The Boston Red Sox have announced new improvements to Fenway Park in Boston, including protective netting following an incident where a fan was seriously injured by a broken bat.
Protective netting was expanded to cover all seats within 70 feet of home base, following recommendations from Major League Baseball. The netting stands 9’8” from the top of the field wall. The pre-existing backdrop netting has also been replaced.
Tonya Carpenter, 44, was struck in the head by a bat that broke on a swing during a game last June. She sustained a traumatic brain injury in the incident.
Her lawyer released a statement on her behalf in response to the new netting expressing Tonya's gratitude.
It said, "As she struggles in her recovery, Tonya is gratified to hear that something good has resulted from her terrifying experience and injuries."
The statement also added, "The fans, including children, sitting in the zone of danger from bats and balls need protection, not warnings. At a speed of 100 MPH it takes a bat less than ½ of a second to reach a fan sitting approximately 60 feet from home plate as Tonya was when she was hit in the head by the barrel of the bat. No amount of attentiveness can be expected to prevent a catastrophe from a flying bat at that distance. It needs to be stopped before it reaches the seats."
In addition, the Red Sox say the most extensive project completed during the off-season was the State Street Pavilion extension, which adds 222 seats.
Massachusetts
The latest news from around the state
Several other improvements were made, including technology enhancements, which include some new cameras and some improvements to in-seat ordering.
Menus at concession stands have also been updated
