Thoughts on MLB possibly putting up nets from foul pole to foul pole?

[fordman]

Speaking from personal experience at GABP in Cincy, the Reds have a social media night about once a month. They encourage you to download a specific app, turn on/connect via bluetooth, and chat/twitter/FB post throughout the whole game. Seems as if the game doesnt matter, it's just your social status about where your at with a lot of people. Its about I'm here and you're not. Its about if you want to be like me and be here then go buy a ticket and join us. Basically, putting butts in seats regardless of the product on the field and using the game itself as a social status.

Fordman

 

[BiggioBrooks755]

The people that pay big money to sit behind home plate, which is covered by a big huge net, dont seem to mind at all

 

[Super Mario]

The people that pay big money to sit behind home plate, which is covered by a big huge net, dont seem to mind at all

I wouldn't mind either if I was at Busch Stadium, because the green seats have waiters and a private 5 star buffet and dining area behind home plate. I've been in it, and it's fantastic.

I can put up with the net sitting directly behind home plate. But if I'm sitting down the baseline on the other side of the dugout, the nets would irritate me beyond belief.

Just imagine sitting in the upper deck and having the top of the net obstructing your view? Unless they attach the net to the bottom of the upper deck like Yankee Stadium does (I believe) then it would obstruct your sight line.

It's just not necessary.

 

[Super Mario]

THIS is why I don't mind the net behind the plate at Busch Stadium..............................

I guess that depends on what you think is worth the price. You get a buffet that is served before the game w/ really delicious food (usually includes 4 or 5 sides w/ a chicken / fish dish, a meat carving station, salad, soup, desserts). Usually you will fill yourself up w/ that. Your drinks are included the entire time, whether you want soda, teas, beer, wine, mixed drinks, frozen drinks, etc.

Once you get to your seats they also have another menu of "outside" items that you can eat such as bacon wrapped hot dogs, toasted cannelloni, the don dog, turkey wraps, etc.


They will serve beer, wine, soda & water to your seats, you have to get up to go to the bar if you want something else.


The bathrooms are clean w/ a bathroom attendant (I'm not real sure why they are there other than to hand you a napkin).


Also, you get 1 parking pass for every 2 tickets purchased included in the ticket price & the parking lot is right next to the stadium and of course the seats are really nice.


Edit: Also, the bar stays open for I believe 30 minutes to an hour after each game & during all rain delays

http://www.insidestl.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=30186

 

[scotty216brs]

I can understand why they would consider it...I was at a Portland Sea Dogs game last night and one of the Portland hitters fouled a rocket line drive just over the visitors dugout and struck a young kid (he ended up being OK, not sure where he got hit but they brought him an ice pack)....the kid and the family were paying attention but there was absolutely no time to react as the ball was traveling upwards of 100+ mph. (Foul ball missed the current netting by a foot or two).

So for situations like that, I would be for it although being at the stadium it would lessen the enjoyment of watching the game with netting all over the place....but a ton of fans come to the ballpark to catch foul balls and if there is netting around the whole park then there will be that fewer foul balls for fans. I do agree with you Sam, that more fans need to pay attention at ballgames, because it's ridiculous how many fans are on their phones...I'm fine with them checking it between innings, but not paying attention when balls are hit into the stands? That should be at their own risk.

 

[VizquelCollector.com]

Hate it.

I have season tickets in the front row behind the home dugout at my local AAA team. When they built the ballpark, I chose these seats and netting was absolutely a consideration. I understand that I might get hurt so I pay attention. If you take your 3 year old and sit in the first few rows of a hot zone, that's irresponsible parenting.

Ironically I just bought tickets in the front row behind the plate last night (walk-off win). My wife and I absolutely hated how distracting the netting is. If (when?) they extend the netting past our current dugout seats, We may actually give them up.

All that said... I understand the concern. I'm probably in the minority and it's likely going to happen eventually. But it'll diminish my enjoyment for sure.

 

[Johnny G]

I am against it. Like it's been said, just pay attention if you are sitting in danger prone areas. Everywhere for that matter. Too many times people are too busy playing on phones and stuff when you are in the 3rd row. Just pay attention!!!

 

[mchenrycards]

What are your thoughts?

I'm personally not a fan of the idea.

I don't like that the nets would obstruct the views from both the lower seats and the upper deck.

I don't like that after 100+ years of the game being played this way, that the game would be changed so drastically.

I just heard Golic and someone else talking on the radio, asking if someone is going to have to die before this is instituted. People know the risks when they buy the tickets. People should actually pay attention to the game. Accidents happen, but again, you know the risk you are putting yourself in when you attend a game. People can choke on peanuts and hot dogs. Should MLB stop selling solid foods at the ballpark too, just because someone may die?

How many people have fell from the upper deck down to the seats below? Should they put up a net preventing that too?

Heck, Josh Hamilton had a part in killing a guy, should we ban outfield walls and bullpens?

No. People should pay more attention while at the games, and not be complete morons and fall down to their deaths.

I'm not in favor of changing the game, just because of a few instances. Even if someone does die. It's sad, but don't make such a drastic change for the masses, just because a handful of people have been hurt.

Im probably wrong though. I always am.

All one needs to see is a screaming line drive right over the top of the dugout and hearing the sickening sound of someone's collarbone blowing up upon impact to know that nets, at least from dugout to dugout is needed. Yes, I have seen and heard this as well as so many other near misses and direct hits. In many ball parks, someone sitting right behind the dugout is almost the same distance away from a batter ball as the pitcher. If the pitcher cannot get out of the way in time how does one expect a fan to do so?

 

[rsmath]

I thought of this thread when watching the LLWS the other night. It seems like LLWS is very paranoid about foul balls and legal action because it looks like from many times I looked at the wide shots that there is netting from foul pole to foul pole at Lamade Stadium.

 

[Lancemountain]

I think some of you are overestimating what the netting will be like. It'll do nothing to your enjoyment of the game if you just relax and don't get all upset about it.

Most other sports have increased protection and non have impeded the enjoyment of the game at all.

And getting angry enough to curse about how other people spend their time at the ballpark???