An upsetting incident took place during Wednesday’s game between the Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros, where a young fan was struck by a foul ball off the bat of Albert Almora Jr.
MLB said in a statement it sends its “best wishes to the child and family involved.” It noted that clubs have “significantly expanded netting and their inventory of protected seats in recent years,” and the league will continue its “efforts on this important issue.”
Almora Jr. was extremely upset and visibly distraught, having to be comforted by his teammates and even a security guard. Afterward, he was asked if he thinks the netting should be expanded.
”Right now, obviously, I want to put a net around the whole stadium,” he said after the game.
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone agrees.
”It’s something that going back to my playing days, a handful of times a year you have that scary moment,” he said. ”When my wife and I started having kids and the first time they were in a park, one of my first things was make sure you’re sitting in a place where A) you’re paying attention or B) you’re protected. So, yeah, it can be a scary situation and I think it’s important that we do all we can to protect our fans.”
