Stadium seeing an unusual surge of power

Lake Olmstead Stadium has long held a reputation as a poor ballpark for hitters.

San Francisco Giants prospect Thomas Neal , who played in Augusta last season, called the stadium "the place where home runs die."

Augusta has seen an average of 50 home runs hit each 70-game season since 2005. But something has changed this year.

With 55 homers already in the bag, Lake Olmstead Stadium is on pace to surrender 80 homers in 2009.

Players and coaches have noticed the change. First baseman Josh Mazzola , who leads the team with 11 home runs this year, said he was warned of Augusta's unfriendly confines, which include a high wall to the deepest part of center field.

"When I came here I heard everyone saying it's really bad here," Mazzola said. "So far, it's not that bad. Actually, it's been pretty favorable."

Hitting coach Lipso Nava , in his third season in Augusta, said he's noticed balls carrying further this year, especially in batting practice. He credited better swings from his offense, but home runs from visiting teams at Lake Olmstead Stadium also have increased.

GreenJackets general manager Nick Brown said the field's dimensions were built to match the dimensions of the old Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh -- Augusta's team started out as a Pirates affiliate in 1988 -- and those measurements, 400 feet to center field and 330 to the foul poles, haven't changed.

Brown agreed with some fans' and players' opinions that a change in the weather, possibly lower humidity this summer, might be affecting the flight of the ball off the bat.

Chris Liscinsky , a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said he's not aware of any abnormal weather phenomenon in the Augusta area that might contribute to more home runs.

MOVING UP : Right-handed reliever Shane Kaufman was sent to the Double-A Connecticut Defenders on Monday. The 23-year-old San Diego State product posted a 2-1 record and 4.89 earned run average in 26 appearances out of the bullpen for Augusta this summer.

COMING BACK : The GreenJackets made no announcement as to who will take Kaufman's spot on the roster, but injured pitcher Andrew Reichard is getting closer to a comeback.

The right-hander from Georgia College & State has missed almost two months since being placed on the disabled list in June with a right groin strain. But he threw a simulated game Saturday and was scheduled for a live session Monday before rain washed out pregame warm ups.

BRAVE VISIT : The GreenJackets are in the middle of a road trip, but when they return to Augusta this weekend, they'll bring former Atlanta Brave Ryan Klesko with them.

A statement released by the GreenJackets said Klesko will make his appearance at Friday's home game, with a portion of ticket sales going to support the Family Y. Klesko will sign autographs before the game, throw out the ceremonial first pitch and contribute to a silent auction that will feature autographed memorabilia from Rollie Fingers, Carlton Fisk, Al Kaline, Bob Feller, Pete Rose, Cal Ripken Jr., Brooks Robinson, Harmon Killebrew and Jim Palmer .

GOOD TO BE BAD : The GreenJackets entered this week's play in the middle of a rotten slump and in the best position they've been in all season.

The GreenJackets lost four of their first five games on the current road trip, but their slump has been matched by the South Atlantic League Southern Division leader Asheville Tourists. Despite the losing streak, the GreenJackets remained only a half-game out of first place entering Monday's play.

Reach Billy Byler at (706) 823-3216 or billy.byler@augustachronicle.com.