BOSTON, Oct. 19 (UPI) -- The Boston Red Sox say they want to widen the bullpens in Fenway Park, a move that would require altering the dimensions of the historic ballpark.
The team revealed a series of improvements Tuesday to Fenway, including the installation of new high-definition video displays. But attention centered on the bullpen proposal, which would shorten the home run distance to right from 380 feet to about 371 feet, the Boston Herald reported.
Red Sox President Larry Lucchino told the newspaper the move is being made to give pitchers more room to warm up in the cramped bullpens, which were installed in 1940.
"Our bullpens are old and substandard compared to the new state-of-the art bullpens," Lucchino said. "There are issues about bullpen safety."
He downplayed the impact the move could have on home run statistics.
The Herald said the change must be approved by Boston Landmarks Commission, which has put the item on the agenda for its Oct. 26 meeting.
