It is "long past time for baseball to make some pretty simple changes that would reduce fan injuries dramatically -- starting with extending the protective netting behind home plate to the ends of the two dugouts," according to Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore SUN. The change "wouldn't cost much and there's no question that it would make the parks safer for the lower-deck fans directly in the line of fire." But that "doesn't necessarily mean that it would be a popular one" (Baltimore SUN, 6/10). ESPN.com's Jeffri Chadiha wrote, "There has to be a serious conversation about how baseball can keep fans engaged and safe at the same time." Former MLBer and Royals broadcaster Jeff Montgomery said, "I'm surprised there haven't been more injuries or deaths, just because of the way the balls and bats fly at such a close range. ... I can remember being a relief pitcher and watching bats and line drives flying right over the dugout. And when that happens, you have fans who aren't paying attention or they're playing with little kids. It's amazing that you don't see it more often" (ESPN.com, 6/9). Denver Post columnist Woody Paige said of installing more protective netting, “They should have done it long ago. The people who sit behind home plate … don’t mind looking through netting. Have it all the way down to the foul poles.” ESPN's Israel Gutierrez said, “I don’t know if foul pole to foul pole is necessary but they definitely need to look at more." MLB needs to "address it immediately.” Columnist Kevin Blackistone: There are “some things” MLB can do, including reminding “people constantly of the dangers of sitting down the line” (“Around The Horn,” ESPN, 6/9).
DON'T CHANGE A THING: In Pittsburgh, Rob Rossi wrote, "Let's hope serious consideration is not given to extending protective netting from one foul pole to the other. ... I'm all for anything that keeps netting from stretching pole-to-pole." A ballpark "needn't feel like a spider web." Fans at the ballpark "feel like you're in touch with what's going on." They "don't get that at a football stadium or hockey rink." If nothing else, there is an "illusion of a tactile experience every time you're at a big league game." Rossi: "Baseball can't lose that illusion" (PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 6/10).
