It’s been a theme for 2000s-era parks to originally feature large pitcher-friendly outfields, only to move the fences in shortly thereafter. Such was the case at loanDepot Park, which joined
Comerica Park,
Citi Field, and
Petco Park in responding to an initial scarcity of home runs by shortening the original design. Dubbed the “Bermuda Triangle” after Marlins Park opened in 2012, the center field fence measured 418 feet from home plate, and the gap in right was one of the deepest in MLB. After ranking toward the bottom of the league in home runs during its first few seasons, the distance to center was reduced to 407 in 2016 and then further to 400 in 2020.
Despite the field shrinking, loanDepot Park can still be considered a pitchers park, but it’s not as clear-cut as it used to be. The outfield dimensions remain deeper than average at most points and Ballpark Pal rates it 18th for home runs. That pitcher advantage is offset by how receptive the large outfield is to doubles and triples (ranked 12th). As it stands today, the Miami venue ranks in the bottom third of MLB for runs.
LoanDepot park is a retractable roof stadium, but due to the heat, humidity, and frequent rain in Miami, the roof is only left open for about 14% of games. When it is open, temperatures are usually between 75 and 85 degrees and the architecture of the stadium prevents wind from having much effect. As a result, loanDepot Park has the lowest park variation in MLB (outside of
Tropicana Field).
