MLB Issues Statement on Netting After Young Girl Is Hospitalized by Foul Ball
Major League Baseball issued a statement about the little girl who was struck by a foul ball Wednesday while attending an Astros game against the Chicago Cubs in Houston.
The foul ball came off the bat of Cubs outfielder Albert Almora Jr. in the fourth inning. The line drive down the third base line hit the girl, who was in the field-level stands.
“The events at last night’s game were extremely upsetting. We send our best wishes to the child and family involved,” MLB said in a statement, via USA Today baseball reporter Bob Nightengale.
MLB issues statement on the foul ball that struck 4-year-old girl: “The events at last night’s game were extremely upsetting. We send our best wishes to the child and family involved. (Cont.)
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) May 30, 2019
“Clubs have significantly expanded netting and their inventory of protected seats in recent years,” MLB said. “With last night’s event in mind, we will continue our efforts on this important issue.”
Clubs have significantly expanded netting and their inventory of protected seats in recent years. With last night’s event in mind, we will continue our efforts on this important issue.”
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) May 30, 2019
The 4-year-old girl was taken to the hospital and was recovering Thursday, KHOU-TV reported.
Astros officials wouldn’t say anything more on her condition, saying her family has asked for privacy.
Before the start of the 2018 season, MLB announced that all 30 teams would have protective netting to at least the ends of both dugouts.
Minute Maid Park, where the Astros play, has protective netting to end of the visiting team’s dugout along the third base line. The girl was sitting in the third or fourth row, approximately 10 feet past the netting, Yahoo Sports reported.
This incident, and others, has revived the debate on expanding the protective netting. Last August, a fan died as a result of getting hit with a foul ball at Dodger Stadium.
Almora, who was torn about by the incident, believes it should be extended.
”Right now, obviously, I want to put a net around the whole stadium,” Almora said, according to Yahoo.
The New York Yankees are one of the teams that extended the netting beyond the dugouts into the outfield. A little girl had been seriously injured by a foul ball at Yankee Stadium in 2017.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said all teams should consider something similar.
”It’s something that going back to my playing days, a handful of times a year you have that scary moment,” Boone said, according to Yahoo. ”When my wife and I started having kids and the first time they were in a park, one of my first things was make sure you’re sitting in a place where, A, you’re paying attention or B, you’re protected.
“So, yeah, it can be a scary situation, and I think it’s important that we do all we can to protect our fans.”
Story updated with MLB comment and father of girl severely injured at Yankee Stadium 2 years ago. “Obviously it stirs up a lot of emotion, and it’s very upsetting. . . It’s so unnecessary.” https://t.co/yYFnF57cM2
— Billy Witz (@billywitz) May 30, 2019
“When Xavier comes to games, he watches from inside,” Boston Red Sox pitcher David Price told USA Today, referring to his 2-year-old son. “Baseballs are coming off bats harder than ever.
“Just like always, it takes something like this for MLB to take action. It’s sad.”
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