With the 2015 season already well underway, the Houston Astros have announced plans for next year that involve renovating Minute Maid Park and removing Tal’s Hill from centerfield.
The Astros announced Thursday that the hill will be removed as part of the renovation project that is expected to cost upwards of $15 million and will be funded by the team. The project has gotten preliminary approval from the facility's landlord Harris County-Houston Sports Authority.
"The Astros are stepping up and putting the money up. It's in excess of $15 million," Astros owner Jim Crane said in an interview with FOX 26 and MLB.com. "So we've submitted the plan and they've given us the preliminary approval to do it. As we get plans completed, we would resubmit as we go along, and hope to start it right after the season closes and have it ready it for next year.”
The idea behind the major renovation and removal of Tal’s hill is for safety reasons and to enhance the spectator’s game-watching experience.
The centerfield wall is now 436 feet away from home plate and will moved closer to 409 feet away. Three new bars and four new food locations will also be added in the park as part of the new project.
Fans will even be able to monitor the progress of the rebuild from October through Opening Day on the team’s website.
Tal’s Hill is named after longtime baseball executive Talbot Smith and was put in place in 2000 when the stadium was first built.
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