http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8c/NLW-SD-Insignia.png/150px-NLW-SD-Insignia.png
San Diego Padres



I love the urban stadiums that have backdrops and city life surrounding the park. Detroit, pittsburgh and chicago come to mind most vividly. I wanted you to see what Petco Park in San Diego will look like from a few vantage points as of 2008-2010. Let me know what you all think.

http://img437.imageshack.us/img437/7066/aerial9ie.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img437.imageshack.us/img437/7779/kpf1clarge3cl.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img437.imageshack.us/img437/7448/legend20rendering20final5rj.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

two blocks away
http://img437.imageshack.us/img437/2974/librarytowernew20crop2se.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img437.imageshack.us/img437/3264/thumb4fs.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img437.imageshack.us/img437/7628/thumb22ja.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

why the renderings? get some REAL pics of this beautiful park

nice stadium. but win nl west with 82-80 is a joke.

The entire National League West Division is a joke, but that is the way it works.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y84/lrd1rocha/Locations/San%20Diego/Petco%20Park/CAN04875.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y84/lrd1rocha/Locations/San%20Diego/Petco%20Park/CAN04887.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y84/lrd1rocha/Locations/San%20Diego/Petco%20Park/CAN04858.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y84/lrd1rocha/Locations/San%20Diego/Petco%20Park/CAN04866.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y84/lrd1rocha/Locations/San%20Diego/Petco%20Park/6f8c88d1.jpg

nice

SDFan went and took a little trip to the SD planning center downtown. here is what is being built as we speak within the view of the bowl at PETCO PARK. Pretty much all of them will be done by 2008-2009. There are I believe 4 others not in these pics that reach the height limit of the city. Not including, additionally the Ballpark Village seen in the renderings if you scroll up the page a bit. Enjoy!

http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/953/img34607hw.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/2236/img34669ba.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

top of the pic, the view looking into petco
http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/2364/img34727sb.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/1282/img34848hv.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/6194/petco40lj.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/2885/aerial9we.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/9498/legend20rendering20final1zw.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/1668/kpf1clarge2bd.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

^ Wow

Now if this isn't right up there with the top 3 skyline views from inside a ballpark my name is arse: :runaway:

http://img374.imageshack.us/img374/1356/23r5ef.jpg

How sweet is that, and it is only going to get much much better. :booze: :applause: :cheers1:

yeah it is already nice looking northwest. but looking straight east, it is just ok. south east kinda eh. but OMG wait until 2010. you will see a city skyline complete with skyscrapers, parks, ocean, bay, midrises, in a full 360 degrees viewpoint. World's best, really.

By much much better he means the difference between oh rosanne bar and Jessica Alba

Heck, that is a good picture mello.

MLB
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/90/NLW-SD-Logo.png/100px-NLW-SD-Logo.png
San Diego Padres



When Petco Park in San Diego was completed, the surrounding area was still very much incomplete. Now it is just about half way done and it is beginning to look amazing. There are still many many tall residential, commercial and midrise buildings as well as a "hopefully" new library coming. See recent photos.

Some pics I took recently - by sd_urban



Take Me Out To The Ballgame......Pics from last Sunday's Padres-Cardinals game. Notice that the neighborhood is filling in quite well. :tup:


http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/Downtown%20Shots/IMG_8421.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/Downtown%20Shots/IMG_8450.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/Downtown%20Shots/IMG_8487.jpg

Aria is close to topping out, with the cranes for Vantage Pointe in the foreground
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/Downtown%20Shots/IMG_8418.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/Downtown%20Shots/IMG_8488.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/Downtown%20Shots/IMG_8453.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/Downtown%20Shots/IMG_8443.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/Downtown%20Shots/IMG_8464.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/Downtown%20Shots/IMG_8448.jpg

Hilton Hotel is going up fast across Harbor Drive
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/Downtown%20Shots/IMG_8445.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/Downtown%20Shots/IMG_8463.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/Downtown%20Shots/IMG_8461.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/Downtown%20Shots/IMG_8473.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/Downtown%20Shots/IMG_8468.jpg

Cheap seats, San Diego-style
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/Downtown%20Shots/IMG_8474.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/Downtown%20Shots/IMG_8472.jpg

Main Library site if it ever gets built
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/Downtown%20Shots/IMG_8502.jpg

Mini-scraper canyon
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/Downtown%20Shots/IMG_8498.jpg

Urban patio
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/Downtown%20Shots/IMG_8497.jpg

Crane for The Diegan
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/Downtown%20Shots/IMG_8416.jpg

The Mark stands tall
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/Downtown%20Shots/IMG_8496.jpg

If only the airport would move up north to Miramar. San Diego (my hometown) needs a 800 foot tall building.

