Whither now, Rockies?

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 12:51 am

MLB has instructed that all teams this year must keep their baseballs in temperature-controlled settings and use only current-year balls in games.

MLB executive VP of baseball operations Jimmie Lee Solomon said Thursday that some clubs, besides the Rockies, will have humidity controls for the area where balls are stored, but he did not know how many. The eventual goal is to make sure that baseballs in all venues remain at Rawlings' specifications, presumably with all teams storing them in a standard chamber.

Does this mean we get back the Coors field of old, or does that mean that many other parks will be using humidors and this will be the year of the pitcher?

Captain Hook · Post by **Captain Hook** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 2:54 am

From what I have heard, the Rockies have pulled the plug on the humidor experiment and Coors is back baby!

Chest Rockwell · Post by **Chest Rockwell** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 3:24 am

The interesting thing about this is it is one question that you will get zero clarification on between now and opening day.

I lean to agree with Perry on this one- not sure if it makes me really move up too many Rockies hitters yet, but it does make me even more gun shy on Jeff Francis.

Hell I may even drop Jose Mesa off of my draft board now-

Captain Hook · Post by **Captain Hook** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 3:41 am

There is a story on MLB.com that major league baseball is looking at all teams keeping the new Rawlings "game balls" in Temperature controlled spaces. This would obviously be a way off.

I have seen people jump to the conclusion that all teams will be doing what the Rockies have done, but that is not the case - there is a big difference between Temperature Controlled and Humidity Controlled.

This article does argue with what had been in print about the Rockies perhaps discontinuing their exact storage plans, so we will have to get some clarification on this.

Quahogs · Post by **Quahogs** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 3:48 am

the humidor effect really did seem to work. Now it's back to bugs bunny doing the cha-cha. My question is will they EVER find the right formula to produce a winner out there ? Can't attract premier pitching FA's, no luck with changeup artists (hampton/neagle) sinkerballers ? The fast infield negates keeping the ball on the ground. Is there a limit to how thick you can grow infield grass ? Does the high altitude break the body down faster so when aug/sep rolls around the pitchers have nothing left in the tank ?

Q

Vander · Post by **Vander** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 4:30 am

My suggestion for O'dowd would be get a power pitcher or 2. yes hard to get, but they need them. R. johnson never had a problem pitching there and fill out the rotation with sinker ballers. Check D. Lowes performance there. He couldn't pitch in Minnesota because of the fast infield, but has no problem in Coors. You them need fast outfielders, cause there's lots of ground to cover. He also need middle infielders that can field and turn the dp. He can afford power on the corners of the infield and maybe a hitting heavy catcher. Remember even if he has all these defensive players, everybody has more power and is a better hitter in Coors if it's playing the old way. They also need a deep bullpen for those bad days. I would suggest more sinker guys and a power closer. Submariners moght add an added twist and do well there as they have in the past. These guys would be able to play on the road too. Unlike the old mold of a lot of sluggers with gaudy stats at home and are dismal on the road. That's how Dave the gm would try to construct the team.

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 7:30 am

Originally posted by Captain Hook:

From what I have heard, the Rockies have pulled the plug on the humidor experiment and Coors is back baby! Source, please.

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 8:17 am

Originally posted by bjoak:

quote:Originally posted by Captain Hook:

From what I have heard, the Rockies have pulled the plug on the humidor experiment and Coors is back baby! Source, please. [/QUOTE]Misinformation. The Rockies management has stated that they like the humidor and will implement it until MLB directs them to do otherwise. Maybe Hook heard this from a wishful fantasy manager with Holliday and Atkins on his keeper team.

Gordon Gekko · Post by **Gordon Gekko** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 9:05 am

Originally posted by bjoak:

quote:Originally posted by Captain Hook:

From what I have heard, the Rockies have pulled the plug on the humidor experiment and Coors is back baby! Source, please. [/QUOTE]okay...let's see the source. this should be 100% legit coming from an industry guy, right?

headhunters · Post by **headhunters** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 11:31 am

it is on cbs sportsline- all 30 teams 70 degress, 50% humidity, this years balls. in phoenix, colorado and maybe texas ( never been to arlington)- that will require a humidor i would think.

Captain Hook · Post by **Captain Hook** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 11:41 am

I said "I THOUGHT I heard.." I cannot find the quote and have just checked with a Denver source and an MLB source who have said they believe things will continue as they were last year in Colorado (the last month of the season notwithstanding).

I apologize for mentioning it without re-sourcing it first.

King of Queens · Post by **King of Queens** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 12:21 pm

Originally posted by Captain Hook:

I apologize for mentioning it without re-sourcing it first. Apology accepted, Captain Needa (and we all know what happened to him)

cribgusto · Post by **cribgusto** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 12:45 pm

Originally posted by headhunters:

it is on cbs sportsline- all 30 teams 70 degress, 50% humidity, this years balls. in phoenix, colorado and maybe texas ( never been to arlington)- that will require a humidor i would think. If standardization is true, does it have any fantasy effect on the freezing cold-weather cities? Perhaps that would heat things up fantasy-wise for batters relegated to playing with blue balls.

sportsbettingman · Post by **sportsbettingman** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 12:51 pm

What's next...temperature control of the bats?