frantic friday in the sty...

From an American vantage point, the field has an extraordinary amount of foul territory because of the grounds' oval shape.

Seeing the field for the first time Tuesday, Dodgers first base coach Davey Lopes remarked that it reminded him of what Dodger Stadium was like when he was a player. He noted that an errant throw could result in a baserunner's taking two extra bases instead of one.

Of the contemporary stadiums, Mattingly compared it to the home field of the Oakland Athletics, which is also where the Oakland Raiders play football.

"It's a lot of ground down the lines and back toward the dugouts," Mattingly said. "You get some easy outs, some cheap outs."

To counter that effect, Cook placed the foul poles 328 feet from home plate. In most parks, that distance is about 335 feet.

"The pitchers get something, the hitters get something," Cook said. "Make it even."

The Dodgers noticed the ball traveled easily when they took batting practice Tuesday. Juan Uribewas transformed into Miguel Cabrera, launching balls into the second deck.

"It's good for offense, for sure," Mattingly said.