I follow the Mariners closely. It's like there's been a curse on their hitting for years now. They haven't developed a hitter from their farm system for many years. Then when they get traded, they develop and look great. many examples of this. Safeco Field is part of the problem. It's on the waterfront, and for about 3 months of the season there's a heavy marine air influence, and sometimes a wind that blows in. The dimensions are too long to the fences, and this year they finally brought them in a little. Young players, and veterans watch their deep drives die on the warning track. It changes the way batters hit; they either try too hard or they become slap hitters to get on. If they give up on Ackley, Smoak, Montero- they'll blossom somewhere else. There might also be a flaw in how they prepare hitters for each game, coaching or whatever. No one I've talked to sees what that could be. Seattle has hit better on the road and hit better in warmer weather. But if you look at this club now, even the veterans are hitting below their career averages.