Ahh well..cool pics.

Lookes awesome, looks like its really becoming a dynamic area around the park.

One of the Padres should really juice himself up and hit a homer that breaks a condo window. Or wait for Barry Bonds to pay a visit.

Now that is just fucking awesome. I love San Diego.

Great pictures.. Great Ball park ..

Awesome pics.
Here are new pics from Petco Park
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2267/2443479894_467217cf71_b.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1240/864843630_d474357d81_o.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/111/310693859_ea998306fb_o.jpg

this is cool how the developers incorporated the red-brick building that has the supply company on it. reminds me alot of camden yards with the giant warehouse. beautiful stadium!!!!!!!!!!!:Okay:

now THIS is how you watch a baseball game. this is what i'm talkin' about! wow!!!:okay:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/Downtown%20Shots/IMG_8474.jpg

Pets get in for free, don't they? After all, Petco made its fortune off of them. Woof, woof!!

Petco is one of my favorite MLB parks i love how they made the suits in left field look like a building that has always been there and the suits in the life tower its very cool/

Petco is one of my favorite MLB parks i love how they made the suits in left field look like a building that has always been there and the suits in the life tower its very cool/

They didn't build the suites to look like a building that was already there, the building was there before the stadium was built and they just incorporated it into the stadium.

They didn't build the suites to look like a building that was already there, the building was there before the stadium was built and they just incorporated it into the stadium.
Well then thats even better.

looks very nice! San Diego, where I ate me first Mexican taco! Que bueno...

Lovely stadium in a great city - Probably the best city in the US IMO. I like the idea of the grass bank for fans to sit on reminds me of some cricket grounds in south africa.

Best park in the Majors.:)

posted October 14th, 2005;

I love the urban stadiums that have backdrops and city life surrounding the park. Detroit, pittsburgh and chicago come to mind most vividly. I wanted you to see what Petco Park in San Diego will look like from a few vantage points as of 2008-2010. Let me know what you all think.


Here ya' Go... Beautiful photo taken 09.11.2010 by the US Navy. Outstanding photo!

http://img810.imageshack.us/img810/549/50184536.jpg (http://img810.imageshack.us/i/50184536.jpg/)

Download HiRes (http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/photos/100911-N-2953W-330.jpg)

SAN DIEGO (Sept. 11, 2010) Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70(aircraft carrier)) unfurl the "Pacific Life Holiday Bowl Big Flag" during pre-game activities at PETCO Park to commemorate the ninth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adrian White/Released)

I go down to two or three Dodger/Padres games a year and absolutely love Petco Park. It's a shame that even this year when they're good that nobody shows up to games, but it's still a great stadium. They didn't go with the boring brick and green motif, instead going with something unique that looks great. The only bad thing I can say about the place is that stupid thing that sticks out in right field.

The only bad thing I can say about the place is that stupid thing that sticks out in right field.

Yea they need to take care of that... it's stupid..

It's a shame that even this year when they're good that nobody shows up to games, but it's still a great stadium.

Humm?? What do you mean by nobody shows up?? I just checked..

Padres 2010 Home Attendance (http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=mlb/teams/010/attendance.aspx?team=010)

They are drawing an average of 26,039 a game. Not bad.. moderate by modern day MLB standards. IMO they should be drawing about 30,000+ a game easily..There's over 3 million folks in San Diego county plus those that can come up from Mexico. There's no reason they can't draw 2.5 a season...every year.

I lived in San Diego for 26 years..'77-'04.

Humm?? What do you mean by nobody shows up?? I just checked..

Padres 2010 Home Attendance (http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=mlb/teams/010/attendance.aspx?team=010)

They are drawing an average of 26,039 a game. Not bad.. moderate by modern day MLB standards. IMO they should be drawing about 30,000+ a game easily..There's over 3 million folks in San Diego county plus those that can come up from Mexico. There's no reason they can't draw 2.5 a season...every year.

