

What does Fox say about this? I wonder if aerial camera views are a factor here. They shouldn't be, I'm just speculating.

Posted by: Scott Janssens at October 25, 2005 11:20 AM

Why not compromise?

The Astros play a number of games each season with the roof closed to begin the game, then open it up before the top of the 7th (depending on weather.)

One negative with the closed roof is pop-ups that hit a rafter - hard to decide fair / foul status. Gawd knows the umps have been challenged enough during the playoffs. And we don't want to see a crucial play determined by a ball ricocheting off a beam somewhere.

Personally, I think the players will decide the outcome, not some policy decision.

Posted by: James at October 25, 2005 12:02 PM

What was the temperature in Toronto in October during those day/evening games.

Posted by: rbj at October 25, 2005 02:46 PM

well this is our ballpark

and 50 something degrees is unusually cold for houston. you and bud might could like baseball outdoors in the cold, but most of us don't.

james, it was LAST year we opened the roof after the 7th. and there's NO excuse for that. the roof don't need to be opened to show people that it actually can open.

players usually decide the outcome. this time, bud selig did. and that is horse stuff.

Posted by: lisa gray at October 25, 2005 03:15 PM

I will lose a lot of respect for Houston fans and players if they happen to lose tonight with the roof open and blame it on that.

Posted by: Rob at October 25, 2005 03:38 PM

Lisa, I don't think the fans will mind if the Astros win :)

Posted by: Scott Janssens at October 25, 2005 03:58 PM

i was a season ticket holder during those blue jays days, and going back to before the '85 playoffs at exhibition stadium. at least in terms of the playoffs, i don't recall ever going to the ballpark and regretting that the roof was not open. so to answer rbi's query, i don't think it was ever a particularly close call -- although i do recall the Jays, like the Astros, having a pronounced advantage in terms of W-L record with the roof closed. as for there being "some beautiful days" during those long ago playoffs, i kinda doubt it -- this is Toronto, in late October. What i do remember is being happy that: a/the roof was closed and b/ (more importantly) the opponents were calling for either Jeff Reardon or Mitch Williams from the pen. Those were the days!

Posted by: cy at October 25, 2005 08:30 PM