Season ticket holder sues Major League Baseball, wants netting extended to foul poles
Foul pole. Image from Shutterstock.
An Oakland Athletics fan has sued Major League Baseball, saying that she cannot enjoy her family’s season tickets because she is afraid they will be hit by a foul ball or a splintered bat.
Filed Monday in federal court in San Francisco, the complaint by lead plaintiff Gail Payne seeks class-action status and a court order requiring the league to extend protective netting to the foul poles, reports the Los Angeles Times (sub. req.).
“Every type of fan is constantly at risk of serious injury or death,” said attorney Robert Hilliard, who represents plaintiffs in the case. “If that foul ball is hit hard enough, reaction time is basically zero and life-threatening injury is certain. This is a needless risk. Extending the nets will, as a fact, save lives.”
In a written statement provided to the Associated Press, the commissioner’s office called fan safety MLB’s foremost goal. “Major League Baseball is in the process of re-evaluating all issues pertaining to fan safety, comfort and expectations,” it said.
ESPN and the New York Times (reg. req.) also have stories.
