Houston Astros to keep Tal’s Hill in 2016

The Houston Astros have temporarily postponed plans to renovate the center field area at Minute Maid Park that would have removed the famed Tal’s Hill. Back in June, initial plans were approved for the renovation. However, the team decided to suspend the plans for at least another year as the offseason renovation would have run the risk of not being completed by Opening Day 2016, Astros President of Business Operations Reid Ryan said in a press release Thursday.

An international cricket match to be held at Minute Maid Park also conflicted with the renovation schedule, as did the team’s run through the 2015 postseason.

The Astros organization remains adamant that the renovation will take place at some point in the near future and consider it a “significant opportunity” in the long-term.

With its current configuration, Minute Maid Park has the deepest center field in the majors at 436 feet and the renovation would shorten it to 409 feet.

In the press release, it was stated that the Astros “remain committed to our fans and the experience at Minute Maid Park.”