Possibly true. If fans were able to watch the game instead of all the distractions, there might be fewer getting nailed with a foul ball. But then again, that’s been part of the game since the first one.
This should not be a long-term concern. Given the trend in new ballparks: fewer seats more skyboxes, everyone will be behind an air conditioned, multi-million dollar per season screen.
The odds of a billionaire who has an army of lawyers capable of bankrupting a ball club with legal fees getting hit with a foul ball goes up tremendously.
Spectators at any professional sporting event are just backdrop. They are unnecessary. Ticket revenue is merely a drop in the bucket to the TV advertising, sponsorship monies, et al. But, in fairness, I stopped going when the cost of a family attending a baseball game was more than a week’s paycheck for tickets, parking, something to eat and drink, and other miscellaneous costs. Because that’s all the fans are; money mills to be milked dry getting in and squeezed empty getting out.
MLB should be forced by Law to issue Full Face Batting Helmets to every 16 and under 65 and older Guest Heart Guards for Children might save some also….THINK OF THE CHILDREN , or put Nets up ?
One can hope that the laws of physics combine with the laws of litigation to produce ….. NETS! Which should be a pretty cheap investment compared to the lawsuit potential heading out to the ol’ ball park.
If three year olds are in a position where they can get beaned, then eventually one of them will get beaned. Also anybody else who’s got reflexes less excellent than an outfielder. There’s obviously something new happening in the last several years because we’re seeing a serious upturn in injured fans. When “extend the netting” is as inexpensive and as useful as it is, it’s hard to imagine how to justify not doing it.
PS: I doubt you could pay me to watch a full baseball game in person. Certainly not without at least 3 zeros just left of the decimal. I’d rather watch paint dry.
cageywayne almost 5 years ago
Not a fan. If they aren’t drawing blood or breaking bones, I don’t like it. :>
sandpiper almost 5 years ago
Possibly true. If fans were able to watch the game instead of all the distractions, there might be fewer getting nailed with a foul ball. But then again, that’s been part of the game since the first one.
sykerocker almost 5 years ago
Also, bring back small ball. To hell with home run or strikeout.
DanFlak almost 5 years ago
This should not be a long-term concern. Given the trend in new ballparks: fewer seats more skyboxes, everyone will be behind an air conditioned, multi-million dollar per season screen.
The odds of a billionaire who has an army of lawyers capable of bankrupting a ball club with legal fees getting hit with a foul ball goes up tremendously.
mourdac Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Surprised it hasn’t happened more often. It’s cheap insurance, just do it already.
Zen-of-Zinfandel almost 5 years ago
Soft mega pretzel…on a stick.
garcalej almost 5 years ago
Those balls move pretty fast. Not sure removing distractions would be that much help.
Bookworm almost 5 years ago
Spectators at any professional sporting event are just backdrop. They are unnecessary. Ticket revenue is merely a drop in the bucket to the TV advertising, sponsorship monies, et al. But, in fairness, I stopped going when the cost of a family attending a baseball game was more than a week’s paycheck for tickets, parking, something to eat and drink, and other miscellaneous costs. Because that’s all the fans are; money mills to be milked dry getting in and squeezed empty getting out.
magicwalnut Premium Member almost 5 years ago
The distractions are kind of like the sideshows at a carnival….Required, because otherwise, baseball is incredibly boring.
William Bednar Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Right, Mam. But, you try ducking out the way of a 150 mile/hour baseball! Easy, you say? Ok. Now, see if the five year old next to can do it too!
Ammo is busy training in the hills Premium Member almost 5 years ago
MLB should be forced by Law to issue Full Face Batting Helmets to every 16 and under 65 and older Guest Heart Guards for Children might save some also….THINK OF THE CHILDREN , or put Nets up ?
6.6TA almost 5 years ago
One can hope that the laws of physics combine with the laws of litigation to produce ….. NETS! Which should be a pretty cheap investment compared to the lawsuit potential heading out to the ol’ ball park.
dogday Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Yeah but….yeah but….there’d still be STUPID.
timbob2313 Premium Member almost 5 years ago
If baseball didn’t have all those distractions the teams would be playing for a few hundred people rather than several thousand
Concretionist almost 5 years ago
If three year olds are in a position where they can get beaned, then eventually one of them will get beaned. Also anybody else who’s got reflexes less excellent than an outfielder. There’s obviously something new happening in the last several years because we’re seeing a serious upturn in injured fans. When “extend the netting” is as inexpensive and as useful as it is, it’s hard to imagine how to justify not doing it.
PS: I doubt you could pay me to watch a full baseball game in person. Certainly not without at least 3 zeros just left of the decimal. I’d rather watch paint dry.
pamela welch Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Good point here Jeff – you forgot phones & the narcissistic selfie