Article Title:
Yankees Incident Revives an Old Question: How Responsible Are Teams for Foul Ball Injuries?
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Discussion Question(s):
- Should the teams be reliable for the injuries done to the fans in the stands, or is the warning given before the game enough?
- Should there be more protection added to the stadiums in order to further protect fans?
- Should this apply to other sports like basketball, hockey or football where objects can be flung into the stands.
- Should there be more protection in places where foul balls are commonly hit?
- What legal action are the fans allowed to take when injured, based off the fact that the stadiums do give warnings about foul balls and other projectiles.
I think that teams shouldn’t be held accountable to injuries in the stands, but I do think that they should expand netting further down the line. Given the incredibly thin netting that teams can use, I don’t think that adding in netting would significantly alter the experience of a baseball game. In the case of the young child who got hit at the Yankees game, I feel like the parent is negligent and should have been more alert to protect his daughter. What MLB is considering feels different than what other sports could do. I don’t think that the NHL should make their walls go higher, because the experience is significantly changing. When a simple adjustment can be made, I think that they should go ahead and make it. I believe that there is a pretty clear precedent of legal action in baseball games not resulting in successful lawsuits because there is so much uncertainty in a baseball game. To me, allowing trials and suits walks the league down a slippery slope.
ReplyDeleteFor the most part, sports teams should not be held accountable for injuries caused by foul balls or other projectiles because fans should be attentive enough to at least know what is happening in a game. However, in areas like behind or around home plate in baseball, it is reasonable to see why a foul ball wouldn't be as well noticed, so netting is needed. But in the farther places more out of the way of foul balls, people shouldn't rely on netting but rather pay attention and have the wherewithal to move out of the way of a foul ball or flying object. Overall the blame of a foul ball or flying object hitting a fan should not be put on the shoulders of the team involved.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be completely unfair to teams to be responsible for fans getting injured at their games from foul balls. First of all, you're going to a sports game, objects flying through the air are inevitable, and there are plenty of warnings at all the seats that have a chance to get hit at games. I guess they could make it so there are more nets around the stadium but that just makes viewing harder, and people would start to complain about that instead. If people don't want to be hit by foul balls, either don't go, sit next to someone who can protect you, or bring a baseball glove. In conclusion people who are getting hit by flying balls should not be able to pursue legal action against the teams involved.
ReplyDeleteI think sports teams should not be held accountable for injuries to fans in the stands. I believe the warning at the beginning of the game is enough, and if a person is really paying attention to the game they should be able to either catch or dodge the projectile. I believe that this applies to all sports because for the same reasons. However, hockey is very different because their is a netting all around the boards as well as glass that is very high, making it hard for a puck to make it over while still going fast enough to hurt someone. I do not think fans should be allowed to take legal action against the teams if they get hurt- that’s why the warning is there in the first place.
ReplyDeleteI do not believe that teams should be reliable. When entering a ballpark, one accepts the legal responsibility of protecting themselves and their children of any ball heading their way. Yes, baseball is a very boring sport, but if one decides to go to a game that is their choice and therefore their own risk. Maybe there should be one protected area for the elderly and those who cannot react to a baseball in the amount of time needed. But then it becomes a question of how much will it cost and where will it be located.
ReplyDeleteI think there definitely needs to be a little more protection especially in the front rows close to home plate. With that being said, I don't think you can blame teams for injuries of the fans. I think when they buy a seat close to home plate, they should be aware of the dangers of balls and bats flying their way at high speeds. I think to blame teams for this, when they give warnings throughout the games, is unfair. I don't think this applies too much to other sports, only because baseballs are hit at such incredibly high speeds.
ReplyDeleteI don't feel teams should be held accountable for accidents like this. Fans sitting in those seats assume the risk of injury. I do however feel there should be more protection for the fans. The MLB should attempt to implement some sort of netting that could stop foul balls without impacting the fans view too much.
ReplyDeleteI think all MLB teams should add more netting because people getting hit during game by balls or bats in a recurring theme each year. The most recent being the one you guys brought up with the girl at the yankees game. She had to be brought to the hospital and you could tell the players were devastated when they saw it happen. They need to put more netting or something up because this happens too much. I think they need something more than netting because it hasn't been that effective.
ReplyDeleteI think that there should be more netting covering the 1st and 3rd baselines down to the pole. This is well worth it because a person can easily die from getting hit with a ball off an MLB bat. Covering the 1st and 3rd baselines will protect all of the fans who are in the hitting zone of foul balls. I don't think that people need to be protected in the 2nd and 3rd decks or the outfield because from the people around you and the person paying attention will realize the ball is coming and you can prepare for it. If, the MLB put nets up everywhere I think it would receive serious backlash from the fans because it disrupts their viewing during the games. This is why I feel that just down the 1st and 3rd baselines is best because the people are really close to the field anyway that the net wouldn't matter and it would protect them.
ReplyDeleteOverall it would be unfair for baseballs teams to be responsible for injuries. Fans know what happens at a baseball game and what to be aware of going into the game. It is too much to ask for to have players watch out and be careful when hitting a foul ball. Teams should be responsible in putting a lot of fencing up to prevent this from happening but this is not always gonna work because there have been many unprecedented circumstances. In conclusion, fans should be aware of the game and what they are getting into before going to the games and make sure to stay alert of foul balls.
