MLB Commissioner Talks Fan Safety At Phils Game Hours Before Fan Struck In Head With Foul Ball
By Mike DeNardo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- The debate over screens to protect fans at major league ballparks was amplified last night at Citizens Bank Park, when a fan was struck by a foul ball - with the baseball commissioner in the house.
People yesterday were already talking about whether extended screens were necessary to protect fans from foul balls or flying bats -- after Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reported that the Phillies were considering it.
Then, in the second inning, with Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred at the stadium, the Phils' Freddy Galvis fouled off a ball that hit a woman sitting in the Diamond Club in the forehead. She was able to walk to the concourse and the team said she did not need to go to a hospital.
The issue of fan safety was in the headlines earlier this season when a woman was seriously injured when she was struck by a broken bat at Fenway Park.
Manfred, on a tour of big-league cities, was in Philadelphia last night. He downplayed the Fox report, but he says fan safety is something he's seriously concerned about.
"I have talked to the Phillies folks. They have no plans to move ahead immediately on this topic. Having said that, this is a topic that is of serious concern. Not only to me, but more importantly to all 30 owners," Manfred said.
Manfred says his office plans to make recommendation to ownership in November, in time to decide whether extended netting is necessary for next year.
