Padres Announces Changes to Outfield Dimensions At Petco Park

July 19, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; Baseball fan Kurt Rauschenberg (white shirt center) catches a ball that goes over the outfield wall during batting practice before a game between the Houston Astros and San Diego Padres at PETCO Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE

The ageless debate of whether or not to move in the outfield fence at Petco Park has officially been laid to rest.

The San Diego Padres announced today in a press release that the team will move in portions of the outfield fence at Petco Park for the 2013 season.

According to the press release, the changes will affect right, right center and left center field. A plan to relocate the visitor’s bullpen off the field for player safety purposes is also in the works.

Padres Executive Chairman Ron Fowler said the changes in the outfield where much needed, yet it would still make Petco park a pitcher’s park.

"“Our goal is to move Petco Park away from being the most extreme run suppressing ballpark in Major League Baseball,” Fowler said.  “After an extensive study, it became clear to all of us that some change was needed.  Petco will still be a pitcher’s park; however, it will no longer be the outlier.”"

The modifications will include:

•  Changes to the right field porch and the right center gap will be moved in 11 feet, and lowered to match the sub-eight foot height in left field and center field.

•  The out-of-town scoreboard that is currently along the right field wall will be relocated to a new spot above right field as part of seating modifications that will be announced at a later date.

•  The deepest part of the park in left center field the fence will be moved in from 402 feet to 390 feet.  The modification will alter the setup of the home bullpen and will allow for the visitor’s bullpen to be relocated to the area behind the home bullpen, according to the press release.

Major League Baseball and Mayor Jerry Sanders’ office have been informed of the modifications to Petco Park.

Plans and construction is set to begin this week.