Back to the Top News Newsfeed

Lawsuit Seeks Better Protection for Fans From Foul Balls and Broken Bats

On the eve of baseball’s All-Star Game, a proposed class-action lawsuit was filed Monday against Major League Baseball accusing it of doing too little to protect fans from being seriously injured by fast-moving foul balls and splintered bats. In particular, the suit cites the need for extending protective netting from behind the backstop at ballparks to far along the first- and third-base lines.

The lead plaintiff, Gail Payne, is an Oakland A’s fan who feels vulnerable to injury because her seats in Section 211 at O.co Coliseum are not protected by netting. A fan beside her was injured by a foul ball.