AboutTom Schott Expertise I will deal with the major leagues only from 19th century to present. I`m good on baseball history, records, statistics, ballparks. Try to stick to on-the-field stuff. I`m not interested in personal off-the-field stuff like spouses, girl friends, drug habits, salaries, mascots, etc. If you already know the answer to the question, please don't ask it. I don't want to play "stump the expert."
Experience I've written on the subject, and I have substantial library of resources.
Publications Numerous encyclopedia, newspaper, magazine articles. One book, several book chapters.
Question Why are the centerfield seats at Fenway Park sometimes blocked off and not sold?
Answer Hi Janice,
Good question. For quite a while now, the dead center field section of ballparks on straight line with the plate, the pitcher's rubber, and second base has been left free of spectators. Some years ago baseball decided that the white background caused by the crowd in dead center field obscured the vision of the hitters because the ball got lost in the background when it left the pitcher's hand. So it mandated that a portion of the center field section directly behind the pitcher be left free of spectators. If you will look at various teams on TV, you will see that this is true everywhere.
