Last week’s news that the Mariners would further expand protective netting around Safeco Field was followed a day later by word that all Major League Baseball teams would do the same.
And it’s not surprising.
Mariners president and CEO Kevin Mather issued a statement saying the team is concerned about fan safety, which is no doubt true. No MLB team I know of wants their fans knocked unconscious or to lose teeth or fingertips because of a screaming line drive.
But it appears more likely the main driver behind MLB’s changes is the increased potential for a successful lawsuit by injured fans struck by foul balls or pieces of flying bats.