His bill, which is to be introduced this month, would require the netting to be extended to 90 feet from home plate, which should protect fans seated behind both dugouts and slightly up each foul line. He said that such an extension could significantly curtail the harm caused by screaming foul balls and improve the fan experience.

“I’m baffled by why this is such a big issue,” Espinal said. “You have the money to put up the netting. You would avoid the headaches of having to deal with injured fans. Your players would feel less guilty when they go up to bat.”

He added, “Everyone can enjoy the game in peace.”

The Pittsburgh Pirates recently announced that they would extend their netting beyond 70 feet, although only a third of the teams in baseball have done so. The Philadelphia Phillies made their decision after a young girl was struck in the face by a foul ball off the bat of Phillies infielder Freddy Galvis in August. The incident left Galvis shaken.

“What year is this? 2016?” Galvis told reporters after the game. “Fans keep getting hit by foul balls when you’re supposed to have a net to protect the fans. The fans give you the money, so you should protect them, right?”