Bradenton, Fla. -- The Pirates announced Friday that they will extend the netting at PNC Park and their spring training stadium LECOM Park, starting in the 2020 season.
The new netting systems will now stretch nearly the length of the first and third base foul lines at both ballparks in order to allow for a safer viewing environment.
Each MLB team will have netting that extends nearly the length of the foul line in 2020. Each club extended netting to at least the far end of the dugouts before the 2018 season.
The club says it is making the change in regards to fan safety, adding the netting will have "maximum occupancy.