Baseball Aerodynamics & Division Context
In baseball physics, ballpark geometry and altitude dictate batted ball exit-velocity carry and wall-clearing frequency. When eastern division teams catch fire at the plate (“It is the east, and homers are the sun”), short fences in right and left field amplify power surges.
Short Porch Advantage
Every foot trimmed off LF or RF fence lines increases wall-clearing probability by approximately 0.4% to 0.5% for high fly balls hit above 28° launch angles.
Air Density & Altitude
Lower air density reduces drag coefficient. At 5,000+ ft (e.g. Denver), batted balls travel roughly 5% further than at sea-level parks like New York or Baltimore.
Eastern Division Clashes
AL and NL East divisions historically pace the league in extra-base hits due to a combination of compact historic ballparks and deep power lineups.