Photo credit: nesn.com

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — This season, all 30 MLB teams will have protective netting in their respective ballpark, which is a debatable subject among baseball fans. It doesn’t matter what team you root for, there are some who think it’s a good idea to prevent future injuries and there are also some who would disagree, thinking it’s nothing more but an overreaction.

Personally, I think that netting isn’t truly necessary at MLB games. Sure, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement: “Providing baseball fans with a variety of seating options when they come to the ballpark, including seats behind protective netting, is important…Major League Clubs are constantly evaluating the coverage and design of their ballpark netting and I am pleased that they are providing fans an increased inventory of protected seats.” But like any other subject, there are pros and cons that come along with it.

The pros are that netting is an easy fix, the statement “pay better attention” is unrealistic and the thought “once is enough” is, well enough. The cons mention that netting is just an “overreaction,” fans should know what they’re getting themselves into and the seeminly indefinite question: “When does it end?”

I have to add my two cents in a belief that should be so obvious that there shouldn’t be a need to say it. But there’s no actual need for netting that extend to at least the far ends of both dugouts because if someone is fortunate enough to be sitting in close seats near home plate, he or she should simply put the phone away and watch the ballgame. During a game, the phone should only be used to capture a photo, video or snap of a significant moment like a grand slam, a no-hitter and vice versa.

It’s not only some fans making arguments on the netting either. San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey has also made an argument without even trying. In June 2016, Posey was batting in the first inning in a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, but the bat flew out of his hands and ended up getting stuck way up in the netting at AT&T Park. Yeah, it was so high that the Giants’ facility crew had to use a ladder to get it back.

To refresh your memory, there have been some dangerous incidents like when a young girl who got injured by a 105 mph foul at Yankee Stadium in September 2017 and a woman who suffered life-threatening injuries after being hit by a broken bat at Fenway Park. It’s unfortunate that situations like these have occurred in the past, but most, if not all, of them could’ve been prevented if someone paid attention to the game because they’re supposed to be there to cheer on their favorite team.

Baseball may be too slow and tedious, but it’s still a sport that’s worth watching live at the ballpark. Play ball!