Why aren't we allowed to open the roof?

[gei]

Just noticed this on MLB's ground rules:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground_rul ... able_roofs

If the game starts with the roof closed Rogers Centre prohibits its opening during the game. All others ballparks with retractable roofs (4 others) permit opening during the game if weather conditions warrant, as long as procedure is followed.

Why can't we open our roof if we start with it closed? Today would seem like a good day to open the roof. And I'm quite certain that in the past we were able to because I can remember being at games when the roof started closed and they opened if mid-way.

[RapsFanInVA]

Terrorism.

[[]D [] [V] []D]

They are worried another piece of the roof might fall and this time on people/players if its moving while theres an audience.

[darth_federer]

I heard it costs them 15 000 to open/close the roof. Since the forecast calls for some showers tonight, why would they do it?

[nbrapsguy]

It's just a question of time.

All other ballparks are allowed to open them between innings, the RC dome takes 20 minutes to open It's just way too long so it stays closed.

[gei]

I think that $15,000 number is way off... I recall hearing it costs significantly less. Of course both of these numbers that we "heard" are completely meaningless without some actual facts.

And why is time an issue all of a sudden now? As I mentioned earlier, we were allowed to open it during the game in the past.

[nbrapsguy]

Probably because the Skydome was the first and only retractable dome roof for a while (Don't mention Olympic Stadium, that thing never worked).

Since then a lot of other retractable roof stadiums were added to the league so they added official rules.

Aside from that, who the heck knows...

[gei]

Not sure if you actually read my post... but yes they did add rules pertaining to retractable roof stadiums. And they specifically forbid ONLY the rogers centre from opening the roof during games.. while all the others are allowed to. So the question is why the rogers centre.

[Kaizen]

MLB hates Canada.

I would seriously like to know what the reason is though.

[LittleOzzy]

I was also under the impression that no dome could be opened after the start of a game.

I'm guessing the different rule for the Skydome is simply because it takes a long time to open. They can't start playing again until it's fully open, and no one wants to wait around that long.

[Modern_epic]

I was also under the impression that no dome could be opened after the start of a game.

I'm guessing the different rule for the Skydome is simply because it takes a long time to open. They can't start playing again until it's fully open, and no one wants to wait around that long.

I'm pretty sure I've been there when they've closed it while play is ongoing, so I have a hard time imagining this is the reason.

[J-Roc]

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/um ... s.jsp#ROOF

Guidelines for Movement of Retractable Roofs
The decision as to whether a game begins with the roof open or closed rests solely with the home club.
If the game begins with the roof open:
It shall be closed only in the event of impending rain or other adverse weather conditions. The decision to close the roof shall be made by the home club, after consultation with the Umpire Crew Chief.
The Umpire Crew Chief shall notify the visiting club, which may challenge the opening of the roof if it feels that a competitive imbalance will arise. In such an event, the Umpire Crew Chief shall make a final decision based on the merits of the challenge.
(Arizona, Houston, Seattle, Toronto): Once the roof is closed during a game, it shall not be reopened.
(Milwaukee Only): The roof may be re-opened by following the procedures for opening the roof as detailed below.
If the game begins with the roof closed:
(Toronto Only): It shall not be opened at any time during the game.
(Arizona, Houston, Milwaukee, Seattle): It may be opened when, in the opinion of the home club, the climatic environment has reached a level where fan comfort and enjoyment will be best served by opening the roof to the natural atmospheric conditions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following guidelines should be applied opening the roof during a game.
The roof may be opened only once during the game.
The Umpire Crew Chief will be notified at the commencement of the inning that the roof will be opened at the inning's conclusion.
The Umpire Crew Chief shall notify the visiting club, which may challenge the opening of the roof if it feels that a competitive imbalance will arise. In such an event, the Umpire Crew Chief shall make a final decision based on the merits of the challenge.
The opening of the roof shall only commence between innings.
(Arizona Only): The roof shall be opened in a pair of 2 minute, 15 second intervals; one interval at the conclusion of an inning and one interval at the conclusion of the next inning.

