Astros break ground on renovations to remove Tal's Hill

HOUSTON (AP) The Houston Astros began work on renovations to center field at Minute Maid Park on Monday that will remove Tal's Hill and add field level seating.

The renovations were supposed to be done last offseason but were postponed. The project, which will eliminate the hill and bring in the center field fence from 436 to 409 feet, will be completed by opening day in 2017.

The change will make Houston's ballpark have the sixth-deepest center field after the old configuration made it the deepest in the majors.

The renovations will also add three bars and four new concession stands as well as the only field-level seating in the ballpark.