Open Bullpens?

[StormShadow]

Do you think baseball should make it mandatory that all Bullpens be enclosed?

My feeling is no parks should have the Bullpens open due to safety concerns. I dont know how many players I have seen in the past years get hurt running after a fly ball and they end up tripping over the bullpen mounds. I have also seen pitchers get hit with hot shots while warming up.

Fielders have enough to worry about with walls and dugouts..........not to mention the on deck circle, I dont think they should have to worry about running into an open Bullpen and screwing up their ankle, knee, back or something else.

So what is your guys view on this?

[Thedatch]

I just think for aesthetic reasons they should have enclosed bullpens, because I think it's butt-ugly for them to be near the 1st and 3rd base bags...

It is a funny little quirk though, like the little hill in Houston that adds some excitement to the game.

[StormShadow]

I just think for aesthetic reasons they should have enclosed bullpens, because I think it's butt-ugly for them to be near the 1st and 3rd base bags...

It is a funny little quirk though, like the little hill in Houston that adds some excitement to the game.

Yeah, whats the deal with that Hill?? I have always wondered about that thing, but never cared to look up why

[Thedatch]

Yeah, whats the deal with that Hill?? I have always wondered about that thing, but never cared to look up why

it's an identity thing I believe...like the green monster. Something to remember the park by.

[StormShadow]

it's an identity thing I believe...like the green monster. Something to remember the park by.

LOL I would HATE to play center field with that hill, it would be in the back of my mind most of the time.

[Fireball]

About a week ago, a first base coach for the minor league Tulsa Drillers got nailed in the back of the head and died. Is anybody concerned for the safety of the pitchers warming up, who certainly aren't watching the game very intently?

[milky_way]

About a week ago, a first base coach for the minor league Tulsa Drillers got nailed in the back of the head and died.
That's exactly what I was thinking of....

I would rather have enclosed bullpens. I don't think it's THAT big of a deal, but why take the chance that someone will get injured by a foul line drive? It's not a big issue, but by enclosing all bullpens it could be a complete non-issue...

[ginalee]

it's an identity thing I believe...like the green monster. Something to remember the park by.

[Camden Yards]

Do you think baseball should make it mandatory that all Bullpens be enclosed?

My feeling is no parks should have the Bullpens open due to safety concerns. I dont know how many players I have seen in the past years get hurt running after a fly ball and they end up tripping over the bullpen mounds. I have also seen pitchers get hit with hot shots while warming up.

Fielders have enough to worry about with walls and dugouts..........not to mention the on deck circle, I dont think they should have to worry about running into an open Bullpen and screwing up their ankle, knee, back or something else.

So what is your guys view on this?


are we talking about in MLB or in a whole as even minor leagues as well? if just MLB (my mind may be drawing a blank) but isn't Wrigley Field the only Stadium in which has their BP down the lines?

[Rockin Robin]

I think Joe Robbie (aka Prop Player aka Dolphin) has the open bullpen, and I think the BOB (or whatever bank now owns it) where the D'Backs play also have it.

But I do think that may be it, so it's not the biggest issue in the world.


btw, every single center fielder who goes into Houston hates that hill!!! It's so dangerous!

[ginalee]

It is a funny little quirk though, like the little hill in Houston that adds some excitement to the game.