[LittleOzzy]

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/umpires/ground_rules.jsp#ROOF

Guidelines for Movement of Retractable Roofs
The decision as to whether a game begins with the roof open or closed rests solely with the home club.
If the game begins with the roof open:
It shall be closed only in the event of impending rain or other adverse weather conditions. The decision to close the roof shall be made by the home club, after consultation with the Umpire Crew Chief.
The Umpire Crew Chief shall notify the visiting club, which may challenge the opening of the roof if it feels that a competitive imbalance will arise. In such an event, the Umpire Crew Chief shall make a final decision based on the merits of the challenge.
(Arizona, Houston, Seattle, Toronto): Once the roof is closed during a game, it shall not be reopened.
(Milwaukee Only): The roof may be re-opened by following the procedures for opening the roof as detailed below.
If the game begins with the roof closed:
(Toronto Only): It shall not be opened at any time during the game.
(Arizona, Houston, Milwaukee, Seattle): It may be opened when, in the opinion of the home club, the climatic environment has reached a level where fan comfort and enjoyment will be best served by opening the roof to the natural atmospheric conditions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following guidelines should be applied opening the roof during a game.
The roof may be opened only once during the game.
The Umpire Crew Chief will be notified at the commencement of the inning that the roof will be opened at the inning's conclusion.
The Umpire Crew Chief shall notify the visiting club, which may challenge the opening of the roof if it feels that a competitive imbalance will arise. In such an event, the Umpire Crew Chief shall make a final decision based on the merits of the challenge.
The opening of the roof shall only commence between innings.
(Arizona Only): The roof shall be opened in a pair of 2 minute, 15 second intervals; one interval at the conclusion of an inning and one interval at the conclusion of the next inning.

We all got that, but why this rule just for Toronto?

(Toronto Only): It shall not be opened at any time during the game.

That is what everyone is wondering.

[darth_federer]

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/umpires/ground_rules.jsp#ROOF

Guidelines for Movement of Retractable Roofs
The decision as to whether a game begins with the roof open or closed rests solely with the home club.
If the game begins with the roof open:
It shall be closed only in the event of impending rain or other adverse weather conditions. The decision to close the roof shall be made by the home club, after consultation with the Umpire Crew Chief.
The Umpire Crew Chief shall notify the visiting club, which may challenge the opening of the roof if it feels that a competitive imbalance will arise. In such an event, the Umpire Crew Chief shall make a final decision based on the merits of the challenge.
(Arizona, Houston, Seattle, Toronto): Once the roof is closed during a game, it shall not be reopened.
(Milwaukee Only): The roof may be re-opened by following the procedures for opening the roof as detailed below.
If the game begins with the roof closed:
(Toronto Only): It shall not be opened at any time during the game.
(Arizona, Houston, Milwaukee, Seattle): It may be opened when, in the opinion of the home club, the climatic environment has reached a level where fan comfort and enjoyment will be best served by opening the roof to the natural atmospheric conditions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following guidelines should be applied opening the roof during a game.
The roof may be opened only once during the game.
The Umpire Crew Chief will be notified at the commencement of the inning that the roof will be opened at the inning's conclusion.
The Umpire Crew Chief shall notify the visiting club, which may challenge the opening of the roof if it feels that a competitive imbalance will arise. In such an event, the Umpire Crew Chief shall make a final decision based on the merits of the challenge.
The opening of the roof shall only commence between innings.
(Arizona Only): The roof shall be opened in a pair of 2 minute, 15 second intervals; one interval at the conclusion of an inning and one interval at the conclusion of the next inning.

We all got that, but why this rule just for Toronto?

(Toronto Only): It shall not be opened at any time during the game.

That is what everyone is wondering.

Its because they dont want Buck Martinez's hair flying away after a cool breeze

[nbrapsguy]

Not sure if you actually read my post... but yes they did add rules pertaining to retractable roof stadiums. And they specifically forbid ONLY the rogers centre from opening the roof during games.. while all the others are allowed to. So the question is why the rogers centre.

Maybe the other stadiums can open their roof FULLY between innings.

The skydome takes over 20 min to FULLY opened which is way too long for between innings.

[J-Roc]

http://www.ballparksofbaseball.com/algroundrules.htm

First thing I learned is that the regular season is technically referred to as the "Championship Season" in MLB (?)

Anyways, this site makes it sound like teams tell MLB by a certain date (May 1st?) what the team wants to do with their roof. So the Jays are making the decision to be the one team who won't open once closed. Maybe this way they don't have fans booing?

http://www.ballparksofbaseball.com/algroundrules.htm

[kiz5]

Its because of the 20 minutes it takes to open it. If a roof is being opened, it has to be done before the top of the inning begins, and they aren't willing to do the 20 minute delay between innings.

Also, no matter how hot it is, if the Jays make the playoffs whenever, the roof is never allowed to be opened for a playoff game either. Ever.