Bethesda, Md.: A friend and I were talking about this and we can't figure out if we're wrong, but it seems like most (maybe even all) Major League stadiums have their home dugout on the first base side while RFK's is on the third base side. Are we missing some other stadiums that have third base side home dugouts, or is there some reason why RFK is set up differently?
Dave Sheinin: I don't know for sure, but I suspect the positioning of the Nationals' home dugout has something to do with the proximity to their clubhouse -- the clubhouse connects to the dugout via a tunnel.
followed by...
dugout reply: There's no hard set rule for dugout placement. The Cubs are on the 3rd base side and I seem to remember the Indians are, too.
Dave Sheinin: That's correct. I think most teams choose the first base side because it is typically out of the direct sunlight. Stadiums are required to be angled in a certain direction to prevent batters from having to stare into the sun.
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I'm not sure I agree, since stadiums are supposed to open toward ENE and the sun certainly doesn't set in the southeast, but I suppose it depends on how the stadium is angled and where light can get through and all that if sunlight from the southwest can get into the dugout. I think the clubhouse/dugout arrangement makes more sense.
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Date: 2006-05-09 12:12 pm (UTC)Bethesda, Md.: A friend and I were talking about this and we can't figure out if we're wrong, but it seems like most (maybe even all) Major League stadiums have their home dugout on the first base side while RFK's is on the third base side. Are we missing some other stadiums that have third base side home dugouts, or is there some reason why RFK is set up differently?
Dave Sheinin: I don't know for sure, but I suspect the positioning of the Nationals' home dugout has something to do with the proximity to their clubhouse -- the clubhouse connects to the dugout via a tunnel.
followed by...
dugout reply: There's no hard set rule for dugout placement. The Cubs are on the 3rd base side and I seem to remember the Indians are, too.
Dave Sheinin: That's correct. I think most teams choose the first base side because it is typically out of the direct sunlight. Stadiums are required to be angled in a certain direction to prevent batters from having to stare into the sun.
...
I'm not sure I agree, since stadiums are supposed to open toward ENE and the sun certainly doesn't set in the southeast, but I suppose it depends on how the stadium is angled and where light can get through and all that if sunlight from the southwest can get into the dugout. I think the clubhouse/dugout arrangement makes more sense.