The ball off Aaron Baker's bat just wouldn't stop carrying.
The State College Spikes infielder's fly ball took off deep into the State College night before glancing off the center field wall.
Baker ended up at third base. His first hit as a pro ball player was a RBI triple, but it just barely missed being a homer.
The dimensions of Medlar Field at Lubrano Park might play to the strengths of the Spikes offense as being very double-oriented. The stadium features deep gaps, going 410 feet to the left-center field fence and 375 feet to the wall in right center.
Entering play Thursday, the Spikes lead the New York-Penn League in doubles (34) and second in triples with eight. This is despite State College being eighth place in the 14-team league with five home runs.
But for second baseman Brock Holt, the dimensions aren't that big of a deal.
"I don't really pay attention to anything like that," Holt said. "Reckling [Park at Rice University in Houston] was a pretty big ballpark and the wind was always blowing in. So, it was more of a pitcher's ballpark than a hitter's ballpark, which kind of this is too."
Compared to some of the other parks in the NYPL, Medlar's dimensions are somewhat favorable. Oneonta's park is 350 feet to left and right field, Williamsport's Bowman Field is 340 feet to left and 350 to right and Jamestown is 414 feet to dead center.
The dimensions of the park, the second shallowest center field in the league behind the 390 foot center field in Staten Island, and the right field gap have really suited center fielder Evan Chambers well. His game-winning home run Saturday and his game-winning double Tuesday went to right-center and center respectively. Although with Chambers, his penchant for right field is more because of his approach then the dimensions.
"Being the No. 3 hitter in the lineup, I kind of expect being pitched more toward the outside corner," Chambers said. "So I have to focus on just staying back and keep my pressure on the leg because if I get too pull-happy, then everything falls apart."
But for Holt, the dimensions aren't as important as his fundamentals. With his fundamentals in check, he feels he'll start hitting those gaps soon.
"I really don't pay attention to that," Holt said. "Just got to start squaring balls up and start finding the gaps."
NYPL Notes
Brooklyn's 16-3 record so far this season is the best start in franchise history. The previous best was the team's inaugural season in 2001 when the Cyclones went 20-10 and went on to a league best 52-24...The Spikes enter play Thursday three games out of first place in the Pinckney Division and one game behind wild-card leader Batavia...Brock Holt is tied for third in the league with two home runs...Batavia right fielder Ryde Rodriguez leads the league in RBIs with 19.
