One day after a young girl was struck by a foul ball at Yankee Stadium, players are calling on MLB to expand netting at all stadiums.
Currently, just five of 30 MLB stadiums have netting that cover sections closer to the dugouts, despite a 2015 safety recommendation to expand netting from dugout to dugout. Currently in the majority of MLB stadiums, the netting provides protection for field-level seats behind home plate, exposing fans who sit behind the dugouts.
Although a number of minor league stadiums have upgraded netting, the majority of MLB stadiums have not followed suit.
The young girl struck by a foul ball on Wednesday was sitting behind the third base dugout.
After Wednesday's incident, some players are left wondering, "What will it take" to expand netting.
"I don't care about the damn view of a fan or what,'' Twins second baseman Brian Dozier told reporters after the game. "It's all about safety. I still have a knot in my stomach."
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said on Thursday that the league would once again discuss expanding netting.
"The events at yesterday's game involving a young girl were extremely upsetting for everyone in our game," Manfred told ESPN's Bob Ley. "Over the past few seasons MLB has worked with our clubs to expand the amount of netting in our ballparks. In light of yesterday's event, we will redouble our efforts on this important issue."
One stadium that is planning to expand netting is Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati.
"The existing netting meets Major League Baseball’s recommended guidelines, and the new netting will go beyond the standards established by the Commissioner’s Office," the Reds said in a statement.
