Twins Announce New Safety Plans at Target Field

[Seth Stohs]

This afternoon, the Twins announced their new safety plans following the decision by MLB to recommend more netting around the plate. Here is the press release from the Minnesota Twins (bolding by me)

 

 

MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, MN – The Minnesota Twins today announced plans to comply with Major League Baseball’s Fan Safety Recommendations – including new protective netting at Target Field – for the 2016 season.

 

“The Twins commend MLB and Commissioner Manfred for their leadership on this critical issue and the completion of a thorough analysis in consultation with all 30 clubs,” said Twins President Dave St. Peter. “It’s our intent to follow MLB’s recommendations regarding fan safety netting as well as an incremental focus on educating fans regarding the dangers posed by batted balls and bats entering the stands.”

 

Since opening in 2010, Target Field has earned its reputation as one of the most intimate venues in all of sports. The ballpark’s lower level seats are located closer to home plate than any other venue in MLB.

 

Target Field’s current backstop net is in compliance with the stated MLB recommendations – which call for netting to protect seats between the dugouts within 70-feet of home plate.

 

In contrast to other MLB ballparks, Target Field’s dugouts are the closest to home plate of any in the league.  Because of the proximity of seats within the Dugout Box seating sections (sections 3 through 6 and sections 11 through 14), the Twins will add protective netting above the dugouts in advance of the 2016 season. This new safety netting will extend approximately seven-feet high and run the length of the first and third base dugouts.

 

Regarding the netting itself, the Twins will take advantage of the latest technology – both behind home plate and at the dugouts – delivering a minimally obtrusive viewing experience.

 

“The Twins remain fully committed to delivering the best possible game day experience for our fans,” St. Peter added. “In that spirit we have developed this plan aimed at enhancing fan safety while preserving the unique sightlines and accessibility of our ballpark. The Twins are proactively reaching out to season ticket holders most affected by these changes. We fully understand fans differ in relation to their opinions about sitting behind protective netting and will do our best to accommodate the varying preferences.”

 

In addition to protective netting revisions, the Twins will implement an enhanced communication plan at Target Field warning fans about the dangers posed by batted balls and bats entering the stands and the need to pay attention to the action on the field during each at-bat. This plan will include warning messages via in-ballpark signage, messaging on tickets and other team-controlled platforms.

[Mike Sixel]

That last part is so ridiculous......as a libertarian, I hate laws a lot....but the litigious nature of our society, ugh.

[zenser]

I wonder if that net above the dugout would be removed during batting practice.  That would hinder the autograph seekers.

 

That last paragraph is hilarious.  Maybe they should put signs up in bars that alcoholic beverages are present or a sign in McDonald's saying that the food is unhealthy.  I am sorry but I guess I still believe in personal responsibility.  If you go to a game and purposely sit that close, you assume the risk.  If you need to be reminded of that, maybe you shouldn't sit there. 

[Vanimal46]

I think a more effective strategy for this communication plan is to send text messages instead. Since, you know, a majority of fan injuries are a result of them taking selfies and posting them on instagram.  

[Seth Stohs]

I'm 100% in favor of these changes... I've seen so many people hurt by line drives, and every time, I wonder how people don't die. I'm glad MLB is saying, let's be proactive before something does happen.

 

We can blame phones or not 100% paying attention. However MLB's rules state that there has to be netting anywhere within 70 feet. With the Twins dugouts so close, that's a lot within 70- feet (or close to it)... Consider a pitcher is just under 60 feet from the plate and a great athlete and even they can't always protect themselves. I don't care how close a person is paying attention, at 70-100 feet even, you can still get drilled.

 

 

[Mike Sixel]

Despite my first post, I like more netting, if it doesn't hinder views.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I think a more effective strategy for this communication plan is to send text messages instead. Since, you know, a majority of fan injuries are a result of them taking selfies and posting them on instagram.  

What if I am injured by a foul ball while looking at my phone to read the Twins text message warning about foul balls?

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

I think a more effective strategy for this communication plan is to send text messages instead. Since, you know, a majority of fan injuries are a result of them taking selfies and posting them on instagram.  

Is there data on this? I would love to see it.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

People in those sections, and even down foul lines, just don't understand how hard those batted balls are coming. It's great to say they assume the risk, but honestly a majority of people really have no idea. 

[Loosey]

If you don't assume that risk and are sitting there it is pretty obvious you probably don't want baseball on TV or at games at all.  I'm torn about the decision to put up netting 1) It will obstruct views in some manner and to some degree, BUT 2) There are people who don't recognize the risk who could be saved by these nets.

