Quote:
Originally Posted by Tabe
Well, the question was "baseball" not "MLB", so I'm including non-MLB stadiums.
And, again, you're back to blaming fans who get hit. What about people who sneeze? What about people who have somebody stand up in front of them and block their view? Or have a kid who demands their attention? Is it REALLY realistic to demand 100% perfect attention to games for every single pitch of the game. Of course not. Is it REALLY reasonable to expect people who are in cramped seating to be able to somehow dodge an incoming missile traveling at 110 mph or more? of course not.
And, let's not pretend that this hasn't already been implemented, without issue, in other places. Japan has been doing pole-to-pole netting for 3 decades. Their ushers blow whistles and point to where balls are going.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyidtI-uNXw |
Those are good points, Minor league parks can be really small.
I don't follow Japanese baseball, so I wouldn't know about the whistles. Oddly, that would probably make me get hit. I'd be wondering why the usher was blowing a whistle and pointing at me. I'm also puzzled, if the ball is coming that fast how is there time for the ushers to whistle and point, but not for the spectator to duck?
I don't think it's possible to keep every spectator 100% safe, and that the spectator must bear at least a little responsibility for their own safety.
Pole to pole netting I think might be a bit too much, but Fenway (The one MLB place I know of where it's possible to be closer to the batter than the pitcher) Did extend the nets to the dugouts last year. Not a bad idea, as those seats while a bit farter than the pitcher are very close.
I've seen a few hits/close calls, and even been in a couple.
Pawtucket, Saw a broken bat get into the stands roughly at the far end of the visiting dugout. I was on the home side. Clear view, and Pawtucket has a wall that's a bit shorter than the current net height at Fenway. Totally a freak thing. It actually bounced along a railing for about 15 feet. Not going all that fat, everyone ducked or got their arms up.
The one foul ball I "caught" ...Here in Lowell, at about 250 from home plate. Top of the stands on the far end there's a concession with usually no line. Bought drinks, dogs, pretzels, all in a tray. Turn away after paying, and the batter hits a long foul. Guy in front of me tries for it, clips it a bit it hits my stomach and falls in the tray. Didn't hurt a bit, although it was slightly embarrassing finally getting a ball after a few decades made up for it
Close call a week later, sitting in a nearly obstructed view seat in Fenway. Not behind the pole, but sort of next to it. Reserved grandstand, WAY back, but not behind the screen, maybe row 30 counting the box seats, maybe more. Yankee game, one of them hits a foul right back at us. I stand up to catch it and realize I'm again holding the drinks tray, with probably $40 worth of drinks and food.
Had enough time to think that I didn't have a hand free, couldn't get free without dropping stuff, and that I wasn't sure if the ball would hit me or deflect into me off the post. Ducked at the last second and never figured out where the ball ended up. The guys behind us seemed fine, but they were Yankees fans, so I didn't ask.......
Steve B