But last year I started feeling it after a couple of weeks. Cinergy's new field should be softer on the shins, but it promises to be hard on earned-run averages. Outfielders are going to be forced to choose between playing back or watching balls bound over their heads. Line drives are going to gain legs, and bloop hits could become as terrifying as Barry Bonds. Any shot that lands safely is going to lead its author to think in terms of two bases.
More shots are likely to land safely as outfielders concede singles to contend with caroms.
And just wait until the weather gets warmer. That's when you'll be able to tell the difference. You can't let the ball bounce in front of you on new turf in the summertime because you don't know what it's going to do. It could cost you a couple of ballgames.'' It might also win you a couple of ballgames, if you go about it properly. Reds manager Ray Knight has always preferred aggressive baserunning to building for a big inning.