In N.Y., Tyler Kepner notes MLB has "defended the safety of its ballparks" after a woman died last year as a result of being struck by a ball at Dodger Stadium. The league said that it had increased the "'inventory of protected seats'" at Dodger Stadium prior to the August incident. A statement from the league asserted that teams were "'constantly evaluating the coverage and design of their ballpark netting,' though stopped short of recommending that the netting be raised, like it is in Japan" (N.Y. TIMES, 2/6). Meanwhile, SI.com's Michael McCann explores the possible legal ramifications facing the Dodgers after the fan's death (SI.com, 2/5).
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: In Las Vegas, Ben Gotz noted the NHL and NHLPA are "teaming to celebrate Black History Month as part of the league’s new 'Hockey Is For Everyone' initiative." Events during the month include the “American Legacy Black Hockey History Tour,” which is a "mobile museum that will stop in eight cities in February." NHL Network also produced a roundtable available on NHL.com that features Hockey HOFers Grant Fuhr, Angela James and Willie O’Ree "discussing racism and breaking down barriers in hockey" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 2/3).
COMING SOON: XFL Commissioner & CEO Oliver Luck said that he expects the league "within six to eight weeks to announce its head coaches, the nicknames and color schemes for its teams" in Houston, Dallas-Ft.Worth, St. Louis, N.Y., L.A., Seattle, Tampa and DC. Luck said that the XFL also "will announce its broadcast schedule, which will include two games each week on an over the air channel and two on a fully distributed cable channel." In Houston, David Barron notes the XFL is reportedly in "talks with Fox and ESPN as its television partners" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 2/6).
