By Jordan Long
The Chicago White Sox have decided to protect fans when they go to a game at Guaranteed Rate Field. They are going to extend the protective netting on both sides of the field all the way to the foul pole. This was after a woman was hit by a foul ball off the bat of rookie Eloy Jimenez on June 10th and had to be taken to the hospital. The project is expected to be completed sometime this summer before the baseball season is over.
This is a step in the right direction. The White Sox know fan safety is the number 1 priority. They don’t want to see another incident where a fan is hit by a baseball and has to leave the stadium. According to USAtoday.com, Chicago Cubs outfielder Albert Almora Jr. said, “Obviously that’s a positive step in this sport. I don’t think anybody should go home with bumps or bruises or even worse. So whatever they got to do to take care of that, I’m glad they’re taking procedures.”
Extending the nets to the foul pole seems like a great idea but it’s not the right solution. Fans who sit down the line aren’t going to have the opportunity to catch a foul ball or try to lean down to grab a ball that is rolling. Players sometimes like to throw baseballs into the stands to kids. That is now gone with this.
Some people may not purchase tickets close to the field because it could impact how they see the game even though their eyes should get used to it. The demand to sit in the outfield during White Sox home games could increase because they would have a chance to catch a home run ball. There might be a higher number of supporters during batting practice before games who want to come away with a souvenir since it might be the only opportunity for them to.
The White Sox are overreacting, but this is their solution to the problem of people being smacked by a baseball. The best answer to me to protect fans is to make the netting go all the way past the 1st and 3rd base line and stop near the outfield. This protects fans close to the dugout and the base lines from screaming line drives. Further down the line, folks have a chance to leave with a baseball and a better chance to avoid being hit. MLB will need to figure out a way fans can be protected at a game without going overboard like the White Sox have.
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