PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — The New York Mets don’t have to wait until opening day to gauge how the pulled-in fences at Citi Field should lead to more long balls.
One practice field in Port St. Lucie, Fla., replicates those dimensions, including before and after marks that illustrate the radical makeover.
At Field 7, just outside the main field at Digital Domain Park, there are several spots in the power alleys where there’s room to drive a semi between two chain-link fences — a 16-foot high monster seemingly constructed to keep balls in play the first three years at the new ballpark and the hitter-friendly 8-foot wall the park will have this season.
The Mets estimate 29 more homers — including both teams — would have been hit last season.
