Houston Astros: The Best Places to Catch a Homerun

Houston Astros fans opening day is nearly upon us! Unfortunately, we have to wait until April 2nd for the team to come home. The Astros are sure to blast quite a few homers this year. Take a look below to figure out your best shot to catch one!

The Houston Astros have a confusing ball park. The Juice Box, on the surface, appears to be a hitters park. The ‘Crawford Boxes’ line the left field fence and sit only 315 feet away from home plate. Down the right field line is a shorter fence only 326 feet away from home plate.

However, stats show Minute Maid Park actually favors pitchers. A sharp, hard corner after the Crawford Boxes shoots the fence back to create a large outfield. Left-center sits 362 feet away from home plate, center field sits 409 feet away, and right-center, 373 feet.

All in all, the Houston Astros and their opponents launched 212 home runs at Minute Maid in 2017. In 2016, they launched 171 homers. Out of those home runs, 142 and 114 were catachable, respectively.

Unfortunately, due to the limited seating in left field, a lot of homers bounce back onto the field. However, the train and hearing that horn blast more than make up for it.

LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 01: George Springer /

So that begs the question… Where should I sit to catch a home run?!

Historically, the obvious answer would be the Crawford Boxes. Sections 100-103 produce a TON of home runs. The short porch allows simple pop ups to turn into RBI machines. 64 homers deposited themselves into these sections. Unfortunately, there aren’t too many of these seats to go around. Crawford Box tickets for the home opener are running from $263 to $520. So yes, this is your best shot, but you’ll have to shell out some cash to get this opportunity.

While the Crawford Boxes may offer the best shot collectively, they were not the best section to sit in 2017. Straight down the right field line, section 152 offered it’s patrons 24 homers last year. The rest of the lower deck in right field (sections 153-156) contributed 37 home runs to the total. The right field sections offer more affordable seats for the home opener ranging from $169 – $416.

The only other sections that gave fans home runs were 252, 253, and 254. These second deck seats in right field received 6 homers in 2017. While your odds of catching a home run in these sections are smaller, they’re sure to be more sweet because these bombs are sure to be some of the biggest of the season. Tickets in these sections go from $171 to $253.

HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 27: Fans look on during batting practice before game three of the 2017 World Series between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Minute Maid Park on October 27, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

The Cheaper Option

I got a secret for you…there is a cheaper option to catch a homer.

You could buy a nose bleed ticket for around $20, arrive extremely early, and post up at home run alley. Standing at the left field boundaries near the Conoco Phillips pump offers the opportunity to catch homers. Some shots occasionally slip into these balconies and bounce around if they’re not caught.

You could also attend batting practice to catch a ball, though it won’t be an in game homer, but, who cares? In a couple months no one will know the difference!

LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 31: The Houston Astros dugout looks on during game six of the 2017 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images) /

Other ways to get a game ball

It seems most games have at least a couple occasions where players toss a ball into the stands

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behind the dugout. Sitting close to the dugout may afford you the opportunity to receive a ball directly from your favorite player. The same situation could happen on a fly ball or pop up near a field boundary. Players will sometimes toss the final out of the inning into a nearby section. To have this opportunity, you’ll be out at least $300, probably more.

Theoretically, a foul ball could be had nearly anywhere in the park. However, some sections give you a better opportunity than others. The highest percentage of foul balls land on the right side of Minute Maid. Particularly, sections 124-132 have the highest percentages, 131 and 132 seem to be the best. The 3rd base side also has a decent amount of foul balls with sections 112-114 being the best options.

Second deck behind home plate are also good options. Balls going straight back can be hard to judge, but the best sections tend to be 215-224.

Next: Top 10 Astros Games of All Time

Granted, the odds of catching a game ball anywhere in the park are low. However, sitting in the Crawford Boxes or section 152 give you the best shot of snagging a home run ball. Foul balls may give you a better chance, but they’re less fun to brag about. Good luck, and may the odds be in your favor!

GO ‘STROS!

**All ticket prices found via vividseats.com.

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