The Colorado Rockies play in a unique ballpark.
This could go either way, but in recent seasons, it has worked against the team because it hasn’t been able to put together a consistently good pitching staff.
Still, the ballpark is not the reason why the Rockies are so dysfunctional as a franchise, because their hitters are benefited.
But there is no denying that playing in a high altitude environment has an impact on the game and some of its circumstances.
Coors Field, the Rockies’ stadium, has a deserved reputation as the most hitter-friendly ballpark in the game.
This has been the case for years.
The explanation is simple: because of the high altitude, baseballs fly farther, and pitches break less.
This, of course, results in increased offensive numbers from many players, both from the Rockies and from visiting teams.
Let’s take a look at how high Coors Field is in comparison to other ballparks.
Elevation (above sea level) of the 30 MLB fields, mostly to scale pic.twitter.com/CPslv1Uxb2
— Jay Cuda (@JayCuda) January 19, 2023
It is at 5,200 feet above sea level, and the next-highest stadium, which belongs to the Arizona Diamondbacks, is at 1,100.
Most stadiums are at sea level.
These unique circumstances usually affect hitting and pitching staffs from the Rockies and visiting teams.
However, the Rockies’ pitching has been bad as usual but their hitters are not anything to write home about, either.
This is a front office and/or ownership problem that goes well beyond the home stadium.
Playing in Coors Field has been described by players as one of the weirdest experiences in their careers.
Some players built amazing careers, even with a strong Hall of Fame case, by virtue of playing half their games there.
NEXT: Rockies Acquire Pitching Prospect From The Red Sox