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SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake Bees are hoping things will be a bit safer at the ballpark this year.
Over the last year, a number of Major League teams have opted to extend protective netting in their ballpark to help ensure that unfortunate incidents that plagued some MLB games last year involving fans getting hit by stray foul balls became a thing of the past.
And now, the Bees are doing the same thing.
The Salt Lake Bees and Salt Lake City have begun construction to extend the protective netting at Smith’s Ballpark, the team announced on Friday. The protective nets will nearly go to each foul pole down the right and left-field lines.
“Fan experience at Smith’s Ballpark is always a top priority and that includes fan safety,” said Bees President Marc Amicone in a statement. “We are grateful for our partnership with Salt Lake City that allows us to make upgrades to the ballpark that will ensure a safe environment while enjoying our national pastime.”
Last season, Cubs outfielder Albert Almora Jr. was brought to tears after his scorching foul ball hit a young girl in the stands. Four days later, a young child needed a hospital visit after getting hit by a foul ball during a minor league game in Indianapolis. Those incidents — and many more like them —made many teams up the safety at their parks, extending the nets.
The net extension at Smith’s Ballpark will be the same type of net that is currently stretching from the end of each dugout. The team says that it allows for 95% spectator visibility. For the team, that’s a small price to pay for safety.
The net will retract in sections 6 and 7 on the first base side and 19 and 20 on the third-base side prior to games to preserve fan and player interactions.
The extension is scheduled to finish in early March and should be in place for the first baseball game of the year at the ballpark on March 17 between the University of Utah and Utah Valley University. The Bees home opener will be on April 9.
