The Royals have experienced complications attempting to extend netting while complying with MLB rulesGETTY IMAGES
The Royals are "planning and expecting to extend the protective netting around Kauffman Stadium to better protect fans, perhaps as soon as this season," according to Sam Mellinger of the K.C. STAR. The efforts take on an "amplified urgency after a fan was hit and injured by a foul ball at Kauffman Stadium over the weekend." The timing of implementation "depends on several factors, including specific design challenges and scheduling." The Royals were "among the first clubs to act after MLB recommended teams add netting" before the '16 season. Royals Senior VP/Business Operations Kevin Uhlich described a "series of complications, including MLB rules that cables not hang above fair territory." He added that the cables "could attach to the Hall of Fame building in left field and Rivals sports bar in right, with netting going as far as each foul pole." Uhlich: "Our intention is to extend it much further than we are today. We’ll go as far as we can" (K.C. STAR, 7/16).
BUBBA BOUNCE: In K.C., Pete Grathoff noted Royals CF Bubba Starling’s promotion from Triple-A PCL Omaha Storm Chasers on Friday gave the team a "boost at the ticket office." The Royals "sold 4,000 tickets on Friday night, when Starling made his debut, and that number included 2,500 in walk-up sales." Friday’s total attendance was 25,059, 6,253 more than the '19 per game average of 18,806. On Saturday, the attendance was 27,551, with 3,200 tickets "sold that day, including 2,100 walk-ups" (KANSASCITY.com, 7/16).
