The Yankees yesterday announced plans to "add additional protective netting" at Yankee Stadium and George M. Steinbrenner Field at their Spring Training facility in Tampa, according to Steven Marcus of NEWSDAY. Work is expected to "begin at both facilities during the offseason." The decision follows an incident Sept. 20 at Yankee Stadium when a young female fan was "struck by a line drive" by Yankees 3B Todd Frazier (NEWSDAY, 10/2). The Yankees in a statement said they will continue to consult with architects, engineers, netting manufacturers and MLB to "analyze and determine the best and most appropriate type" of protective netting to install. They added they have "also considered comments" from fans. The Yankees said that their '18 plans for protective netting would "exceed current guidelines established" by MLB (Bergen RECORD, 10/2). Frazier said of the plans to add netting, "That's great. I think not only here, but every team should have it. It's a good step forward for the Yankees." ESPN.com noted the Yankees "did not say" how far they will expand netting that "currently extends from the corner of each dugout closest to home plate" (ESPN.com, 10/1).
STAYING STRONG: In N.Y., Billy Witz notes Geoffrey Jacobson, the father of the young girl, spoke publicly for the first time this weekend about the episode, describing in "chilling detail the girl’s injuries and urging the Yankees to take action to extend the protective netting." The Yankees’ statement announcing plans for netting came "shortly before the father’s interview." Jacobson said that doctors "had not yet determined whether his daughter would require facial surgery or whether her vision would return to normal." In the wake of the episode, at least four teams had announced they would also "extend their netting for next season." The Yankees’ "silence had been a factor in Jacobson’s agreeing to talk to The Times." Jacobson on the Yankees deciding to expand the netting said, "It’s what they should have said from Day 1, but I’m happy to hear this. I hope the remaining teams follow suit, because it’s not just about the Yankees." Asked if he was considering legal action against the Yankees, Jacobson said, "I haven’t thought about it. As a lawyer, I know we have a statute of limitations. There’s a time and a place for that, but it’s not on my radar." Jacobson said that the only Yankees official who had "contacted him was one from the team’s public relations office." He said that he had "not heard" from the team’s Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner, President Randy Levine or COO Lonn Trost. However, Jacobson has had "several conversations" with Frazier (N.Y. TIMES, 10/2).
