Sports
Sports

All 30 MLB stadiums to expand netting behind home plate by opening day

In this May 14, 2013, file photo, the Cincinnati Reds take batting practice at Marlins Park before a baseball game against the Miami Marlins in Miami. A person familiar with the decision says the Marlins have been awarded the 2017 All-Star Game, and an announcement by baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred is planned for this week at the team’s ballpark. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
In this May 14, 2013, file photo, the Cincinnati Reds take batting practice at Marlins Park before a baseball game against the Miami Marlins in Miami. A person familiar with the decision says the Marlins have been awarded the 2017 All-Star Game, and an announcement by baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred is planned for this week at the team’s ballpark. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
By Juliakate E Culpepper
Feb 1, 2018

All Major League Baseball parks will expand netting behind home plate to reach the far end of each dugout by opening day, the Associated Press reported Thursday.

The change was implemented after several incidents of fans being hit by foul balls or bats in the areas where netting is not present over the past few seasons.

The MLB recommended expanding nets in December 2015 after several injuries to fans.

The netting at the Atlanta Braves' SunTrust Park already meets these requirements.

About the Author

Juliakate E Culpepper
More Stories

Keep Reading

Georgia State fell to 1-9 on the season and remained winless in Sun Belt play after a 30-18 home loss to Marshall on Saturday. (Stan Awtrey/AJC)

Credit: AJC

Georgia State falls to Marshall in home finale

Georgia State fell to 1-9 on the season with a 30-18 loss to Marshall at home.

Kennesaw State to honor legacy of late coach Amir Abdur-Rahim

When Kennesaw State hosts South Florida on Sunday in a game dubbed “Love Wins,” late coach Amir Abdur-Rahim will be honored during a halftime ceremony.

The Win Column: How to spot sports nonsense

Georgia football coach Kirby Smart did not find twin babies by the side of the road and raise them as his own. Why so much sports-related fan-page slop these days?

The Latest

Georgia State fell to 1-9 on the season and remained winless in Sun Belt play after a 30-18 home loss to Marshall on Saturday. (Stan Awtrey/AJC)

Credit: Stan Awtrey

Georgia State falls to Marshall in home finale

Kennesaw State to honor legacy of late coach Amir Abdur-Rahim

The Win Column: How to spot sports nonsense

Featured

Rose Scott signals as Closer Look goes on air in the WABE studio. An Atlanta resident left WABE a $3 million donation, a boost after WABE lost $1.9 million in annual funding from the Corporation of Public Broadcasting. (Ben Gray / AJC file)

Credit: Ben Gray

Donor leaves WABE $3 million, largest individual gift in station’s history

An Atlanta resident has bequeathed WABE a $3 million donation, the largest one-time individual donation in the nonprofit media operation’s 76-year history.

Usher sues business partners over failed Buckhead restaurant plan

Atlanta singer Usher wants his money back after loaning $1.7 million to music producer Bryan-Michael Cox and others to buy a Buckhead restaurant property for $6.3 million.

Braves’ original ‘Freeze’ is retired. But you probably still can’t catch him.

As the Atlanta Braves prepare to find their next sprinting mascot, Nigel Talton is enjoying his new career coaching high school athletes at McEachern High.