ReplyDeleteI feel like the teams should not be held accountable for foul ball injuries. Baseball games are some of the most dangerous between flying bats and balls, and all of the attractions at a stadium other than the game (booths, phones, jumbotron.) People who are going to baseball games have the ability to sit in the higher levels if they are scared of getting hit by a ball. There are many precautions that the fans can take to avoid this if they do not feel they have sufficient reaction times. While I feel like some more should be netted, not all of it, because lots of fans enjoy the thrill of catching a foul ball and taking it home. Lastly, no other sport really needs this protection, because no ball is coming at 100 mph and it is easier to control the other sports balls from going into the stands.
ReplyDeleteShould the teams be reliable for the injuries done to the fans in the stands, or is the warning given before the game enough?
ReplyDeleteFrom a legal standpoint, an announcement or a sign does protect them from any type of injuries or lawsuits. However, I feel like there should be an enhancement in the safety and protection of the spectators. Wether that be putting a net all the down the foul line (pretty extreme), or using a different material other than netting. Not only would this net protect against foul balls, but broken bats as well, which some could argue is more dangerous than a baseball. There have been some instances of a shattered bat being flown into the stands, and it wasn't pretty.
I feel that the warning is sufficient, but people must take it seriously. The event that happened to the little girl was truly awful, but she herself or her parents should have been looking out for her own safety when the ball is hit. I personally think that there should be age limits to places that are in more danger of high velocity balls. This is because older people are better able to sustain an impact, similar to the one the little girl was hit by. I do not think there are any legal actions fans can take, because of the warnings. People are informed about the potential dangers of foul balls and other projectiles. In the end the fact a ball is hit foul it the fault of no one, it is the responsibility of each individual to remain safe.
ReplyDeleteI think a rule like this should be in place for something like hockey since there is an imminent danger if the puck somehow leaves the rink or the glass breaks or something of that nature happens. However, this rule should be in effect for almost all sports, because the randomness of sports and movement is just so hard to justify that you don’t know what will happen if something goes wrong. If a 200 lb basketball player falls on a courtside fan while trying to save a loose ball, the fan can’t do much to retaliate legally against the team since the setup of a basketball court makes it most safe for players the way it currently is. But, these rules should try and help the consumer “fight back” if they do suffer injuries instead of just settling with the team outside of court. After all, the consumers are the ones that basically pay for all the teams revenue and the player’s salaries.
ReplyDeleteShould there be more protection added to the stadiums in order to further protect fans?
ReplyDeleteI think that there should be more protection added to baseball stadiums in order to prevent these horrific injuries from occurring again. However, catching foul balls is a big part of going to the game. It should definitely not be taken out completely and at the same time the players should not be held responsible. It is not completely under their control to know where the ball is heading and what direction it is going in.
Should this apply to other sports like basketball, hockey or football where objects can be flung into the stands.
I think it should definitely apply to hockey or basketball because first of all the ball/puck is much harder and thus can have a stronger impact against the fans and also I think that fans sit closer in basketball and hockey while in football they seem to be further away so it is less likely that they will be hit with a ball. In hockey they have a system which could work for baseball which is the glass, now they don't necessarily have to have a glass but I feel that the net above it would be a good thing for baseball arenas, especially at some places where it could be more likely that a foul ball hits there.
I think that there should be more protection for the fans in the stands because baseball, unlike many other sports, has a crowd that sits widely in the range of the ball. These baseballs can travel at speeds that could, if hit, injure someone terribly or even be fatal. Because of this, and the amount of kids at these games, I believe it is necessary to cut down on any possible openings in the netting, simply to protect the fans. This should not get in the way of the game, and could potentially save lives. Baseball is a family game, and families should not feel unsafe sitting in the crowd watching their favorite players play, and they deserve more protection.
ReplyDeleteIt's really horrible that there is not enough netting for the fans because it puts fans at risk of getting injured when they're just trying to enjoy a game. There should be more protection at this stadium and other stadiums so fans can feel safe. Baseballs travel at speeds as fast as 90 mph, even more, and getting hit by that ball with the density of the ball is extremely damaging. By putting up more netting, people can feel safe and the MLB can avoid lawsuits. Although catching balls is a big part of the game for fans and they look forward to a fly ball coming to them, safety is more important and catching a ball isn't worth your life.
ReplyDeleteI think that teams should not be responsible for injuries done in the stands because when you go to a baseball, regardless of your seats there is always a possibility that a ball or a bat can be coming at you. However I think that every ball park should put reminders on seats and say something on the jumbotron in between every inning. I also think that there should be more protection at every stadium. I think that they should at least be extended past the dugouts. I think most hard hit balls that go into the stands are in this area. I don't think it would be necessary in other sports, definitely not basketball or football. You could argue hockey put I believe that the boards and nets behind the goals are good, if there was to be a change at hockey games I would recommend raising the boards 2-5 feet to secure the fans safety.
ReplyDeleteI think the teams or anyone in the baseball realm should be responsible. People who go to watch these games anticipate these things to happen. On top of this, ball parks have precautions to make it safer such as signs, netting, and announcers. I guess if there really should be something changed, they could potentially add more netting to the spots that aren't covered as well. Overall though, I don't think that legal issues should be brought upon those games for foul balls that they cannot control where they are headed.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion I do not think that the teams should be responsible for the injuries done to the fans, I think that fans should be aware of the risks that can happen before they go to these games. If they know the risks of what can happen and getting injured, they have the option of sitting in a different seat where there is more protection.
ReplyDeleteI also believe that their should be more protection to where foul balls hit so there are not any injuries, fans should be able to have the option to sit close up without worrying if they are going to be injured.