Indians to Add Extended Safety Netting Behind Home Plate This Season

[image-1]The Cleveland Indians will extend the protective netting behind home plate for the 2016 season, the team has announced, following recommendations from MLB commissioner Rob Manfred that seek to improve fan safety at stadiums.

"Our fans’ safety at Progressive Field has been and will continue to be a priority,” Jim Folk, Indians Ballpark Operations VP said in a statement. "We’re pleased MLB and Commissioner Manfred continue to make safety a priority, and we’ll follow their recommendations on continuing to provide a safe environment for our fans.”

Expect the state-of-the-art netting to extend from home plate to the dugouts on both the first and third-base side. And rest assured the the netting has been designed with both your safety and viewing pleasure in mind. 

Said MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, when the recommendations were announced in December, 2015: 

"This recommendation attempts to balance the need for an adequate number of seating options with our desire to preserve the interactive pregame and in-game fan experience that often centers around the dugouts, where fans can catch foul balls, see their favorite players up close and, if they are lucky, catch a tossed ball or other souvenir."

The changes to the netting are only the latest in a series of announced changes to Progressive Field for 2016. Chief among them are the addition of Fat Head's Brewery, Momocho and other locally flavored dining options. 

Opening Day at Progressive Field is April 4. The Indians will take on the Boston Red Sox at 4:10 p.m.