Fan safety at MLB games has been under the microscope lately, and legal action from a Fenway Park attendee is set to intensify discussion about the issue.
According to the Boston Globe‘s Travis Andersen, Stephanie Taubin is suing Boston Red Sox owner John Henry after she was struck by a foul ball last season while sitting above home plate.
Per Andersen, Taubin was sitting in a section that was undergoing renovations, and as a result, protective glass designed to prevent airborne objects from striking fans was not in its usual place. According to court documents filed by Taubin, the absence of glass left her seating “at greater risk of foul balls entering that [section] of Fenway Park.”
In a statement provided to the Boston Globe, the franchise reiterated that “the safety of Red Sox fans and providing a quality ballpark experience are essential to the Red Sox, and to Mr. Henry, and are goals for which we strive as an organization to deliver.”
While the monetary components of Taubin’s suit against Henry have yet to be reported, her filing comes at a time when MLB franchises are starting to examine the merits of enhanced protective measures for fans.
Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reported Wednesday the Philadelphia Phillies are interested in installing more protective netting, although plans have yet to be finalized.
The lawsuit comes on the heels of a similar incident at Fenway Park back in June. According to the Boston Globe, a woman was injured when the bat of Oakland A’s third baseman Brett Lawrie shattered and struck her in the head.
While her injuries were originally believed to be “life-threatening,” according to the Boston Globe, the woman was released from the hospital and underwent an “excellent” recovery, per the Associated Press (via Fox Sports).
Sweeping measures have yet to be enacted to combat the issue, but Rosenthal reported MLB is “working diligently” on viable improvements to fan safety across the league, according to league spokesman Pat Courtney.
It appears the league is taking positive steps toward the protection of its fans with the postseason approaching.
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