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Apr 17, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) hits a home run against the San Diego Padres in the eighth inning at SunTrust Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Just Wait Until Summer

Think that SunTrust Park is giving up a bunch of homers here in the Spring? Dan did, and told us about that a couple of days ago.

You may have seen nothing yet.

Here’s the factors that could add up to a bombs-away Summer:

More from Tomahawk Take

ALTITUDE. Roughly 900 ft above sea level. Doesn’t sound like a lot, but most current MLB stadiums are under 100 feet above sea level. The only higher parts are in Phoenix (1,082 ft) and Denver (5,183 ft).

Air density at 50 feet (with 70°F and 70% humidity) is 0.0739 lbm/cubic ft.
At 900 ft, it’s 0.716 (4% less dense)
At 90°F and 80% humidity? 0.0685. That’s 7% less dense.
Less dense air means the ball will fly further. More heat and more humidity will contribute to that. And it’s not called ‘Hotlanta’ because of the Interstate conditions.

WIND. If home plate is the “12” on a clock, the center field wall is roughly at the “5” on that clock… facing just ESE.

The prevailing winds in the area will normally come out of the West to Northwest… in other words, straight out to left field.
Only on some of the hottest days will the wind be coming out of the South… but even then the air density should serve to mitigate the breeze… as will the entire Comcast building.

Next: A Chat With Two Young Guns

Yes, this ballpark could be crazy favorable for hitters. And that’s not even counting the favorable foul territory space (or lack thereof).

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