The Lakewood BlueClaws (Low A; Sally League) have joined the group of teams extending protective netting, as the club has installed additional netting at FirstEnergy Park.
Since the conclusion of the 2017 season, a variety of teams around baseball have announced plans to extend protective netting before the 2018 campaign begins. While this trend has been particularly evident at the major league level, it is also unfolding at various spring training facilities and minor league ballparks.
In the case of the BlueClaws, the team has extended its protective netting to the far ends of both dugouts. More from the Asbury Park Press:
The move, which will keep more foul balls out of the stands and fans safer in their seats, was done in October said Greg Giombarrese, director of communications for the BlueClaws.
“The nets are 36-feet high and run from the far end of the third base dugout to the far end of the first base dugout, meaning fans sitting behind the dugouts are now behind the net,” said Giombarrese.
As noted, numerous teams at the minor league level will install extended protective netting before the 2018 season begins. Numerous teams revealed plans to do so over the final months of 2017, and since the new year began we have covered announcements of extended netting from the BlueClaws, Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League), and the Lake County Captains (Low A; Midwest League).