I lived in San Diego for 26 years..'77-'04.

Ok, not nobody. I exaggerated a big there, but a very poor showing for a team that's been in first place all season. They should be well over 30,000 and really should be over 35,000 in years like this when they're so good. While it's amusing for me as a Dodger fan, it's somewhat sad that I've gone to a couple games this year where there's 20,000 announced, not that many actually there and 5,000 of them are Dodger fans.

I went there during the American Independence Day weekend. It's nice, except the face that the lower outfield concourse is lower than the rest of the concourse. The use of the existing building in left field is a nice touch.

I go down to two or three Dodger/Padres games a year and absolutely love Petco Park. It's a shame that even this year when they're good that nobody shows up to games, but it's still a great stadium. They didn't go with the boring brick and green motif, instead going with something unique that looks great. The only bad thing I can say about the place is that stupid thing that sticks out in right field.

Is there another ballpark in the majors with one bullpen in-play and another bullpen out-of-play? I don't like the contrived quirkiness of the RF corner either. I don't like the weird towers on the 1st and 3rd base side, I don't like the fact that because of the towers, the mezzanine and upper deck aren't continuous. I do like how it incorporates the Western Metal Supply Co. building as part of the ballpark.

... but a very poor showing for a team that's been in first place all season.

I agree 100%..

I don't like the weird towers on the 1st and 3rd base side, I don't like the fact that because of the towers, the mezzanine and upper deck aren't continuous. I do like how it incorporates the Western Metal Supply Co. building as part of the ballpark.

As I've stated before I don't like the quirky right field corner. They need to fix that.

I think the idea for those towers may have come from old Wrigley Field in LA.

http://i52.tinypic.com/23m1sn6.jpg

And a pretty good hi-res look at one of those towers courtesy of the US Navy.

http://i56.tinypic.com/2rx8qdv.jpg
Download HiRes (http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/photos/070921-N-8878B-018.jpg)

SAN DIEGO (Sept. 21, 2007) - Sailors assigned to Tactical Air Control Squadron (TACRON) 12 present the colors during the national anthem before a game between the San Diego Padres and Colorado Rookies at Petco Park. As part of pre-game ceremonies, Padres fans joined together in recognizing the National Prisoners of War/Missing in Action Day. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Michael C. Barton (RELEASED)

The 12-story tower at Los Angeles's Wrigley Field housed the PCL offices, and even if the towers at Petco were inspired by old LA Wrigley, IMO they detract from the overall look of the ballpark.
The cross-section, from foul pole to foul pole has a pretty aggressive cantilever, at least for a modern park.

^^ I agree with you. Some architect must have thought that was innovative or was looking at photos of Griffith Stadium in DC. I don't like that interrupted deck at Cincinnati GAB either.

The 12-story tower at Los Angeles's Wrigley Field housed the PCL offices, and even if the towers at Petco were inspired by old LA Wrigley, IMO they detract from the overall look of the ballpark.
The cross-section, from foul pole to foul pole has a pretty aggressive cantilever, at least for a modern park.

You don't like anything that's not bricks and green standard issue.

You don't like anything that's not bricks and green standard issue.

Not true. I see that I'm replying to post made at a quarter to 4 in the morning...

Your post has nothing to with Petco Park but an attack on a subjective opinion.

However I will dispute your claim, parks past and present that interest me include but not limited to are any ballpark built between 1909 and 1915, Yankee Stadium (1923-1973, 1976-2008), Los Angeles' Wrigley Field, Metropolitan Stadium, Anaheim Stadium, Kauffman Stadium, even Cincinnati's Riverfront Stadium, the Kingdome, Safeco Field, New Comiskey ('04-present), OPACY, Jacobs Field, Coors Field, AT&T Park, Monterrey Stadium, Les Murakami (Rainbow) Stadium, Munhak Baseball Stadium in S. Korea, Delorimier Downs, the ballpark formerly known as Franklin Covey Field in SLC.
Some of those facilities fall under the "bricks and green standard issue" category, and some do not.

I kind of like the towers here, but I wouldn't want it to be reused elsewhere. Its always questionable to break a seating bowl in a major fashion, but this works much better than the GAB in my opinion. Here there is still continuity around the stadium, the GAB is two separate grandstands meeting on the third base line in an incredibly awkward transition.

