Tigers will comply with netting recommendations

George Sipple | Detroit Free Press

Show Caption Hide Caption Extended MLB Netting Could Be New The New Norm MLB is encouraging clubs to extend protective netting after a string of incidents in which fans were injured by balls or bats flying into the stands.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tigers general manager Al Avila said the club is already compliant and will continue to be with regard to safety recommendations made by Major League Baseball.

MLB has recommended expanding the number of seats covered by protective netting.

“Obviously the safety of our fans is No. 1,” Avila said. “We have been compliant and we will continue to be compliant as they give out the recommendations and we’ll follow those recommendations.”

Avila said the Tigers haven’t had to put up any special netting at Comerica Par“The Detroit Tigers make the safety of our guests a priority, and the ballclub is already compliant with the Commissioner’s Office’s new recommendations pertaining to netting in front of seating areas. The Tigers will continue to work closely with the Commissioner’s Office on their recommendations for netting and all safety measures at both Comerica Park, and in Lakeland at Joker Marchant Stadium during Spring Training."k since the end of the last season.

The Toledo Mud Hens, the Triple-A affiliate of the Tigers, also announced on Wednesday that they will make safety changes at Fifth Third Field.

“Our fan’s safety is our first priority, so along with the expanded netting, we will also further educate them on the possible dangers of foul balls and flying bats,” Mud Hens general manager Erik Ibsen said in a statement. “We have already begun looking into what it will take to have it completed by the start of the 2016 baseball season.”

Avila said he hasn’t talked to the other affiliates, but said the High A Lakeland Flying Tigers will also be compliant. Lakeland is also spring training home of the Tigers.

“We have been compliant and we will continue to be compliant,” Avila also said of Joker Marchant Stadium.

The Tigers confirmed Avila's comments with a club statement Wednesday night: “The Detroit Tigers make the safety of our guests a priority, and the ballclub is already compliant with the Commissioner’s Office’s new recommendations pertaining to netting in front of seating areas. The Tigers will continue to work closely with the Commissioner’s Office on their recommendations for netting and all safety measures at both Comerica Park, and in Lakeland at Joker Marchant Stadium during Spring Training."