ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

D-backs CEO Derrick Hall addresses possible added netting

May 30, 2019, 11:03 AM | Updated: 11:32 am


After a young girl was struck by a foul ball and rushed to the hospital at a Cubs-Astros game Wednesday, the league and teams like the Diamondbacks are re-evaluating netting in their respective ballparks.

Cubs outfielder Albert Almora Jr. smoked the line drive foul ball into the seats along the third baseline in the top of the fourth inning, leaving Almora Jr. and the Astros infield shaken. Almora Jr. was shown crying and talking with an Astros security guard following the incident and was still upset after the game.

Players like Cubs third baseman and outfielder Kris Bryant have already called for additional netting. Diamondbacks president and CEO Derrick Hall offered his condolences and possible solutions Thursday morning.

“Obviously that was a sad situation yesterday,” Hall said on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s Doug & Wolf. “We never want to see any fan get hit, especially a little kid.”

Hall mentioned that the Diamondbacks were among the first MLB teams to extend netting to the end of the dugouts before the season.

But Hall was not as aggressive this time around promoting extended netting, calling it a “league decision.”

“I know right now the commissioner’s office is looking hard at it,” he said.

Hall noted that nets exist from foul pole to foul pole in Japan, and attendance has not been affected in those leagues by the increased safety measures whatsoever.

“If we believe that’s what it’s going to take to keep our fans safe, then we’ll probably extend it even more,” he said.

Hall’s view on the matter certainly comes with experience. He has been struck with a ball and bat, and his daughter was once struck in the head by a foul ball as well.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Jordan Montgomery throws a pitch...

Tyler Drake

Hall: Diamondbacks’ addition of Jordan Montgomery ‘made a lot of sense’

The Diamondbacks' addition of Jordan Montgomery puts a bow on a rotation that should be in the conversation for the top spot across MLB.

51 minutes ago

Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno...

Arizona Sports

Roundtable picks: One Diamondbacks young player to watch in 2024

Which Arizona Diamondbacks player should continue an upward trend in 2024? Gabriel Moreno, Brandon Pfaadt and Alek Thomas are possibilities.

2 hours ago

Chase Field flyover...

Damon Allred

Diamondbacks’ Hall ‘battling’ to keep Chase Field roof open for Opening Day

The roof at Chase Field continues to be a hot button topic, especially after an exhibition game was rained out on Monday.

2 hours ago

Merrill Kelly throws a pitch...

Alex Weiner

Meet the Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2024 Opening Day roster

The Arizona Diamondbacks finalized their 26-man Opening Day roster on Thursday ahead of their matchup against the Rockies.

3 hours ago

Manager Torey Lovullo speaks with Corbin Carroll...

Arizona Sports

Roundtable: Expectations, predictions for the 2024 Arizona Diamondbacks

What are the expectations for the 2024 Arizona Diamondbacks? Arizona Sports show hosts and editors make their predictions.

5 hours ago

Zac Gallen...

Arizona Sports

Diamondbacks agree to TV, cable and satellite channel contracts

The Arizona Diamondbacks will air on linear TV channels as well as streams under an MLB-produced broadcast partnership in 2024.

8 hours ago

D-backs CEO Derrick Hall addresses possible added netting