MLB Must Mandate Expanded Protective Netting Summary

In Gabriel Baumgaertner ‘s article titled MLB Must Mandate Expanded Protective Netting Before It’s Too Late, the author will argue as to why all baseball parks should have protective netting installed in all in front of lower level seating. It will also provide a strong reasons as to why players agree with protective netting. This paper will provide recent incidents of in detail of fans being struck by a hit ball that. Baumgaertner’s valid evidence will help support his argument and prove how important it is for Major League Baseball to make protective netting mandatory in the lower seating are of all ballparks before another fan gets killed.

Baumgaertner states that when a baseball is hit as a line drive by a baseball players bat, it

becomes very dangerous for the fans due to the high speed that it travels at.

The author notes that a baseball can travel at speeds of 110 MPH when hit by the baseball players. This he says, makes it deadly flying object and dangerous for those sitting in the lower level seating at ballparks. The author writes in detail about a recent event in which a young girl sitting in the lower level seating was struck in the face at a baseball game. During this particular incident, many of the players in this game were affected and support that protective netting should be installed. This incident sparks the argument made by baseball players to pressure MLB to make it mandatory for netting to be installed to protect the fans. Major League Baseball’s Commissioner Bob Manfred made a statement by saying “Over the past few seasons MLB has worked with our clubs to expand the amount of netting in our

ballparks,” Manfred said. “In light of yesterday’s event, we will redouble our efforts on this important issue” (qtd. in Neumeister). The author also provides details of other incidents that included injuries to fans struck in the face by hit baseballs and one coach that actually lost his life when he was struck in the head by a line drive. The latter prompted MLB to make it mandatory for coaches to wear helmets at baseball games. Baumgaertner believes that the recent incidents that he provides prove to be more than enough to prompt Major League Baseball to make it mandatory for each ballpark to have protective netting installed before someone loses their life.
The recent incidents of fans being struck by baseballs make it clear that fans should be protected.

The high speeds of hit baseballs make it very dangerous for fans that sit at or near the front rows of a ballpark. Many players were affected recently when a line drive of the bat of a player struck a toddler in the face. The players are pressuring the league to protect the fans sitting in the lower levels. Not only fans are in danger, but even coaches are in danger too. One coach lost his life when he was struck by a line drive at a baseball game. In that case the league made it mandatory for all coaches on the field to wear helmets. The players in the dugouts are also being protected by netting installed on the dugout rails. If players and coaches are protected, then fans should be protected

too.
Even if just one fan at a baseball game gets critically injured or killed, that is one too many. Baseball teams are not responsible for injuries suffered by fans and make it the fan’s responsibility to be alert of errant balls hit their way. Cell phones have made it more difficult for fans to stay fixed on the happenings of a baseball games which makes them more vulnerable to being hit by baseballs. Young fans that sit in the lower seating area are most in danger of being struck by a baseball due distractions or the simple fact that they are children and want to play. There are too many distractions for the youngest fans to stay alert. Research has been conducted to show that even if a fan is paying attention, they may still be struck by a baseball due to the reaction of the fan being too slow. Many of the ballparks currently do not have protective netting. Owens have listened to fans that pay for premium seating, that they do not want their view obstructed by the protective netting. Those fans that sit in the lower levels and want the protective netting, should not attend a baseball game having to gamble with getting hurt or killed by a hit baseball. Baseball teams should put the safety of fans first instead of worrying about the high paying fan’s complaints about their view being obstructed by a safety net. Therefore, I agree with Baumgaertner that MLB should make it mandatory for all baseball ball parks to install netting to protect their fans.
Baumgaertner told us of recent incidents of fans and a coach that have been hurt or killed by baseballs hit by players at baseball games. The author also provided evidence that most current baseball players support his argument. At the end we have learned that there is a danger that exists by sitting in the lower levels at ballparks without protective netting. Baumgaertner has left us with an overall impression as to the importance of why Major League Baseball should make it mandatory for all baseball ballparks to install protective netting before someone else injured or killed.
My agreement with Baumgaertner’s argument is a no doubter. The dangers that come with attending a ball game and sitting in the lower levels can affect any fan if alert or distracted. MLB owners should put the safety off all fans before the interest in making money. These precautions can prevent more serious injuries and at worst, prevent more deaths. At this point, Major League Baseball should have no other choice but to make protective netting mandatory at all stadiums.