Mets to install netting to protect Citi fans
A view of the opening ceremonies for the Mets' game against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field on March 31, 2014. Credit: Newsday / Thomas A. Ferrara
The Mets announced on Thursday that they will be installing extra protective netting at Citi Field in the next month in an attempt to protect fans from getting hit by foul balls.
According to the team, the “97 percent invisible” netting will be in place by July 14, when the Mets open the second half of the season after the All-Star break.
The team said in a news release that the added netting will “triple the square footage” of existing netting and will “exceed the standard established” by the baseball commissioner’s office.
The Mets will expand the current 30-foot high netting behind home plate to the far end of the dugouts and will add eight-foot high netting down the foul lines.
In a statement, the team said: “The decision to proceed with these enhancements follows diligent exploration and study with MLB over the past two seasons. Fan safety continues to be our top priority and using this technology will offer state-of-the-art protection for our fans while minimizing the impact on their viewing experience.”
Trainer’s room
General manager Sandy Alderson provided the following injury updates:
- Noah Syndergaard (partial lat tear) was examined and will continue to rehab. Syndergaard will not begin throwing for a month. He was placed on the disabled list on May 1.
“The prescription was basically more rest, more biometrics, more rehab before he starts throwing,” Alderson said.
- Josh Smoker, who was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a left shoulder strain on Wednesday after throwing a career-high 81 pitches on Tuesday, had an MRI on his elbow and shoulder. Alderson said the tests showed “some loose bodies in his elbow” but no shoulder issues. Smoker will rest and take anti-inflammatory medication.
- Tommy Milone (sprained left knee) has not made any progress while rehabbing in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
Anthony Rieber covers baseball, as well as the NFL, NBA and NHL. He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since July 5, 2004.
