Feb. 16--The Chicago Cubs won't have to extend their backstop netting at Sloan Park this spring.
That's because Sloan Park's original netting already meets the new safety standards set by Major League Baseball, according to Justin Piper, the Cubs general manager of spring training business operations.
MLB made recommendations this winter that all teams extend netting to protect fans from bats and balls into the field level seats between the near ends of the dugout and a 70-foot radius of home plate.
The recommendation was made in the wake of injuries to several fans sitting in lower level seats at several MLB parks.
