The Houston Astros are finally removing hill and flagpoles in center field
By JOHN DORN
Since 2000, the Houston Astros have had a nifty little stadium in Minute Maid Park. But since its inception, that nifty stadium has been tainted with one stupid flaw that nobody's ever understood: Tal's Hill.
You may be familiar with that ridiculous hill in center field, complete with in-play flagpoles that scream "safety precaution." There have been some cool catches atop the hill, but all in all, it's never made sense.
15 years later though, the time has finally come. Tal's Hill will be no more after this season.
According to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com:
The Astros have received preliminary approval from the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority their plans for a $15-million renovation to Minute Maid Park that would include the removal Tal's Hill in center field and moving the flag poles so they're no longer in play.
Astros owner Jim Crane thanked the Sports Authority for their support at a meeting Thursday morning and said the renovation project would begin as soon as the season ends and would be finished in time for the 2016 season. The renovations would include more fan-friendly areas in center field.
The 436-foot mark to dead center will finally be moved in, and Minute Maid can finally start to fully resemble a sane man's baseball field.