Petco Park can be seen in an aerial shot from the movie Anchorman, which takes place in 1970s San Diego, I would have used some stock footage instead but it was a comedy and accuracy wasn't the goal.

a few other exterior shots

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll251/rlshky/PetcoPark.jpg

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll251/rlshky/f2089.jpg

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll251/rlshky/listing_311220081717491_32.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/93/236830169_d7e1875dba_z.jpg?zz=1
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/4982250183_966e1ce650_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/195/468597508_6316718a2e_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/97/281973599_9401e8610d_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/5041646008_ac791e2f88_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/22/26978105_ba74d348e4_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/111/281988879_e293c8a754_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/4869728209_43c1bd7c94_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/202/535522254_bb29854565_b.jpg

From April 5, 2008 vs the Los Angeles Dodgers

http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h392/CVTower/PadresGameApril52008001.jpg
http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h392/CVTower/PadresGameApril52008002.jpg
http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h392/CVTower/PadresGameApril52008003.jpg
http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h392/CVTower/PadresGameApril52008006.jpg
http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h392/CVTower/PadresGameApril52008007.jpg
http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h392/CVTower/PadresGameApril52008008.jpg
http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h392/CVTower/PadresGameApril52008012.jpg
http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h392/CVTower/PadresGameApril52008013.jpg
http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h392/CVTower/PadresGameApril52008014.jpg

It's a pretty park, but seriously flawed. Including some seats in the left field upper level that cannot see home plate. The Padres sell those seats last, and at a discounted price. There are other seats that cannot see various parts of the outfield. Too quirky and gimmicky for my taste.

It's a pretty park, but seriously flawed. Including some seats in the left field upper level that cannot see home plate. The Padres sell those seats last, and at a discounted price. There are other seats that cannot see various parts of the outfield. Too quirky and gimmicky for my taste.

That is not true, it isn't possible for the seats to not have a view of home plate. In the upper left field section the Western Metal building blocks the view of center field.

That is not true, it isn't possible for the seats to not have a view of home plate. In the upper left field section the Western Metal building blocks the view of center field.
Not only is it possible, it happened. The third scoreboard support from the left blocks about six seats from having a direct view of home plate. Not only that, the structure in straightaway center field blocks part of the seats on either side of the structure from seeing home plate. Similar problems exist at new Yankee Stadium.

Not only is it possible, it happened. The third scoreboard support from the left blocks about six seats from having a direct view of home plate. Not only that, the structure in straightaway center field blocks part of the seats on either side of the structure from seeing home plate. Similar problems exist at new Yankee Stadium.

Can't believe stadiums are still being built today with obstructed view seating. :cripes:

Can't believe stadiums are still being built today with obstructed view seating. :cripes:

That's what you get when everyone wants some special, quirky design. When a stadium is plain and unobstructed you get complaints about character and seats being too far from the field.

That's what you get when everyone wants some special, quirky design. When a stadium is plain and unobstructed you get complaints about character and seats being too far from the field.
And to be fair the number of seats with that issue is tiny, probably less than 15. I don't think that the Padres are worried about the situation.

I like Petco but I have to agree it's a little too quirky. Espically that right field corner..What were they thinking.

Petco is in a great location being in downtown SD. Hopefully soon a new Chargers stadium will arise adjacent to Petco.

Downtown SD has really changed in the last 25 years or so...for the better!

With the exception of the right field part sticking out I think it's one of the best stadiums in the league. The sightlines are great, the club level is very nice and has all the amenities without feeling too posh, the location is perfect and the park in centerfield is fantastic.

It is ok. south east kinda eh. but OMG wait until 2010. you will notice a city skyline complete with skyscrapers, parks, ocean, bay, midrises, in a full 360 degrees viewpoint. World's best.

It is ok. south east kinda eh. but OMG wait until 2010. you will notice a city skyline complete with skyscrapers, parks, ocean, bay, midrises, in a full 360 degrees viewpoint. World's best.

You spammer!!.. It's 2011..hopefully soon you will be banned.

