NEW YORK _ Protective netting is being expanded at Yankee Stadium, beginning with the 2018 season.
During Sunday's regular season finale, the Yankees announced to their fans that the organization planned to "significantly expand the protective netting during the upcoming offseason" both at the Stadium and at Steinbrenner Field, their spring training home in Tampa, Fla.
In a statement, the Yankees said they will continue to consult with "architects, engineers, netting manufacturers and Major League Baseball to analyze and determine the best and most appropriate type" of protective netting to install.
The Yankees added that they've "also considered comments" from their fans.
Further, the Yankees said that their 2018 plans for protective netting would "exceed current guidelines established" by the MLB commissioner's office.
On Sept. 20, Yankees third baseman Todd Frazier lined a foul ball into Yankee Stadium's lower box seats behind third base, striking a toddler in the face. The young girl required hospitalization and Frazier has maintained a dialogue with the child's father regarding her progress.
Following that game against the Twins, a shaken Frazier offered a strong opinion about further protecting fans at Yankee Stadium and around the league.
"I think the netting should be up. I think every stadium should have it, but we're not at that point yet," Frazier said. "Hopefully, they'll take a look at this and they'll figure something out."
