The Blue Jays are the latest team to announce plans to extend protective netting in their ballpark.
The team said it will extend the netting before next season not only at Rogers Centre, but at Dunedin Stadium— its spring training facility on Florida — as well.
We will extend the protective netting at Rogers Centre for the start of the 2020 season. While the exact configuration is TBD, the netting will extend farther down the baselines. pic.twitter.com/92IJmithp1
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) August 6, 2019
“Fan safety is paramount to the Blue Jays and we believe that fans should feel protected and secure during our games," Andrew Miller, the team's executive vice president of business operations, said in a statement. "Extending the protective netting at Rogers Centre and Dunedin Stadium is a clear next step for our organization and one that reflects our team’s values. As fans and followers of the game, it is vitally important for us to preserve and enhance the live baseball experience, while also ensuring everyone who visits our ballparks can do so safely.”
The Blue Jays added that the plans for the netting will be shared at a further time after the they properly develop and fit the netting for the Rogers Centre, all while making sure the fans still have a good experience.
The news comes two days after a Rangers fan was struck in the forehead by a foul ball at Globe Life Park. With assistance she was able to leave the stands to head to the hospital for further evaluation.
There has been a call for all 30 parks to extend their netting, especially after a young girl was seriously injured at Minute Maid Park in May. The White Sox recently installed extended netting, and the Nationals, Dodgers, Pirates, Orioles and Royals all said they would do so in the near future.