MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred yesterday said the league will review all of its fan safety protocols following the serious injuries Red Sox fan Tonya Carpenter suffered Friday night at Fenway Park. “When you have an incident like this, you have to go back and re-evaluate where you are on all of your safety issues,” said Manfred yesterday prior to the start of the First-Year Player Draft. “Trust me, we will do that -- just like we are on a variety of issues right now at the beginning of my tenure.” Manfred said that review process will involve all 30 clubs and likely the players’ union. But he stopped well short of specifically promising increased netting at ballparks. “You have to react strongly to an incident like this. But I think the best word for it -- we’re going to re-evaluate where we are,” Manfred said. “There’s a variety of issues we’re going to take a fresh look at.” Manfred did cite a sharply reduced incidence of shattered bats in recent years following a prolonged league initiative. The Red Sox in a separate statement said they will “fully participate” in that league review (Eric Fisher, Staff Writer). Manfred: "I think it’s important not to lose sight of the fact that we have taken important steps in this area. Bat safety is much improved from where it was a few years ago. We’ve spent a lot of time, money, and effort to make sure our bats are safer and we have less accidents" (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/9).
