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
Hit by a bat!!!!
I was at a Cardinals game this year and sit 3 rows behind the dugout! There was a sign saying “watch out for foul balls and bats”! I was hit by a broken bat from Yadier Molina, the ushers were prompt getting to me and making sure that I was alright. I did receive a cut on my forearm, although nothing requiring medical attention. What I’m saying is, I knew the risk, but I paid attention while the teams were batting. So, to say that the team or the owners of the stadium is at fault is ridiculous. If you do not want to get hit by a bat or ball, stay home and watch it own TV!
dan brewer | 9 months, 2 weeks ago
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FAN
I CAN NOT BELEIVE THAT SOMEONE WOULD EVEN THINK THAT BASEBALL SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR INJURYS.SHE SHOULD FEEL LUCKY THAT SHE GOT TO TOUCH A BALL.I SAY BRING A MIT NEXT TIME AND CATCH IT WITH IT, NOT YOUR FACE.
MIKE GREGOR | 6 months, 4 weeks ago
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Hit by a ball!
I think that the people who are leaving comments about “paying attention” and that it is the “risk you take” have never been hit by a bat or ball at a game!
I was also hit in the face by a foul ball a few weeks ago. I was paying attention and watching the ball fly over my head behind me and when I turned around to see where it was going it bounced off the concrete steps behind me and came back and hit me square in the nose. It happened so fast and close that I didn’t have time to block it.
Blood was pouring out and I also had a gash at the bridge of my nose which the EMT’s thought I might need stitches and recommended I go to the ER to see if it was also broke. My husband drove my to the ER (So I missed the rest of the game with my family). They gave me an ice pack, and the Dr. closed the gap with what I call super-glue (I forgot the real name) instead of stitches.
Now, I opened my mail and have a $900 bill to pay for. This is after insurance!!! I didn’t even get the x-ray because of the cost and if it was broke there was nothing they could do about it anyway. It was $200 just for the glue they used and $850 just for the ER visit. I understand that there is risk for doing things but if someone came to my house and fell down and hurt themselves, I would be responsible for some of it. That’s partly why we have homeowners insurance. You’d at least think they’d give me a free ticket for another game! My husband is a teacher and I am a stay-home mom of 3. We thought we could go out to a game for some fun family time and now it cost us over $1000 that we don’t have. Also, my kids were very scared after this. I was very calm about it but they were still very shocked!
Valerie Briggs | 6 months, 3 weeks ago
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You're There To Watch The Game
My family and I often sit in seats at major league and minor league games right behind the dugouts and evertime we go I tell my family to keep an eye on the game at all times and especially the ball. We are there to see a baseball game after all which means we have to watch it. Another thinng I do as a precaution is I sit in the seat closest to home plate so I will be the one that gets hit if anything, because like I said before, we go to actually watch the game. I never take my off the ball. If I wanted to go somewhere to just sit and chat then we would choose somewhere else, not somewhere where a part of the event are hard flying objects.
My point is, if you go to a game, watch it. Check your phone or scoreboard in between innings or batters. Not much changes during an at bat and you what changes there are if you are watching.
Justin Levesque | 6 months ago
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Signs or other noticable warnings
I think that the issue is not in the danger of the game or the choise of the viewer, but that thw viewer may be unaware that there is any danger. This might seem strange to some and clear to others, but there should at least be signs or advertisments of this in at least one place so most people will see it. It is very unlikely for these things to happen, but a general awareness of people who dont bother reading the small print on a ticket.
I go to a game to watch baseball, not get hit in the face with one.
...................... | 3 months ago
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Bubble Wrap for Dummies
You are kidding, right? It’s too bad this fan was injured, and I hope she received prompt, competent medical care. However, holding someone else liable because she did not bother to read about the risks she was taking, or even using common sense to figure out the risk on her own, is not the fault of anyone but herself. I have attended countless baseball games, and always make it a point to pay attention. If I wasn’t paying attention, and got hurt, that’s my own fault. Where would you draw the line on additional netting? What if the ball goes over the net? Make it taller? What about home run balls? Put netting in the outfield? You can get hurt walking up and down the stadium stairs. Better put all seating on a single level. If she wanted to watch the game free of injury risk, she should have stayed home and watched it on television. Just don’t sprain your finger using the remote.
Paul Rhoades | 1 month, 1 week ago
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Past Baseball League President.
Its a ballpark owners responsibility to keep the area safe. Players have been trained to look for and catch anything, normally baseballs, coming at them. Not all the fans have this ability. Players have helmets, gloves, pads and masks for protection. The fan needs the net!
Joe M. Sanchez | 1 month ago
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n/a
when you go to a baseball game of any kind it is up to you to watch and protect yourself it does not make a difference if it is a major league game, little league game ,or just a lot game. FANS BEWARE OF FOUL BALLS AND LOOSE BATS
edward r vagnini | 1 month ago
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fan
I just wish I could aford to have a great seat like that lady had.This is part of live baseball games You have to expect that a ball or bat my come your way.I would love to have a great seat.Carl
carl powell | 1 day, 9 hours ago
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