First off I am a Cubs fan, but I was really upset to see Biggio drop the fly ball by Derek Lee in game 1 of the series, then the one he dropped last night. The reason why I'm upset was because of that stupid hill in center. That seems like an injury waiting to happen. I know others have expressed displeasure in the hill, but can somebody please tell me why it's out there and why they haven't removed it yet?

Biggio did a couple of face plants into the last year. And they looked like nasty ones too. They just need to learn how to play it. All fields have their own problems. I would say it's kind of like the ivy in Wrigley. It's great looking but can cause alot of problems.

agreed that every field has its problems but what was the purpose of putting that in the field? Does it have some sort of advantage?

I think it's there just to have something unique. Andruw Jones has had problems with it as well...I remember in 2000 Bags & Caminiti hit consecutive balls that he either caught or played on the hill.

Crosley Field in Cincy had a flagpole in play, and that's why the flagpole is there. If you look about 15-20 feet up the flagpole, there's a mark where Richie Sexon was denied a HR by the pole.

The purpose was Tal Smith's ego in order to be unique. I can understand the hill although the grade may be a little too steep, but the flag pole? That's just too far. You have 2 flag poles behind the fence and one 10 feet in front of the others. It's not even symmetric for crying out loud.

I LOVE the hill! I don't watch the Astros all that much so I haven't seen anyone face plant but I'd love to see the replays.

I'd be upset if Edmonds of the Cards got hurt on it though.

[This message has been edited by PJYoung (edited 6/17/2004 8:08p).]

The hill is great. Astros need a better center fielder.

A CF needs to shag about thirty balls A DAY on and around "The Hill" to be productive.

See Dave Roberts last year.

Yep, Tal Smith implemented it and thus, it's called Tal's Hill. Berkmann stroked it out there tonight for a double. The one thing I don't like about CF in MMP is that it takes a mammoth blast to go out in center. Now sit back and imagine if the hill came into play about 385 feet.

Tal Smith, director of baseball operations for the Astros, didn't want Minute Maid to be a cookie cutter ball park like some of the other newer parks have been accused of being. So he put in the hill and the flag pole. Apparently the short porch in left was also one of the ideas to make the park original and get fans right on top of the play.

Tal Smith was also the one who lobbied extremely hard to hire Jimy Williams.

Thanks Tal.

I think they should put a giant hole in the outfield. And maybe some landmines and a few goats.

You can have a unique ballpark without resorting to goofy gimmicks.

[This message has been edited by Seven Costanza (edited 6/18/2004 10:30a).]

I think they should mow cusswords into the outfield grass.

That hill is so lame. It's a ripoff of the incline that the Reds had in front of the fence at Crosley Field. Tal Smith (Astros President) is from Cincinnati, so he included a tribute to their old park when they designed the juice box.

The flag pole in center field is a ripoff of Tiger Stadium.

it was designed to purposely be a rip off of a lot of other stadiums