 

I was offered seats down there last year for my wife and 4 year old son.  I declined them and one of the reasons being my kid doesn't sit still or pay attention and I would be focusing more attention on him than on the game (Which is the case in any seats with my son).  But I would rather do that farther away from play than 80 feet from the plate where there is a chance my wife, son or I could get smoked by 100 MPH baseball.  But that's just me, I'm sure many others would love the opportunity to be that close to the game family and all.

[Vanimal46]

 

Is there data on this? I would love to see it.

No, it was merely a joke. I did however, find an article about Dangers at the Ballpark related to the messaging being put on Twins tickets now. It's a way for the Twins to protect themselves from personal injury lawsuits from injured fans, that they assume the risk of sitting in those seats. 

More netting is fine by me. I'm sure it will prevent hundreds of fan injuries. 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

No, it was merely a joke. I did however, find an article about Dangers at the Ballpark related to the messaging being put on Twins tickets now. It's a way for the Twins to protect themselves from personal injury lawsuits from injured fans, that they assume the risk of sitting in those seats. 

More netting is fine by me. I'm sure it will prevent hundreds of fan injuries. 

Sorry to be snarky. You hear too much from radio curmudgeons about "kids on their cellphones these days" when actually smartphones are a pretty necessary device for kids to carry with them now. 

 

Up to now, I don't think MLB teams have ever been at risk of being sued by a fan injured at the park. The law has been pretty clear and teams have no liability. It took a mind shift to finally get this done.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I was offered seats down there last year for my wife and 4 year old son.  I declined them and one of the reasons being my kid doesn't sit still or pay attention and I would be focusing more attention on him than on the game (Which is the case in any seats with my son).  But I would rather do that farther away from play than 80 feet from the plate where there is a chance my wife, son or I could get smoked by 100 MPH baseball.  But that's just me, I'm sure many others would love the opportunity to be that close to the game family and all.

I've done it, definitely advisable to have 2 parents/adults present though so one can be on "watch" at all times (my wife gladly gives me that duty).  Can be rewarding, the kid can actually see the players up close, and we've gotten a few baseballs tossed to us between innings.

[Vanimal46]

 

Sorry to be snarky. You hear too much from radio curmudgeons about "kids on their cellphones these days" when actually smartphones are a pretty necessary device for kids to carry with them now. 

 

Up to now, I don't think MLB teams have ever been at risk of being sued by a fan injured at the park. The law has been pretty clear and teams have no liability. It took a mind shift to finally get this done.

 

That's alright Hosken, I can handle snarky. I'll still count on you to be a regular caller when Minnesota Twins Whine Line is back for season #2 in April  

[spanman2]

 

What if I am injured by a foul ball while looking at my phone to read the Twins text message warning about foul balls?

IALTO

[Loosey]

 

I've done it, definitely advisable to have 2 parents/adults present though so one can be on "watch" at all times (my wife gladly gives me that duty).  Can be rewarding, the kid can actually see the players up close, and we've gotten a few baseballs tossed to us between innings.

At this point he is more interested in seeing TC Bear up close than any of the players.

[Reider]

While I agree that these safety measures will protect a lot of people right behind the dugout, I like to sit low between home plate and first base and I do not want to spend that kind of money to have my view obstructed by a net.

 

Hopefully the net is low enough that it isn't too obstructive for the fans sitting low in sections 109 and 110 etc..

[dgwills]

 

What if I am injured by a foul ball while looking at my phone to read the Twins text message warning about foul balls?

You'd probably end up getting into some debates about the definition of irony.

[Craig Arko]

Sounds like I should retain counsel before attending a game.

[nicksaviking]

Shoot. I was really hoping the safety precautions were going to be signing pitchers that could miss bats and thus fewer balls would be put in the stands.

 

Come on, let's fix this problem at it's root!

[Halsey Hall]

I'm all for it and it's about time.  This will save a lot of ouchies.  It took me several times to not reach for a screaming ball and getting a stinging hand.  Those balls are hard!  It's amazing someone hasn't been killed dead on the spot by now. 

[James]

I went to a baseball game in Tokyo back in 2010, and they had nets pretty much right up to 1st/3rd base.  I don't think that the baseballs are hit any harder in Japan, but they felt the need to put up the nets.  

 

This really isn't an attention issue for me though.  If a ball is hit on a line drive at 100mph, it will travel 70 feet in under half a second, and those are the people that are farthest away and still protected by the net.  I'm all for paying attention to the game, but many people don't have those kinds of reflexes.