Foul Ball
Laura Kerod had great seats.
She and her husband Kevin were cheering for their local New Jersey minor league baseball team—the Trenton Thunder —sitting enviably close to the dugout.
Ms. Kerod turned to check the score board, then turned back. “And boom, it hit me,” she said of the foul ball that slammed into her face, ripping her lip, shattering her teeth, and fracturing her palate.
Between doctor visits and surgeries, the Kerod’s started contacting politicians and circulating a petition, advocating for changes that would make a trip to the ballpark safer, including more protective netting and medical coverage for injured spectators.
To which baseball officials replied, read your ticket—there’s an inherent risk from stray bats and balls that’s spelled out and also announced before each game.
But baseball has a special appeal to families, countered Mr. Kerod. Kids and parents don’t read their tickets at the baseball stadium. “Families should be able to go there and feel safe,” Mr. Kerod said. “When you go there, you see police, and they’re protecting you from terrorism. Who is protecting us from bats and balls?”
Another New Jersey baseball fan disagreed. “With great seats comes great responsibility” he stated. “You, the spectator, must take personal responsibility for your safety.”
Tell us what you think—should the responsibility for such a serious injury be the responsibility of the fan? Does America’s favorite pastime need to be made safer for the people sitting in the seats?
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Comments
Accidents are Accidents
When are we going to come to the understanding that holding others responsible for our decisions is not the next ticket to wealth. Our society is too quick to blame others and to file suits to make amends. There is danger inherent in life, that is why an accident is just that: an accident. In this case, it is the responsibility of the fan. If a suit were decided on the behalf of the fans, it simply continues to drive up the cost of the rest of us to go to the games. If you want to be safe, hide out in your basement. To experience life is to invite some level of risk.
LibertyJen | 1 year, 8 months ago
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There's no such thing as safety
At the risk of sounding obvious: bats and balls are a requirement of baseball; ‘terrorists’ (who have never, as far as I’m aware, shown up at a baseball game) are not. We can’t deny that Ms. Kerod’s injury is unfortunate. And I don’t think we can deny that she should be properly looked after – by the state or by an insurance policy (the two are, after all, essentially the same). But to take a sport that is inherently fairly safe and try to make it safer is a fool’s errand.
Risk is inherent in everything we do. It is a requirement of the human condition. If we reduced risk to a negligible level – even if it were possible – I’m guessing we’d all lose our marbles.
terry bluntt | 1 year, 8 months ago
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PUT UP A FENCE!!
Where I grew up the seats behind home plate and the seats behind each dugout were protected by a fence that was probably fifteen feet high. I’m thinking they probably did this because SOMEONE GOT HIT!! Isn’t this pretty much just common sense?
terrance tattrie | 1 year, 7 months ago
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No Fences...
I agree with fencing directly behind home plate. Both the Catcher and Umpire wear protection for a reason. In regards to fencing forward of the batter I do not agree. I certainly wouldn’t want to be the season ticket holder, paying top dollar for the best seats, only to find out that I now have an obstructed views because of the fence supports? Like someone mentioned earlier there are certain risks in life and as a fan you should know when to pay attention and when to peek at the scoreboard.
Gene C | 1 year, 7 months ago
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You paid for the good seats, now pay attention!
It’s not on TV. You are at a sporting event where you can get hurt if you aren’t looking at things that could come and hit you in the face. Most ball games I have been to have more foul balls into the stands than they have hits into the park. I don’t think any of the players were looking at the scoreboard when someone was being pitched to. Fans who want to be in on the action with front row seats need to pay attention.
Steve Lord | 1 year, 7 months ago
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I agree wholeheartedly
I couldn’t have said it better. If you buy the tickets, you assume the risk. Pay Attention!
Dani O'Malley | 1 year, 7 months ago
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Personal responsibility
I have to admit some frustration with “they” should make (fill in the blank ) safer, easier, etc. Over the last 50 years of my life I have watched the government, companies, and individuals clamor for more safety, more regulations, more protection, and then hear complaints about “big brother” interference. Anyone who has ever attended a baseball game whether in their own neighborhood, or in an events stadium has seen foul balls fly into the stands. For that matter, there are those who deliberately wear their gloves in the hopes of a “fly” coming their way. Why should we wrap the audience in plastic because someone didn’t bother to read their ticket? (BTW, I do read those silly things) We are warned everyday about liability limits on the back of ticket stubs whether from the ballpark, the dry cleaners or the parking garage where we leave our car. Life has risks, you have to take personal responsibility for the choices you make and the risks you choose and then don’t blame someone when something goes wrong. Stuff happens.
Staceyp-rn | 1 year, 7 months ago
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Accidents are preventable, and there is such a thing as safety. And just because “stuff happens” doesn’t mean it had to happen. Stadium owners have a responsibility to provide a safe environment in which patrons (fans) can enjoy themselves. In my opinion, this responsibility extends to providing adequate netting to protect fans from line drives. There’s a reason players on-deck must wear helmets, and a reason why there’s netting in front of the dug-out as well. This does not absolve fans from their responsibility to act in a safe manner, but I certainly do not expect any fan to watch every pitch, no matter where they are sitting.
While many ballparks are adding additional netting, and I feel all should consider this additional protection, the inclusion of netting or liability for medical expenses should NOT be legislated or forced upon ballpark owners. There is (and should be) a large gap between what is legal and what is responsible.
Daniel Bembower | 1 year, 7 months ago
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from a player point of view
I am a minor league player at the AAA level. I have seen multiple balls go into the seats and I have seen multiple people get hit by foul balls. In fact on opening night (yesterday) a lady got hit in the face by a foul ball and she was on the upper deck behind home plate. The ball went over the backstop net and hit her. What I am getting at is basically what everybody else is saying. When you go to a game, no matter where you sit, you need to pay attention. The one thing I do think needs to be encouraged is an age limit of people allowed to sit right behind the dugout. Families that bring their young kids and sit right behind the dugout are just asking for trouble. The balls and bats go into the stands at an incredible rate and most people cant react fast enough. Just pay attention! Also I agree with the fact that we are quick to blame others. It is definitely not getting us anywhere. It is a freak thing that happened, unfortunately. As we say on the field “hang with em.”
brian duensing | 1 year, 7 months ago
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Choices
Growing up watching the Angels play in Anaheim and as the mother of two sons who play baseball (one pitching at a Division 1 college and the other in high school) I have been a spectator at more than my share of games. There is definitely a risk that one accepts by sitting near a baseball field, and it is in your best interest to pay attention. Yes, there should be appropriate protection at the field to prevent accidents. However, the choice to attend a game is up to the individual attending. I have sat in great seats behind dugouts, knowing that if I failed to pay attention for a moment I was putting myself at risk. I learned more about the game in the process – it helps to know which direction the foul balls are likely to go if the hitter is left or right handed. In most cases, a spectator has a choice in where he or she sits and can limit the risks. There are usually seats available in the upper decks of big stadiums or in the distance at Little League and school fields. Accidents are unfortunate, but it is our choice to participate. I worry about my sons getting hit by a ball being hit off a metal bat, but I understand that it is a risk we choose to accept in order to play the game.
dearsportsmom.com | 1 year, 7 months ago
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