Tarik Skubal applauds the removal of keyhole at Comerica Park

In Detroit, on April 10, 2025, the Detroit Tigers completed their first homestand of the season with a notable change to the field at Comerica Park. The team covered a strip of dirt, known as the keyhole, with grass, a modification that aligns the field's sightlines with those found in other Major League Baseball parks. Tarik Skubal, the team's pitcher and a notable player who has received the AL Cy Young and Triple Crown awards, voiced his approval for the change, indicating that he always felt the keyhole disrupted the visual perspective from the mound. He noted that the keyhole's removal makes the pitching experience feel cleaner and more streamlined, which players appreciate. The keyhole has long been criticized, particularly by pitchers, because it deviated from the standard design seen elsewhere in the league. The Tigers were the last major league team to retain this historical feature, which harks back to baseball's early days in the 1800s and 1900s. Skubal’s comments came before a game against the New York Yankees, during which he asserted that while the feature may hold sentimental value for some fans, it did not contribute positively to the gameplay from a pitcher’s perspective. Furthermore, the Tigers completed renovations behind home plate, eliminating a tunnel previously used mostly by umpires. This renovation included the installation of modern seating that offers heating and cooling options for fans. Not every player shared Skubal’s enthusiasm, though; other team members, including pitchers Tyler Holton and relief pitcher Will Vest, showed indifference to the change, suggesting that for them, it would not significantly affect their focus or gameplay experience. In fact, Holton mentioned that a pitcher should primarily focus on the target, irrespective of alterations to the field's configuration. Even outfielder Riley Greene was unaware that the keyhole had been removed, indicating a general lack of concern among several players about this aspect of the field. This reflects the varying perspectives within the team regarding field conditions versus gameplay effectiveness. Overall, while Skubal welcomed the alteration at Comerica Park, it highlights a broader dialogue among players about the balance between historical features and modern gameplay standards.