Rays to extend protective net

ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays will extend protective netting to the outfield edge of the dugouts at Tropicana Field.

Almost all other teams, and likely eventually all, have made similar decisions in a tradeoff that provides better protection for fans but also can inhibit and limit access to players, specifically for autographs.

The netting at the Trop will be a green knotless product that the team says will provide better game visibility than the traditional black knotted net. The current backstop net also will be replaced with the new green net.

The nets will be fixed, which means they can't be raised or lowered before or after the games, and the same height at the current backstop net, which is 29 feet.

The Rays will be making a similar change at their spring training stadium in Port Charlotte.

The team issued this statement about the change:

"The Tampa Bay Rays are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for each person who enters Tropicana Field and Charlotte Sports Park. We will be expanding the protective netting this season to the outside edge of the dugouts in both ballparks. All affected Season Ticket Holders will be contacted in the coming weeks with more information." now 26, on Jan. 17, the team's general counsel John Higgins said in a statement.

Reilly denied the abuse allegations in a statement issued by attorney Cathleen Bell Bremmer. He said he was “deeply troubled” by them and called the tarnishing of his reputation “disturbing.” He said he had a relationship with the woman when she was an adult.

St. Petersburg police spokeswoman Sandra Bentril said investigators are trying to determine whether charges should be filed.

Reilly also resigned a similar post at St. Petersburg Catholic High School when school officials contacted him about the video, the Tampa Bay Times reported. He also served as team doctor for the Tampa Bay Lightning from 1992-2002.

The 10-minute video titled “The Importance of Sharing My Story of Sexual Abuse,” was posted under the name Brianna Rah, which is not the woman's real name.

“I know he's done this to other people,” she said in the video. “I've debated making a video for years. I finally thought if I have to put my face out there, if it's going to save another person from being sexually abused from this person, then so be it.”

She said she was 16 when she started working with Reilly. The abuse gradually progressed.

“He wouldn't really say anything, he would just touch me, and without getting specific, it just got worse,” she said.

The woman said she became “numb” to being touched inappropriately.

Reilly said in the statement that he watched the YouTube video and is “sympathetic to the pain she has expressed.” He said the allegations have had “serious repercussions” for himself and his family.