^^ thanks for the report and he is done and same as his advertising signature.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6140/5941032983_229a07d93f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/markwhitt/5941032983/)
Petco Park - Padres vs Royals (DSC_6819a) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/markwhitt/5941032983/) by markwhitt (http://www.flickr.com/people/markwhitt/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5072/5873614129_30a022b440_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/markwhitt/5873614129/)
San Diego Padres - Petco Park 06.26.11 (DSC_6451a) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/markwhitt/5873614129/) by markwhitt (http://www.flickr.com/people/markwhitt/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7171/6705283061_892818f9f4_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7163/6705280419_5b147b5952_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7155/6705274275_e23179eeff_b.jpg

Nice photos looks a great stadium

Went to the Padres - Giants game on Sunday. This ballpark is so beautiful and we had a great time! It is in serious need of a scoreboard upgrade however. Does anyone know if there are any such plans?

Went to the Padres - Giants game on Sunday. This ballpark is so beautiful and we had a great time! It is in serious need of a scoreboard upgrade however. Does anyone know if there are any such plans?

The padres just changed ownership. I'm sure the new owners have that on the agenda at some point.

Like Safeco Field, the Padres are bringing the OF fences in. From December 1

http://pbs.twimg.com/media/A9DVLI0CAAEhCC3.jpg

Like Safeco Field, the Padres are bringing the OF fences in. From December 1

http://pbs.twimg.com/media/A9DVLI0CAAEhCC3.jpg

Looks like they finally got tired of it being the most unfair to hitters park in the league. Now if only there were a way to push the fences at Yankee Stadium out some...

This picture shows the new dimensions. Red is the existing wall. Blue is what the new wall will be.
http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/images/2012/10/22/NwlK4cMa.jpg

Like Safeco Field, the Padres are bringing the OF fences in. From December 1


Wow!!?? This is all news to me! thanks for posting! What will be behind that right fleild wall? Will they bring in the bull pens?

FYI, the fence in the pic that I posted via the Padres' twitter is a construction fence. The fences aren't being moved in that much. When the Mets moved in the fences at Citi Field, offense actually decreased. It will be interesting to see how this place plays. With the marine layer, the outfield was way too big to begin with.

Looks like they finally got tired of it being the most unfair to hitters park in the league. Now if only there were a way to push the fences at Yankee Stadium out some...

http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/images/2012/10/22/NwlK4cMa.jpg
Its possible to bring fences in but its impossible to push them out.

If that picture really shows where the walls will it seems like a pretty significant change.

Visitor bullpen moving too?

Petco Park new fence dimensions story. This should answer most questions.

San Diego Padres will move in portion of Petco's fences - ESPN (http://search.yahoo.com/r/_ylt=A0oG7mgzRcdQfToASCtXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE1YTNhbnY3BHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMQRjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkA1NNRTE2OF8yNTI-/SIG=138lrvsnt/EXP=1355265459/**http%3a//espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8539363/san-diego-padres-move-portion-petco-fences)


Associated Press October 22nd 2012

SAN DIEGO -- The vast outfield at Petco Park will no longer be a place where long fly balls go to die.

The San Diego Padres said Monday that work will begin this week to bring in the fences in right field and left-center, and to move the visitor's bullpen from right-field foul territory to behind the home bullpen beyond the fence in left-center.

After years of angst by their sluggers, the Padres said it was time to change the extreme nature of the downtown ballpark -- which some people derisively called Petco National Park -- to one that plays more fairly.

"We want the park to play the right away for players and for the fans," Padres president and CEO Tom Garfinkel said. "That was driven first by baseball operations in terms of the right way to construct the dimensions to make it more fair for players. Players know what's fair and what's not. When they crush a ball that would be out in 29 other parks, and it's not out here, they know that it's not fair. We wanted to make it more fair from that standpoint."

For the fans, the changes might result in fewer boring games.

From the right-field porch to the right-center gap, the fence will be moved in from 402 feet to 391 feet and lowered to match the rest of the outfield wall. The out-of-town scoreboard on the right-field wall will be relocated to a new spot above right field as part of seating modifications.

In left-center, the fence will be moved in from 402 feet to 390 feet to allow for the visiting team's bullpen to be relocated, mostly for safety issues.

The dimensions will remain the same down the left-field line (336 feet), right-field line (322) and straightaway center (396).

The changes are good news to sluggers like Chase Headley, and even pitcher Tim Stauffer said he's OK with them.

