A sure-handed dad snatching a foul ball out of the air and handing the souvenir to an excited son or daughter has been a familiar, feel-good sight for decades in Major League Baseball stadiums.
But a recent rash of horrific injuries suffered by fans hit by scorching line drives is forcing MLB teams like the Nationals to choose between baseball tradition and the health and well-being of paying customers — and tradition is losing.
The Nationals extended protective netting this week from the dugouts to the foul poles in left and right fields, putting a barrier between fans in the premium seats and the hard-hit foul balls rocketing into the stands.