MLB Off-Topic

[TheMatrix31]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Better that than an unobstructed foul ball straight back at 90 MPH.

Sure. Which is why I wouldn't sit there if there wasn't netting. My responsibility. A novel concept, I know.

A ball could hit me anywhere in the stadium, anyway. I was on the 3rd level at a game recently and we got multiple balls fouled back in our section. They were flying.

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Sure. Which is why I wouldn't sit there if there wasn't netting. My responsibility. A novel concept, I know.

A ball could hit me anywhere in the stadium, anyway. I was on the 3rd level at a game recently and we got multiple balls fouled back in our section. They were flying.

Here's the problem with the Libertarian argument about these things...not everyone is as responsible and awesome as TheMatrix31. There are old people, and people on medication with decreased reaction time, and children to name a few. And there are the hordes of people who spend most of their time looking at their phones at the game. GOOD LUCK getting them to stop doing that. And GOOD LUCK keeping them from suing your facility/club when they do get hurt while not paying attention.

And here's the beauty of the whole issue, people are free to choose their seat! So people who hate looking through nets can choose accordingly.

From MLB's perspective it's just not an acceptable risk to take anymore for a marginally better view. It's also the moral thing to do. People shouldn't have to experience even a remote possibility of potentially life-threatening injuries while enjoying a game.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

If you start legislating based on morality and feeling, you're opening up a whole can of worms.

Why don't they just string nets all around the stadium then?

Hey, you're right. Good luck to them. It's also their responsibility to pay attention at all times.

Believe me, I don't care about this nearly as much as it may seem. I prefer sitting in the first row of the third deck somewhere between home plate and first or third. It gives me the best vantage point to actually enjoy the game.

[ImTellinTim]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

The problem in those areas just around the current nets is that you can be paying full attention and there's nothing you can do if a shattered bat or rocket foul ball comes at you. It's a no-brainer in my mind. Surprised it took this long to be honest.

[Blzer]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Better that than an unobstructed foul ball straight back at 90 MPH.

I think the point is going right over your head......... or is being stopped by a net, either way.

Seats have less value where obstructing items are erected, period. I'm not saying a net shouldn't be there, I'm saying I shouldn't be there. Matrix is saying the same thing.

And this is coming through a guy who is going through a 13-month long ongoing concussion from being struck by a line drive when I was 25 feet away from the action. I didn't have a net in front of me, it was the dumbest mistake of my life and I'm aware of that. But I was defenseless. If I'm behind a dugout, there are defensive protocols that I, as a fan, feel like I have where I am willing to pay the possible price of a ball killing me if it means I'm getting my money's worth. No, I'm not saying I'm willing to die to watch a baseball game. I'm saying it won't happen. And if it ended up doing it, you can't say "I told you so," I'll be dead. I would have learned my lesson too late.

What point am I making? Same one I was making with base coaches and helmets years ago. There's nothing new about this sport that should make anyone believe that nets should suddenly be erected now. Where were these nets 20 years ago? Sure, newer stadiums are closer to the action... but while most of you are probably saying that the MLB is now "getting smart," I say they are just "realizing how stupid they were." And no, don't make this analogous to the fact that batting helmets weren't around in the 1920s. That's not the point that's trying to be made here, and I think you all know that before becoming snide about preparing a rebuttal.

Now, I have no problem with what they're doing right now. For one, it's a recommendation and not a requirement. Should have been this way with the base coach helmets as well. For another, they are basically saying up until the point of the dugouts. That sounds fair as well. If they came out and required that they go into the area behind the dugouts, you'd really see me throwing a fit. The reason is because they are too busy protecting the fans, yet they don't much care about protecting their own players, and are creating too much of a double-standard. If they did this, then the dugouts should have full protection as well. You can't address the safety of fans without addressing the players who are even closer to the action.

Let's put it this way: the NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations) mandated last year that all high school softball base coaches in the state of California wear helmets. The reason is that all members at a facility are required to be protected by a helmet, glove, or chain-link fence. Okay, that's nice... so what about the photographer who is getting live action and is in play, with no protection whatsoever. The camera being protection sounds bullish and there isn't always an assurance that they are even directed toward the ball itself, plus he has tunneled his vision the second he looked through the viewfinder. What, no love for the cameraman? It's okay that he gets killed, but not a base coach? This is a clear-cut example of hypocrisy, and a poor implementation of a rule.

Anyway, I'm not concerned that they are doing this at all. The way they stated it was perfect. But some people here seem to be under the notion that I wish there weren't nets right behind home plate. That would be just stupid. And before you ask me what the difference is, let me tell you. Besides proximity, foul tips are caused by heavy top-spin, and are assuredly as fast as the pitch that was thrown, if not faster. It just doesn't work the same. The stands without netting for the most part satisfy at least two of three conditions: 1) line drives are hit there very rarely on occasion; 2) the exit velocity won't match that of a comebacker to the pitcher, nor is it coming with the same impact because of the angle of deflection off the bat; 3) its distance is farther than that of a base coach's standpoint.

My points won't be valid for somebody who is trying to advocate for more safety, but as a fan of those seats, I prefer the openness of the sides as opposed to right behind home plate with the netting. I'm not posting this to try and win a debate, I know that I can't. I don't want my point to become moot to the majority of people here or to the MLB, though. You want assurance of protection? Go to the upper deck, or stay home. Proximity to the action shouldn't be the only factor in the value of a seat, immersion with the on-field play should though. A net should nearly halve the value of the seat you're in.

[kehlis]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

The prices of those seats contradicts any point you make about them having less value.

[dickey1331]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I'm not sure whats more annoying the nets or the stupid bar when you're in the front rows that MLB or any sporting event makes so damn high.

I understand not wanting to let someone fall but there gets to a point where natural selection comes into play.

[Blzer]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

The prices of those seats contradicts any point you make about them having less value.

That's what I'm saying they should be.

[LowerWolf]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Tommy Hanson's death ruled a cocaine overdose.

http://www.11alive.com/story/news/local/2015/12/11/former-braves-pitcher-tommy-hanson-died-cocaine-use/77145444/

[Blzer]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Tommy Hanson's death ruled a cocaine overdose.

http://www.11alive.com/story/news/lo...-use/77145444/

Ugh, that's just too bad.

[LambertandHam]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Tommy Hanson's death ruled a cocaine overdose.

http://www.11alive.com/story/news/lo...-use/77145444/

Aww man

[SPTO]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Tommy Hanson's death ruled a cocaine overdose.

http://www.11alive.com/story/news/lo...-use/77145444/

Aw jeeez

[Mabster]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

That sucks. I listened to the clip of the 911 tape too. I don't know why. I hate knowing details like that.

[Sportsforever]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Tommy Hanson's death ruled a cocaine overdose.

http://www.11alive.com/story/news/lo...-use/77145444/

This is really sad...but I wonder if this is why his career derailed. He wouldn't be the first guy who threw away his talent because he couldn't lay off drugs.

[19]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

No dice on reinstatement for Pete Rose.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/15/sp...fred.html?_r=0