Houston Astros Replace Tal’s Hill with Concessions Area
By David Hill
Tal’s Hill was one of the more interesting quirks in a ballpark in the Majors. Now that it has been removed, the Houston Astros are replacing it with Torchy’s Tacos and Shake Shack as part of a new center field concessions area.
There had been a time when every ballpark pretty much looked the same. During the 1970’s and 1980’s, new ballparks were essentially cookie cutter, concrete bowls designed as a multi-purpose stadium. Unless a ballpark had been around for decades, like Wrigley Field or Yankee Stadium, there was really little to distinguish one park from another.
Fortunately, that went away with the retro ballpark. From the time Camden Yards opened its doors, baseball had a different feel. Ballparks were different once again, with little features that were all their own. For the Houston Astros, Tal’s Hill in center field was one of those fun little quirks in their ballpark, Minute Maid Park.
The hill, located after the warning track in the Juice Box, was a distinctive feature that happened to be in play. It led to some interesting plays in center, as outfielders would suddenly find themselves running uphill to track down a fly ball. Not only that, but a giant flag pole was in play, right in front of the wall. However, Tal’s Hill has been removed, and is being replaced with a concourse featuring Torchy’s Tacos and Shake Shack.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
Those are not the only changes due to the new concourse. The field dimensions have changed, with the center field fence set to be 409 feet away from home plate. Seating options in center, and their availability, have improved. Other food and beverage options, and additional escalators and elevators, will lead to a more fan friendly experience.
While this may be the right move for the Astros, it takes away one of the more distinctive features in baseball. Tal’s Hill, no matter what anyone thought of it, was easily recognizable, a different wrinkle that did not exist in any other stadium. And, by having it in center, any long fly ball to that part of the park was an adventure.
Removing the hill also adds a layer of safety. Watching an outfielder sprinting towards deep center, and possibly losing his footing at the change in surface, made it a potential hazard. Given that one false step could lead to a major injury, removing Tal’s Hill was even more understandable.
Next: Kang arrested for DUI in Korea
The Houston Astros removed one of the more distinctive features in any ballpark in Tal’s Hill. While we will miss that unique feature, it was the right thing to do.