2024 News and Events

Watch Jordan Skopp and a panel discussing the historical problem of foul balls injuring fans and why some teams are still reluctant to put up protective netting in major leagues, minor leagues, partner leagues and college ballparks.

Highlighted Articles in the Media

“Smokies sued after woman struck by line drive” - The Mountain Press
An Ohio woman has sued the Tennessee Smokies asking for compensation for facial reconstruction surgery she said she needed after she was struck by a line drive at a 2022 game. Deborah Kay Roberts has paid more than $100,000 in medical bills as she recovered from injuries she suffered in the April 20, 2022 incident, according to a complaint she filed in the U.S. District Court in Knoxville. Read more… By Jeff Farrell, Staff Writer (Aug 22, 2023)
“Illinois Baseball Fan Cries Foul Over Team's No-Net Ballpark” - Law 360
A Peoria, Illinois, resident who was injured by a foul ball 12 years ago has filed a proposed class action against the Peoria Chiefs minor league baseball club in state court alleging its failure to install netting at its ballpark places fans in danger of serious injury. The Chiefs' Dozer Park is one of the few left in both the minor and major leagues that does not have netting behind its dugouts to protect fans. Read more… By Elaine Briseño, Law360 (July 28, 2023)
"After Numerous Foul Ball Fan Injuries, Baseball Reconsiders Protective Netting" - NPR
“What a Foul Ball Can Do” - Deadspin

“We watched 906 foul balls to find out where the most dangerous ones land”- FiveThirtyEight

Watch this Shocking Video

Time for MLB to mandate netting at all stadiums

This ESPN piece from 2019 by Jeremy Schaap is still relevant as dangerous conditions continue in dozens of minor league ballparks, and fans continue to face injury in the MLB stadiums as well.