The Dimensions of the Prospect League
Author: Jared Weber, Bradley Statistics
It’s said that in life we cannot change the cards we’re dealt, just how we play the hand. And in the case of the sluggers of the Prospect League, they must let the fate of their fly balls be determined by the stadium in which they play. The Prospect League features 17 ballparks which all come in unique shapes and sizes that change the way baseball can be strategized for its teams. This article serves to provide an easy, interactive template for these fields to be analyzed and to highlight some of the most unique stadiums of the league.
Note: Left-Center was defined as 30° from the left pole, Center 45°, Right-Center 60°; Approximations of lengths can vary by several feet.
Measurements were made using Google Maps Measuring Tool.
The Corn Crib (Normal CornBelters)
Left: 328 Left-Center: 379 Center: 400 Right-Center: 364 Right: 318
Virtual Globetrotting
The best ballpark in the league may not have any standout markings compared to the rest of the league, but it still has its unique qualities.
Having a smaller distance and shorter wall, right field ends up giving the advantage to the left-handed sluggers at the Corn Crib.
The areas outside the poles do end up being very unique. Measuring at 72 ft between the foul line and the wall, the Belters have the 2nd most foul territory in the league, just trailing the Champion City Kings. This amount of foul territory is only really seen in the Oakland Coliseum for the major leagues, also measuring at around 70 ft.
Point Stadium (Johnstown Mill Rats)
Left: 285 Left-Center: 327 Center: 388 Right-Center: 394 Right: 290
johnstownmillrats.com
Residing as the only Northeast area Prospect League team, the interesting confines of Point Stadium draw a similar resemblance to their regional neighbors at Boston’s classic Fenway Park.
Point Stadium easily has the largest right-field in spite of having the shortest right pole distance at 290 ft. A ball hit just 10° to the left of the right pole would have to travel 380 ft to leave the park, similar to the dimension at Fenway’s Peski Pole.
And just like Fenway’s Lansdowne St., the close location of Johns St. makes left field the shortest porch in all of the Prospect League. Such a discrepancy bodes as an obviously tremendous advantage for right-handed-hitters.
The CornBelters unfortunately will not heading to Johnstown this season, but it still easily holds its mark as the most unique field in the league.
CarShield Field (O’Fallon Hoots)
Left: 320 Left-Center: 380 Center: 389 Right-Center: 341: Right: 300
discoverstcharles.com
Aside from possibly having the smoothest field name in America, The Hoots home park may seem normal at first glance. However, the park proves to offer a substantial difference between left and right field.
In spite of being just one of 6 stadiums to not have a single 400 ft marking, left-center field measures out to be above average at keeping balls in the park at 380 ft.
Conversely, the right side of the park ends up being the most shallow right field in the league measuring at 341 ft at right-center. However, pulling the ball too far right will bid less favors as a 40 foot wall stands by the 300 ft marked right field pole. These dimensions end up being similar to the major league park of Yankee stadium.
The Belters head to O’Fallon on July 15th and 16th.
Acknowledgements
Kernelytics Team: Cam, Jake, Jackson, Jared, Grant, Cassidy
Analytics Mentor: Jarrett Rodgers
Google Maps Measuring Tool