Miami Marlins Brad Ziegler Has Something to Say to Fans

In the wake of the call to extend netting throughout ballparks around Major League Baseball, there are those fans who complain that it will ruin the experience. Miami Marlins reliever Brad Ziegler did not mince words when it came to his thoughts on the matter.

On Wednesday, Yankee Stadium was the scene of a horrific incident, when a young girl was struck in the face by a foul ball off the bat of Todd Frazier. Although she is reportedly doing better, it was still an incident that shook up the baseball world. Unsurprisingly, this has also led to a renewed effort to extend the netting around ballparks throughout Major League Baseball.

Also, unsurprisingly, there are those who still resist such an idea. Claiming that netting would interfere with the fan experience, this small group of fans is completely against the idea of protective netting. Well, Miami Marlins reliever Brad Ziegler had two words to those who are against the netting – stay home.

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Naturally, his thoughts led to comments from that segment of the fanbase he told to go away. And, naturally, they pulled out the old arguments about paying attention and how the fan experience would be ruined. But sometimes, it is not that simple. Even former professional players have difficulty getting out of the way of these foul balls. Former third baseman Mike Coolbaugh was killed when he was coaching first base in a minor league game when he was hit by a line drive. But, you know, pay attention, right?

If these former players cannot get out of the way of the ball, how is a regular fan expected to? And then, what about those children or elderly fans? Are they expected to have those same lightning fast reflexes?

Ziegler is exactly right in his thoughts. Other people will gladly purchase those tickets, sitting close to the field of play and secure in their knowledge that they will not have to worry about a line drive hitting them in the time it takes to blink. While they may not be able to get a player stealing their popcorn or someone landing in their lap, it leads to a safer environment. That should be the goal after all.

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Of course people would be upset with Brad Ziegler for telling them to stay home. However, that does not mean that the Miami Marlins reliever was wrong.