325' Fence 8' Left Field Fence 19' Ground rules Jacobs Field Recent ballparks have reversed the general historical trend to ever-larger seating capacities, and Jacobs Field goes further in that direction than any park in Jacobs Field was named after Richard Jacobs, the team's owner from December 1986 to November 1999. This project, along with the opening of the roughly contemporary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on the city's waterfront, is said to have led a reversal of downtown decline. Although The Jake's angular geometry is neo-traditional, its architectural expression is not nostalgic. Batted ball hitting foul pole or attached screen is a fair ball. Ball rebounding into playing field is in play.
Ball passing through or under outfield fence is a ground rule double.
Fair batted ball bouncing over outfield wall is a ground rule double. Translucent strips within its grandstand roof are another modern touch. The stadium's general layout is similar to Camden Yards, except that the low seating sections are in left field rather than right, to permit a downtown skyline view. In 1997, the large scoreboard above the left field seats was dented by an electrifying home run by Mark McGwire of the Oakland A's. Despite McGwire's exceptional blast, Jacobs Field is a pitcher's park.