Giants, A’s asked to add protective ballpark netting
NASHVILLE — Major League Baseball has recommended all 30 teams to better protect their fans with more netting in the ballparks, and the Giants and A’s provided initial reactions.
Staci Slaughter, the Giants’ executive VP of communications, said, We just received the guidelines from MLB and will be reviewing them to determine the best plan to implement them at AT&T Park in time for the upcoming season.
Several incidents of fan injuries caused by foul balls and bats flying into the stands prompted MLB to study the issue.
The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball has issued recommendations to all 30 Major League Clubs aimed at enhancing the safety of fans attending Major League Baseball games, while also preserving the interactive elements that are integral to the baseball fan experience.
Clubs are encouraged to implement or maintain netting (or another effective protective screen or barrier of their choosing) that shields from line-drive foul balls all field-level seats that are located between the near ends of both dugouts (i.e., the ends of the dugouts located closest to home plate, inclusive of any adjacent camera wells) and within 70 feet of home plate.
The Commissioner’s Office has retained a consultant specializing in stadium architecture and protective netting to assist interested Clubs in implementing this recommendation.
The Commissioner’s Office will be working with the Clubs and online ticketing sellers to identify ways to provide customers with additional information at the point of sale about which seats are (and are not) behind netting.
Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. said: Major League Baseball prides itself on providing fans in our ballparks with unparalleled proximity and access to our players and the game taking place on the field.