Accuweather: Seat Angle Could Be Causing Yanks' Wind Tunnel
Sports Business Reporter
Earlier today, we told you that the Yankees had not found anything conclusive from previous wind pattern studies at the new Yankee Stadium.
But thanks to the right field wind tunnel theory, given the preponderance of home runs, meteorologists are getting involved.
Accuweather.com meteorologists "estimate that the angle of the seating in the new stadium could have an effect on wind speed across the field," in an interpretive news release issued by the Web site Monday afternoon:
"The old Yankee Stadium had more stacked tiers and a large upper deck, acting like a solid wall in efffect, which would cause the wind to swirl more and be less concentrated. The new Yankee Stadium's tiers are less stacked, making a less sharp slope from the top of the stadium to the field. This shape could enable winds to blow across the field with less restriction. In addition, the slope of the seating would also lead to a 'downslope' effect in the field which, depending on the wind direction, would tend to cause air to lift up in the right field. Fly balls going into right field during a gusty west wind would be given more of a lift, thus carrying the ball further out to right field.
Accuweather.com says if it is the seat angle that's cause the issue, the only games that will be affected will be during times when "the winds are from a westerly direction and above 10 mph. This typically occurs during the spring and the middle to late fall." Therefore, according to Accuweather, the calmer weather in the summer will lead to fewer home runs.
Executives with Populous, formerly HOK Sport, the firm that designed the stadium are now referring all calls to the Yankees.
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