SAN FRANCISCO (KRON/AP) — An Oakland A’s season ticket-holder is behind a federal lawsuit filed in San Francisco on Monday that aims to force Major League Baseball to expand protective netting on its fields to protect fans from flying bats and balls.
The lawsuit does not ask for monetary damages. Instead, it wants the court to compel MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred to install netting from foul pole to foul pole to extend protective screening all the way down the first- and third-base lines. Currently screens typically cover only a few sections behind the plate.
The commissioner’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The proposed class action was filed on behalf of A’s season ticket-holder Gail Payne. A website asks other season ticket-holders to contact the Seattle-based law firm handling the case, Hagens Berman.
Last month, a fan suffered serious injuries after being hit by a broken bat during a game between the A’s and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. And just last week a fan was hospitalized after being hit by a foul ball at Miller Park in Milwaukee, where the Brewers were playing the Atlanta Braves.