Manfred: MLB will 'redouble efforts' on safety netting in ballparks
After a young girl was hit in the face with a line drive during a contest between the New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins on Wednesday afternoon, Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said he'll increase the league's efforts to install protective safety netting in ballparks.
"The events at yesterday's game involving a young girl were extremely upsetting for everyone in our game," Manfred said, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. "Over the past few seasons MLB has worked with our clubs to expand the amount of netting in our ballparks. In light of yesterday's event, we will redouble our efforts on this important issue."
After the 2-year-old girl was struck by a liner off the bat of Yankees third baseman Todd Frazier, players and fans were left in shock and some were even brought to tears.
Child gets hit by a foul ball at Yankees game. The players' reactions say it all. pic.twitter.com/YIyaBJq7tT
— Jordan Heck (@JordanHeckFF) September 20, 2017
The young fan was carried out of Yankee Stadium and immediately taken to hospital, where she is recovering.
"She's doing alright, just keep her in your thoughts," the 2-year-old's father said, according to ABC EyeWitness News.
The scary incident immediately lead to MLB players, including Twins second baseman Brian Dozier who witnessed everything first-hand, to ask why the league lacks more protective netting in its ballparks.
"We've been trying to get these teams to put nets up," Dozier explained to Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press. "Number one, you don't bring kids down there. And number two, every stadium needs to have nets. That's it. I don't care about the damn view of the fan or what. It's all about safety. I still have a knot in my stomach."