With all these soft openings, the Marlins are starting to realize their interesting creation in left-center field might pose a problem for batters.
Already, the batter’s eye in straight-away center field has been repainted black from the green color that is evident throughout the walls of the outfield.
The home run feature, which goes off when a Marlins player launches one over the fences, was designed by renowned artist Red Grooms. The nearly 75′-tall structure has an abundance of color from aqua to pink to green and everything in between. It also features moving waves along the bottom and spin cycles of Marlins, seagulls and flamingos.
Corner infielder Greg Dobbs, a left-handed batter, also already voiced his concern in an interview with the Miami Herald and what could await what most fans consider a “hideous” structure.
“If it is an issue, it can no longer be there,” Dobbs said. “I won’t be the only left-handed hitter saying something. If other teams have a problem with it, they’re definitely going to voice their concern to the league.”
However on Tuesday night, Marlins prospect Christian Yelich, a left-handed batter, went 2-for-3 including a game-tying RBI in the ninth inning against the University of Miami.
For fans rejoicing that the sculpture is on life support please don’t keep your hopes up. The sculpture cost an estimated $2.5 million to build and won’t be torn down or moved as that would exceed costs and enter territory that David Samson and company vowed they wouldn’t enter.
President David Samson voiced his opinion on the matter and stated it’s “not an issue whatsoever” after Major League Baseball inspected the ballpark, specifically on the batter’s eye last week.
If it indeed becomes a problem, the only viable option would be to install a tinted retractable window to cover the sculpture, essentially dimming its characteristics and have it come down during the celebration. Furthermore, a window, especially one made with hurricane proof resistance could help against home run blasts by Giancarlo Stanton who seems like a perfect candidate to take apart the sculpture bit by bit with his majestic power.
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