Protect the loyal fans

If you are a baseball fan and watch it live or on TV, you most likely have observed often when a fan is either hit with a line drive or a flying ball bat, sometimes splintered, and is helped out of the stands with a serious injury.

There has been much talk recently by the commissioner and broadcasters, as well as fans who have expressed a strong interest to see that something is done before the beginning of the 2016 season to protect fans.

What can be done? Every ballpark does appear to have a protective fence that covers an area behind home plate and an area or small portion of first and third bases. Fans who risk the dangers of a line drive or a flying bat support the owners and professional ball players by purchasing tickets to attend the games. How much money will it cost to extend a fence along the first and third base lines? For the protection of the fans and for those who enjoy bringing a glove to catch a flying ball or to retrieve a grounder along the fence lines, why not offer a special seating area further away from the danger areas to these fans?

For those arguing that you attend the games at your own risk, tell this to a family with young children finding it impossible to duck a flying splintered bat or a line drive.

Finally, let’s begin the coming 2016 baseball season by protecting the loyal and faithful fans of baseball. From a St. Louis Cardinal fan of over 60 years. JOE BRINDLEY Conway