"Any way that they can make a ballpark play a bit more fair is a good thing," said Headley, who won the NL RBI title with 115 and set career bests with 31 homers, 173 hits and 95 runs scored. "I definitely like a variation among the stadiums, but when you have a stadium that plays so drastic to one side, anything that you can improve the consistency of for both sides is a positive."

"I'm not going to say I'm going to hit more home runs than I did this year, because I don't know what's going to happen," Headley said. "I think more than anything, when you hit a ball that you know probably should be a home run, it will reward you. Having something at least less drastic, I think, is going to improve everybody's approach and confidence. You're not going to be walking back to the dugout after hitting one that's a home run in 29 other ballparks saying, `This is dumb.' It's not going to turn it into a hitters' park, but most of the balls you've really hit well, you'll be rewarded for."

Headley hit 13 homers at Petco and 18 on the road.

When Petco Park opened in 2004, then-general manager Kevin Towers joked that the Padres had made it Barry Bonds-proof, since the San Francisco Giants slugger always tormented San Diego. Bonds later quipped that the Padres had made Petco Park "baseball-proof." Bonds hit his 755th homer at Petco Park on Aug. 4, 2007, tying Hank Aaron with an opposite-field shot to left-center.

During the 2004 season, sluggers Phil Nevin and Ryan Klesko groused about how they'd crush a ball that would be a homer in other parks, only to watch it go for a long out. Nevin once hit a double that he thought should have been a homer. After reaching second, he gestured angrily toward Towers' box. The two later had words in the clubhouse.

The Padres did modify the right-field gap one year, but avoided making major changes.

"Our goal is to move Petco Park away from being the most extreme run suppressing ballpark in major league baseball," said executive chairman Ron Fowler, part of the group that bought the Padres from John Moores in August. "After an extensive study, it became clear to all of us that some change was needed. Petco will still be a pitchers' park; however, it will no longer be the outlier."

Stauffer wasn't surprised to hear about the changes.

"It's more for the fans and scores, and it will be fair to both sides," he said. "If it's going to get more fans to the game, I'm all for it. Obviously as a pitcher you don't want to give up cheapies, but I don't think that will be the case."

"It's pretty well understood that a couple areas that played beyond deep were very unfair for hitters," Stauffer said. "Overall, it's not a bad idea. The faces hitters made when they rounded first and saw a ball get caught after crushing it were pretty entertaining. Or when they'd flip their bat and then see that it doesn't even get to the warning track, especially early in the season at night. Obviously we like having it big, but we want guys playing there every day to have confidence that if they hit it good, it goes."

The damp night air early in the season also affects fly balls.

General manager Josh Byrnes said moving in the fences is just one factor for a team that was fourth in the NL West at 76-86, 18 games behind San Francisco.

"Hopefully, like a lot of parks it's a little more fair, and we're just going to have to have a good team on the field to win," Byrnes said.

here's some pics
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/thomp538/Fences%202012-2013/IMG_0080.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/thomp538/Fences%202012-2013/IMG_0068-1.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/thomp538/Fences%202012-2013/IMG_0065.jpg

new pic
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/A_pa_6FCQAA7LP-.jpg:large

gallery
http://www.utsandiego.com/photos/galleries/2013/jan/08/petco-park-construction/

ECIRTREB76, thanks for posting!

I was looking at that right field corner..tsk, tsk.. does not look like they are going to correct that aberration. I wish they would.

ECIRTREB76, thanks for posting!

I was looking at that right field corner..tsk, tsk.. does not look like they are going to correct that aberration. I wish they would.

That's called "the petco porch". It really hasn't provided many cheap home runs. With the "extreme pitcher's park" reputation, I think that's one of the reasons for the renovation.

new grass:banana:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BEyq-03CYAAuuNs.jpg

I never realized how many obscured view seats there were here.

or obstructed

Petco Park New dimensions.

http://www.utsandiego.com/video/play/53798/

http://media.utsandiego.com/img/photos/2013/03/29/fenceint6_1.jpghttp://media.utsandiego.com/img/photos/2013/03/29/fenceint7.jpg

http://media.utsandiego.com/img/photos/2013/03/29/fenceint6_1.jpg
finally

One more..

http://www.utsandiego.com/interactives/fence/

http://i.imgur.com/yhTC52w.png (http://imgur.com/yhTC52w)