Safety Netting To Expand In Many Michigan Ballparks

Some minor league ballparks in Michigan are adding netting along the baselines, to protect fans.

The changes are being urged by Major League Baseball, following a lawsuit.

In Grand Rapids, the home of the West Michigan Whitecaps, CEO Lew Chamberlin says 78 feet of nets will go up on each side of the field. Ballparks in Battle Creek and Kalamazoo are doing the same thing.

The Great Lakes Loons in Midland says they’re discussing the idea internally and should have a decision before the season begins.

Major league teams are also being urged to add netting. So far, a few have said they would.

Those pushing for it say foul balls can come screaming into the crowd at over 100 miles an hour and they don’t want to take the chance on a fan getting hurt.

Some fans have lamented that it could mean fewer souvenir baseballs. Others have said safety should come first.