MLB team owners will receive a formal recommendation from the league on increased safety netting at ballparks prior to the next set of owners’ meetings in January. Commissioner Rob Manfred on Thursday following quarterly meetings in Dallas declined to discuss details, but confirmed there will be increased netting starting with the ’16 season. The netting recommendation also is due to include a fan education component. Manfred added, "The toughest issues for us are when we have fans on both sides of the equation. It’s fans and revenue, and you always want to err on the side of the fan. But if fans want ‘x’ on one side, and we’re concerned about our fans on the other side, that’s a more difficult balance" (Eric Fisher, Staff Writer). On Long Island, Erik Boland notes Manfred "emphasized that there are hurdles." He said, "Obviously, fan safety is paramount for us. We want our fans to be safe in the ballpark. But we also have lots of fans who are very vocal about the fact that they don't like to sit behind nets." Manfred added that last week's terrorist attacks in France and the subsequent threats to the U.S. "will make stadium security 'a focal point' at the January meetings" (NEWSDAY, 11/20).
QUICK THINKING: USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale writes the league which once "prided itself on its traditional, and yes, even archaic ways, now is acting like a downright responsive entity." Manfred and his front office "are listening" to the fans and "acting as swiftly as possible" (USA TODAY, 11/20). Speaking on MLB Network, Nightengale added, "All 30 ballparks will have some kind of minimum requirement. (Manfred) says it is a tricky issue because a lot of fans behind home plate (and) around the dugout area don’t want to see it. But there’ve been too many injuries and they’ve got to do something" ("MLB Tonight," MLB Network, 11/20).
