Manfred: Talks to expand netting could pick up in offseason
Despite mounting pressure across the sport, Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred doesn't anticipate that teams will extend protective netting down the outfield lines this season.
"It's very difficult given how far the clubs have gone with the netting to make changes during the year, because they really are structural issues," Manfred said on Tuesday, according to The Associated Press. "But, because safety is so important, I'm sure that conversation will begin and continue into the offseason."
The issue of extended netting once again became a talking point in baseball after a small child was struck by a foul ball off the bat of Chicago Cubs outfielder Albert Almora Jr. in Houston last week. The child was taken to hospital, and her condition has not been released publicly.
Previous incidents involving fans being injured by foul balls and other objects from the field led to all MLB teams extending protective netting to the end of the dugouts for the start of last season.
Manfred acknowledged that safety at the ballpark is an "important" issue, but noted that some stadiums' unique design makes it harder to install netting all the way down the lines.
"I think it is important that we continue to focus on fan safety," Manfred said. "If that means that the netting has to go beyond the dugouts, so be it. Each ballpark is different. The reason I hesitate with 'beyond the dugout,' I mean, a lot of clubs are beyond the dugout already.
"But, there is a balance here. We do have fans that are vocal about the fact that they don't want to sit behind nets. I think that we have struck the balance in favor of fan safety so far, and I think we will continue to do that going forward."
Almora was visibly distraught on the field after his foul ball struck the child last Wednesday and was one of several prominent voices that quickly called for changes in the aftermath of the incident.
"Right now, obviously, I want to put a net around the whole stadium," he said postgame.