MLB dropped the ball with late implementation of protective netting

MLB is enforcing the use of extended protective netting in all 30 MLB ballparks, and it’s about time.

MLB is (finally) embracing reasonable safety standards, announcing on Thursday that all 30 MLB stadiums will extend their netting beginning the coming 2018 season — and it’s about time. USA Today provides us the details of what these new standards entail:

"The netting, which aims to protect fans in field level seats from low-flying foul balls and broken bats, will stretch to at least the far end of each dugout, according to a press release."

Initially, talks launched in 2016 to enforce this safety regulation, but MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred dropped the ball, dragging his feet on the matter. The result, severe injuries at MLB stadiums under his watch — with the most prominent case at Yankee Stadium in 2017. 

New York Yankees slugger Todd Frazier smashed a screaming line drive into the stands, injuring a young girl in the process. The moment had a drastic impact on Frazier, with the matter hitting home for the MLB veteran.

"“I thought of my kids. I have two kids under 3 years old and I just hope she’s all right.”"

Thankfully, the young fan recovered from her injuries, but matters could have been much worse. They also would have been prevented, if these new netting standards were implemented in 2017 like many were pushing for in 2016. It’s not fair to the fans, but also the MLB players, who feel responsible when this happens. Manfred and those executives are to blame, for not rectifying the situation when they had the chance two years ago.

Minnesota Twins star Brian Dozier, who’s known for speaking his mind on critical MLB issues, spoke up in September of 2017 as well.

"“We’ve been trying to get these teams to put nets up. Number one, you don’t bring kids down there. And number two, every stadium needs to have nets. That’s it. I don’t care about the damn view of the fan or what. It’s all about safety. I still have a knot in my stomach.”"

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Dozier is spot on, and it’s about time MLB listened to pleas from players and fans. Yes, we had signs and warnings, but that was not enough.

Personally, I have season tickets for the Missouri State University Bears, who share Hammons Field with the St. Louis Cardinals Double-A affiliate in Springfield, Missouri. My seats are right on the third base line on the dugout and had zero protective netting until the beginning of the 2016 season.

As much fun as it was for my dad and me trying to snag screamers off the bat of the likes of now Chicago White Sox prospect Jake Burger, we could have been seriously injured. At first, the netting was slightly annoying, but after a half-inning of game-play, we couldn’t even notice the difference. And now, we are much safer.

Next: Brian Dozier speaks out against rule changes

Thank you, MLB for doing the right thing, which often takes years for them to act upon. The recent black-eyes of baseball – the Steroid Era and preventable fan injuries — are hopefully in the rearview mirror, with better days ahead for players, fans, and safety MLB wide.