Dodgers take safety steps

They plan to soon extend the ballpark’s netting in an effort to protect spectators.

They are extending protective netting at the ballpark to keep fans safe.

As the Dodgers prepared Tuesday to unveil plans for a $100-million renovation to Dodger Stadium slated to be completed in time for the 2020 season, the team has been working behind the scenes to finish another addition that cannot wait for next season.

The Dodgers plan by next month to extend the protective netting to shield spectators from foul balls at the ballpark, two team officials said.

The officials requested anonymity because the extended netting has not been announced by the team.

After a young woman was hit in the head by a Cody Bellinger line drive and hospitalized last month, the Dodgers announced they would look into extending the netting and released this statement:

“Fan safety is of the utmost importance to the Dodgers and during the offseason, we began the process of studying how the netting at Dodger Stadium could be configured to provide better protection for our fans. Once this study is completed, the team will implement the recommended changes and extend the netting at Dodger Stadium. The team will provide more information on the project timeline and scope when available.”

The Dodgers might have heeded a plea from one of their players. Pitcher Rich Hill telephoned the Major League Baseball Players Assn. in June to voice his opinion: It’s time to extend protective netting to ensure fan safety.

“It’s such a little investment to protect a life,” Hill said the day after his call. “Everybody puts their seat belt on when they get in a car. Times change. A lot of things have changed to indicate in these circumstances that we’re in a different time. That’s it. Period. And I don’t think anybody will be upset by that.”

Although a date has not been finalized for the installation of the extended netting, the expectation is that it will be ready in August. The Dodgers return from a seven-day trip Aug. 20 to play the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Chicago White Sox and Washington Nationals extended the netting at their ballparks this week from the end of the dugouts to the foul poles after recent injuries to spectators caused by foul balls. Teams had been reluctant to extend the netting, fearing fans would complain about visibility. However, the fear of injuries now outweighs those concerns for many teams.

Last year, 79-year-old Linda Goldbloom died four days after a foul ball struck her in the head at Dodger Stadium and a young boy was struck by a ball during batting practice this season. In May, a young girl was hospitalized after being hit by a line drive in Houston. And Sunday, a foul ball hit by Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor hit a young boy. Lindor called for all teams to extend their safety netting so similar incidents don’t occur.

“You don’t want that to happen to anybody,” he said. “Especially a little kid.”