Weather forecast for this weekend

[Depot Stove]

 link

Looks like we are going to have near-perfect weather in Houston this weekend. I am going to be pissed if they keep the roof closed.

[NeilT]

No, you will not be.  The roof should be closed for the noise.  To heck with great weather, close the roof to keep the fans in the game.

[CJM]

I would expect it to be closed for the better part of each game.  They like the fact that it is much louder when closed, I would be shocked if it was opened before the 6th inning.

[astro pete]

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I would expect it to be closed for the better part of each game.  They like the fact that it is much louder when closed, I would be shocked if it was opened before the 6th inning.

I would be shocked if they opened it before 2006.  It's loud when it's shut, the players like it shut, just shut the fucking roof.  You can go on a picnic after the game.

[UpTooLate]

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I would expect it to be closed for the better part of each game.  They like the fact that it is much louder when closed, I would be shocked if it was opened before the 6th inning.

I would be shocked if they opened it before 2006.  It's loud when it's shut, the players like it shut, just shut the fucking roof.  You can go on a picnic after the game.

Totally agree.  Who is the final decision maker as to whether it is opened or closed at the start of the game?  I'm fairly certain that once they open it during the game, it must remain open.  This topic has probably been covered before, but I don't remember.

[EasTexAstro]

Maybe I am just making this up as I go, but wasn't there some sort of thing about the scoring being lower (by both team) when the roof is closed? Or maybe it was just fewer HRs?

I don't remember the theory behind it.

Just wondering how that would play into the Astros game, if true.

[homer]

Hell no, leave it closed:

"With the roof open for the second straight evening, Lance Berkman said he noticed Lidge going to the rosin bag behind the mound more often Friday night.

?It looked to me like he was having trouble holding onto the ball,? Berkman said."

The Link

[Waldo]

I think the rule is that the team is only allowed to open or close the roof once during the game, except for inclement weather.  I believe the team is also restricted on when it can open the roof (later innings).

[EasTexAstro]

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I think the rule is that the team is only allowed to open or close the roof once during the game, except for inclement weather.  I believe the team is also restricted on when it can open the roof (later innings).

I wasn't suggesting opening it an an opportune time during the game. I was wondering if they would be better off leaving it closed if scoring, or HR, are less likely with it closed.

If the warm, humid air lets the ball carry more, or the air currents change when the roof is closed, causing the ball flight to be depressed, would it help them keep a close game....close?

[Tralfaz]

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Who is the final decision maker as to whether it is opened or closed at the start of the game?

When starting, first name, Roger.

[hostros7]

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I think the rule is that the team is only allowed to open or close the roof once during the game, except for inclement weather.  I believe the team is also restricted on when it can open the roof (later innings).

I wasn't suggesting opening it an an opportune time during the game. I was wondering if they would be better off leaving it closed if scoring, or HR, are less likely with it closed.

If the warm, humid air lets the ball carry more, or the air currents change when the roof is closed, causing the ball flight to be depressed, would it help them keep a close game....close?

I am no scientist, but I would imagine humid air impedes the flight of the ball, since it is more dense.  Thus, the description of the coors field air at high altitudes being "thin" and said "thin" air being conducive to home runs.

I don't know how the open air being more HR friendly got started, but I think I recall ensberg bitching about it at some point last year.  Late in the game he hit a deep fly ball and claimed it would have been gone if they had left the roof closed.

Moberg probably knows better than I because he takes BP under both conditions, but rarely will simply air conditions (besides wind) be responsible for whether a ball is a HR or not.

[EasTexAstro]

 

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Temperature: When air warms, it expands. This warming and expansion lowers the density of the air. This produces longer flight distances, all else being basically equal.

Humidity: At the same temperature, air with a higher dewpoint will be less dense. Click here for an explanation of why this is. At a higher humidity, baseballs will travel a little further, all else being equal.

 link.

Maybe there is something to it.

[hostros7]

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Temperature: When air warms, it expands. This warming and expansion lowers the density of the air. This produces longer flight distances, all else being basically equal.

Humidity: At the same temperature, air with a higher dewpoint will be less dense. Click here for an explanation of why this is. At a higher humidity, baseballs will travel a little further, all else being equal.

 link.

Maybe there is something to it.

interesting.  I stand corrected.  Thanks

[Limey]

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Totally agree.  Who is the final decision maker as to whether it is opened or closed at the start of the game?  I'm fairly certain that once they open it during the game, it must remain open.  This topic has probably been covered before, but I don't remember.

You are correct on all counts:

1)  Keep the thing closed.
2)  Astros choose whether it's open or closed at game time.
3)  Only allowed to move it once by choice during the game, and only after the end of an inning.*
4)  Notwithstanding (3), it can be closed at any time for inclement weather.

* This is a huge advantage given to the Astros by MLB, in that the top of the inning will occur with the roof not yet open, but the Astros will come up in the bottom half with the jet stream to left blowing at full force.  We get an inning more of potential wind-blown dingers than the visitors.

[Limey]

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interesting.  I stand corrected.  Thanks

This was much debated when the BUS nee EFUS nee AFUS nee MMPUS first opened.  The easy thing to do is just ignore all the physics-babble, and remember how dead the ball was in the cool, dry, climate-controlled air of the 'Dome.  Then thing of the Ballpark at Arlington, and how it flies out of there (although Chan Ho Park also has something to do with that).

[HudsonHawk]

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I am no scientist, but I would imagine humid air impedes the flight of the ball, since it is more dense.

Humid air is less dense than dry air.  The ball travels farther in warm humid air than it does in cold dry air.

[JimR]

the roof should NOT be open. so sit outside under a tree if you want breeze.

[Limey]

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Humid air is less dense than dry air.  The ball travels farther in warm humid air than it does in cold dry air.

Hot air rises to the top.  This also explains the success of ESPN.