Major League Baseball

Manfred: Ballpark differences make protective netting tricky issue

Published Nov. 10, 2015 12:06 p.m. ET

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BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Ballparks differences make it impractical to have identical protective netting at all 30 big-league venues, baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred says.

The commissioner's office has been discussing the issue with teams following a series of injuries to fans from foul balls this year. Owners will discuss the matter when they meet in Dallas on Dec. 18-19.

''If you go out and look at the ballparks, it becomes evident that a simple uniform - for example you're going to net to the edge of the dugout - is not workable, given the variation in designs of the stadium,'' Manfred said Tuesday at the general managers' meetings.

''It's going to have to be a little more complicated than that if, in fact, we move ahead.''