Major League Baseball announced today that all 30 big league ballparks will have protective netting extended to at least the far ends of both dugouts by Opening Day in 2018.
Official statement by commissioner Robert Manfred, “Providing baseball fans with a variety of seating options when they come to the ballpark, including seats behind protective netting, is important. Major league clubs are constantly evaluating the coverage and design of their ballpark netting and I am pleased that they are providing fans an increased inventory of protected seats.”
The Mets debuted extended protective netting at Citi Field in July behind the home and away dugouts. The netting goes down the first and third base lines, and extends all the way to the middle of the outfield. The Mets were one of only ten MLB teams to have netting those areas in an attempt to prevent fans from getting injured at games.
In recent days the Tampa Bay Rays, Miami Marlins, Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners announced their plans to extend netting.
