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| A rendering shows how the netting extension at Nationals Park will affect seats near the dugouts. |
Major League Baseball’s new, expanded compensation provisions have not resulted in an overwhelming number of ticket relocation requests so far, but the topic promises to remain at the forefront as the season approaches. 2016 season.
Many surveyed teams reported moving a small number of season ticket holder accounts, typically fewer than 10 per club, following new MLB recommendations released in December that encouraged clubs to expand the safety net at ground level behind at least
the near edges of each dugout and other areas within 70 feet of home plate. But questions from fans continue to pour into team offices about the potential effects on the in-stadium experience. Many clubs are in the final stages of installing and testing their extended netting and are expected to be completed later this month.
“This is a very common problem among our customers. Definitely a lot of mixed opinions,” said Sam Kennedy, president of the Boston Red Sox. The club, which last June saw a fan seriously injured at Fenway Park due to a broken bat, has moved four season-ticket holder accounts so far after the new compensation guidelines were released. “We recognize that this could happen more as we get closer to opening day. But the most important thing is that we will work hard to maintain the connection between the fans and the players, even with the nets.
Major fan concerns about net widening cited by teams include fear of no longer being able to receive foul balls or balls thrown into the stands between innings by players and coaches, and reduced opportunities for autographs. As a result, team officials said they are already encouraging players to make extra effort to throw balls over the new nets and interact with fans in affected areas where appropriate.
“It’s certainly a hot topic,” said Dave St. Peter, president of the Minnesota Twins, who moved six season-ticket accounts. The Twins are one of a handful of clubs that have extended their netting to the ends of their dugouts at Target Field. “No one disagrees with the security debate that is at the heart of all this. But there are concerns about potential disruption to the gaming experience and player interaction, and we are currently working on it.
Several fans were injured last year at MLB ballparks by balls and bats. These incidents helped spark an in-depth study by the league into the netting issue, the release of new recommendations in December and the hiring of stadium architecture firm Populous as a consultant to help with the design and implementation. installation of increased net.
Net sizes vary by league, and a key part of the challenge for MLB has been developing some type of standardized solution for field dimensions and facility sizes that are unique in each market. But for clubs that have chosen to extend their netting to the ends of their dugouts, a height of 6 to 8 feet from the top of the dugout is common.
Many MLB clubs have increased opportunities for season ticket holders to come to the stadium during the offseason and see their seats with the expanded netting at least partially installed.
The installation and design of the deployed net itself also gave rise to some solutions not originally considered. The Washington Nationals will use an angled design at Nationals Park in which its enlarged netting slopes downward above each dugout. The Kansas City Royals have a similar design for Kauffman Stadium. The Texas Rangers are developing a protocol for Globe Life Park in which a portion of the increased netting will be lowered during batting practice, when fans’ desire for access to balls and autograph opportunities is increased and increased for games .
“We think we have a solution that we’re going to try that will balance all the interests,” said Rob Matwick, the Rangers’ executive vice president of business operations.
Club executives said the details and data regarding compensation recommendations provided by the league had helped them in their dialogue with season ticket holders.
“They really did their homework on this. There was a lot of vetting and a high degree of sophistication around the recommendations,” said Rick Schlesinger, chief operating officer of the Milwaukee Brewers. “It has helped a lot, and fans generally understand that we are all trying to balance their safety and preserve the essence of what it means to attend a baseball game.”
Several clubs have also made a point of seeking a thinner and lighter “knotless” net, which still meets the recommendations of the new league but which obstructs the view less than more traditional nets.
“There’s better equipment out there now, and that’s really helped a lot throughout this whole process,” said Michael Stiles, chief operating officer of the Philadelphia Phillies.
