Contrary to popular belief, the best way to get from Point A to Point B is not, in fact, a straight line.

The best way is to shorten the distance between the two points whenever possible. Which it is in this case, where Point A is home plate and Point B is the outfield seats.

In other words, move the fences in.

With pitching on the rise and offense on the decline over the past few seasons, it's no surprise the Mariners and Padres decided to do just that this past offseason.

Of course, the Mariners and Padresalso have been two of the worst offenses in baseball in recent years. They need all the help they can get, even if it takes a little stadium nip here, a small ballpark tuck there.

Bringing in the fences seems like a logical solution to the question, "How do we hit more home runs without getting better hitters?" but...does it work?

In the past decade, four teams have reconsidered the distances necessary to hit one out and deemed their fences were too far: the Tigers, Mets, Mariners and Padres.

For each club's ballpark, we'll...

Let's take these one by one.

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Exposing the Impact of Shortened Fences on MLB Home Run Totals

Phoenix "Fences" Live from The House of Blues - Orlando May 2013
Phoenix performing the classic "Fences" from the HOB - Orlando on May 8, 2013. Sorry for the audio....will try to fix here today....

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Equitation over fences 5-11-2013
Lauren Rae.

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Equitation over fences 5-11-2013 - Video

Flower Fences

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Flower Fences - Video

Dead Island Riptide w/ Xcal Part 1 - Throwin #39; Fences with Sam B and Logan
Rate the video or I #39;ll fucking kill an old lady. Xcal #39;s channel: http://youtube.com/xcalizorz My Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/RealBlameTruth My facebook: h...

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SA, Zambia mend fences after Scott's 'bluster'

ARTHUR SIMUCHOBA Correspondent

"South Africa has taken note of the negative remarks on South Africa attributed to Guy Scott, the Vice President of the Republic of Zambia. In view of this development, the South African government has decided to take the matter up through the appropriate diplomatic channels. Accordingly, we shall be summoning the High Commissioner of Zambia to South Africa to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation to seek an explanation behind the remarks and what it means in the context of our bilateral relations."

Zambia scrambled to limit the damage. Information Minister Kennedy Sakeni said the remarks were made in a personal capacity and did not in any way reflect the Zambian government's position. He said the government had no reason to demonise South Africa, as the two countries shared cordial relations that dated back to the struggle against apartheid. "Government has no reason to demonise South Africa. We also wouldn't want anyone to demonise us, so this is just something that happened and will be sorted out diplomatically," he said adding that Scott was on leave at the time he gave the interview. When summoned, Zambian High Commissioner Muyeba Chikonde assured Pretoria that relations continue to be close despite the reported remarks. Chikonde met with the Deputy Director General for Africa Ebrahim Salei and said that Scott was on leave and it was hard to ascertain whether he actually made the remarks. In Lusaka, calls for Scott's resignation came thick and fast while his remarks were mainly characterised as a mere "rant". (SPA)

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SA, Zambia mend fences after Scott's 'bluster'

Phylicia Rashad Will Direct Fences and Emily Mann Will Direct Proof for McCarter Theatre's 2013-14 Season

By Andrew Gans 15 May 2013

McCarter Theatre artistic director Emily Mann has announced the five theatre productions that will comprise McCarter's 2013-14 season.

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The upcoming season at the New Jersey venue will include two Pulitzer Prize-winning plays, an adaptation of an ancient Chinese legend, and translations of two works by the 18th-century French playwright Pierre Beaumarchais.

The centerpiece of the season will be The Figaro Plays: The Barber of Seville and The Marriage of Figaro by Beaumarchais. Directed and adapted by Stephen Wadsworth, McCarter will produce these plays together in spring 2014 in a repertory schedule that will include opportunities to see both plays in one day.

At the core of our Theater Series is a culture of storytelling. Stories have the power to make us laugh, challenge us, break down barriers, and unite us as a community. Thats what theater is all about, said Mann in a statement. Its where a community comes together to share an event.

The 2013-14 season at a glance follows:

Proof By David Auburn Directed by Emily Mann Sept. 6-Oct. 6 "Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, David Auburns Proof is an elegant and engaging story of passion, genius, and family bonds. Catherine has inherited her late fathers mathematical brilliance, but does she also share his madness? When one of his graduate students discovers a groundbreaking proof among the professors notebooks, Catherine must face the legacy her father has left behind."

The White Snake Written and directed by Mary Zimmerman Based on the classic Chinese fable Oct. 15-Nov. 3 "Its an ancient Chinese storygirl meets boy and falls head over heels. The only problem is that the girl is a white serpent from the spirit world, and to win her loves heart she must come down from the mountain and take human form."

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Phylicia Rashad Will Direct Fences and Emily Mann Will Direct Proof for McCarter Theatre's 2013-14 Season

Jumping Fences Blacks VS Whites
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Jumping Fences Blacks VS Whites - Video

PHOENIX - A Valley company is taking action to prevent drownings. Fulton Homes is giving away 15 free pool fences to families in need to insure water and pool safety for kids.

Drowning related deaths are one of the leading causes in children across the country; making proper fencing pivotal.

In order to insure kids dont go over, under or through your pool fence, there are a number of things to watch out for when installing a pool fence.

Pool Barrier Tips:

Arizona has a pool fence law stating all residential pools must be enclosed by a barrier.

For more information on how to nominate a deserving family to receive a free pool fence, you can go to call (602) 452-1000 or go to http://www.fultonhomes.com and click on the "Fulton Foundation" link.

Copyright 2013 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Valley company gives FREE pool fences

Julia Mazzarella - Individual Open Eq. Over Fences
1st Place @ 2013 IHSA Nationals! Skidmore College Equestrian Team.

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