Is Texas Rangers Ballpark a hitter’s or pitcher’s park?

Some of the reasons it has been considered a hitter’s park is because of a few factors such as the high temperature during the summer, short fences and the design of the ballpark which creates a swirling effect with the wind in the outfield which has a tendency to lift balls and carry them out.

Since 1994, the Texas Rangers have hit over 200 home runs as a team 8 times and were just 4 short of the record in 2005 with 260 home runs (Mariners hit 264 in 1997).

The club has had several wind studies performed on the ballpark trying to change the swirling winds in the outfield.

In 2006, another wind study was performed to determine the changes in the wind pattern between the lower and upper decks behind home plate.

Since then, the Texas Rangers have made additional changes to the ballpark such as Batter’s Eye Club in the outfield.

Along with the Batter’s Eye Club, the Rangers added new jumbo tron over the home run porch, new displays beside the Coke signs in the outfield, another commissioners box and moved the wall behind home plate.

The most recent change to RBiA are the additional concession stands behind home plate and the removal of the Cuervo Club.

Previously, these areas were blocked and fostered the necessary conditions that create the swirling winds from right to center, and resulted in more balls being carried out for home runs.

But the next few years will add more data to support that Texas Rangers Ballpark in Arlington might be more of a pitcher’s park than a hitter’s park.

In my opinion, the goal of the wind studies has been to decrease the swirling winds in the outfield to bring down the home runs totals for both the Texas Rangers and the visiting team.