The optional expanded of netting at MLB ballparks across the country has largely been praised, yet some (including author Stephen King) have complained about the netting obstructing their views. However, it’s important to note that even expanded netting isn’t a panacea to spectators being injured by foul balls, as a fan at Friday night’s White Sox-Rays game was hit by a foul ball that went through a small gap in the netting.
No details were immediately available about the fan’s condition were available, but ESPN reports the game was delayed for 12 minutes while the fan was attended to and taken away on a stretcher.
Rays outfielder Steven Souza Jr, who hit the foul ball, went into the crowd to check on the fan and seemed shaken by the incident.
“It looked like it caught her right in the eye, which wasn’t a good sight,” Souza said. “I’ll be praying for her. Hoping that she’s OK. She was able to talk to me, say a few things. Never a good sight to see.”
[…]
“Totally unfortunate,” Souza said. “People are more important than that game right there. That woman’s health is way more important.”
The situation at Tropicana Field on Friday night seems like a terribly unfortunate circumstance because of how the ball got through the netting.
The ball Friday night went through a gap between the netting that was about the size of 1½ baseballs behind an area designated for photographers.
The primary home plate screen to protect fans at Tropicana Field ends at the start of the photo area. A second screen was installed this season, behind the photo area. Souza’s foul ball got through a narrow opening.
This is just a terrible situation, and a reminder that even expanded netting isn’t going to completely eliminate the risk of fans being injured by fouls balls at the ballpark.
[ESPN]
