Baseball fans, like fans of all spectator events that came before it, organically developed the desire to witness the action with the best possible view. In the truly American game that grew with the prosperity of our nation, fans have overwhelmingly been content to position themselves behind the first and third base dugouts and baselines, at times in traditional box seats, where there is no barrier between them and the game.
Part of the appeal of getting such “good seats” is the ability to watch the flow of action unimpeded by any netting or screen. Another part of the appeal is shown in the way fans continue to attack foul balls everytime they come remotely close. Despite renewed appeals from the “know-better” crowd, watching baseball behind immense screens that cover much of the field substantially decreases the experience of absorbing the beauty of our pastime.
Visiting Citi Field to watch a New York Mets game after ubiquitous netting was installed after the all-star break was dispiriting for a purist such as myself. Seeing that ugly dark screen stretch high and far into the outfield makes a patron quickly realize that the best possible view is now from the outfield, where no barrier stands between fan and game.
It should not be lost that the more screen there is, the more fans in all areas of the stadium, including the upper reaches, are encumbered by having to watch segments of the game through a screen. For many, the only screen they want to see the game through is their TV.
Before baseball clubs cave into demands driven by “progressive” members of the press who do not pay for tickets, owners should take a moment to reflect what the majority of fans want.
The New York Yankees did exactly that. As was widely reported, Chief Operating Officer Lonn Trost took the common-sense action of reaching out to season ticket holders and actually asking their opinion. Fans overwhelmingly did not want increased protective barriers. Walk around any stadium and talk to fans, and you will find the same. Fans who regularly attend games should be surveyed again in the lead-up to the next season.
There is also an experiment that can be done to enlighten the issue. In the coming season, a team should leave one side of the field exactly as it is, say the first base side. The same team should cover the third base side with the type of netting that goes beyond the third base dugout and into left field. Then the public should be allowed to choose where to seat themselves. The press, politicians, fans, and owners would then be able to observe where paying customers would assuredly choose to position themselves.
Baseball is unique in sports given how each stadium differs in its dimensions. This is why the commissioner leaves it to each team to make decisions regarding netting and other safety matters. Nevertheless, just before the 2016 season, the central office made a recommendation that screening should go up to the near side of the dugout. It did not always go that far, but that benchmark stuck a fair balance.
The risk of injury from foul balls can easily be avoided for those with concerns. This is the part of the debate that critics fail to acknowledge, as it actually imposes personal responsibility on the ticket buyer. There are plenty of places to situate oneself in a stadium. You can be as far away or as close to the action as your wallet and seat availability will allow. If you have younger children, it is perfectly reasonable to position your family in an area that is less prone to lined shots.
There have always been greater dangers around us each day than a foul ball hit at a baseball game. Playing actual sports, for all its health benefits, carries the risk of a full range of injuries. Just driving home from a baseball game carries more potential for harm than being at the game ever did. Even fights between fans and errant slips and falls have proven to be more of a danger than foul balls. And nobody will ever be more vulnerable than the pitcher, standing defenseless just 60 feet and 6 inches away from homeplate.
We all have to face risk in anything we do. Baseball fans, by and large, desire to accept the risk of watching the game as it was meant to be seen — live and without a barrier.
Sean Strockyj is a contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog. He is a writer and sports fan from New Hyde Park, N.Y.
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