BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pittsburgh Pirates will extend the protective netting at PNC Park and LECOM Park to stretch nearly the length of the first and third base foul lines.
A new netting system will extend to Section 1 down the first base line and to Section 32 down the third base line at PNC Park, which installed a netting system that extended to the end of the home and visiting dugouts in 2017.
“The netting expansion provides even more options for fans to sit close to the action along the baselines without concern for their safety and that of their family and friends,” Pirates president Travis Williams said in a statement.
“While we understand it will be an adjustment from what we are all accustomed to, fan safety has to be a top priority, as is maintaining a direct connection between our players and our fans. We believe that we were able to accomplish both with our netting design.”
The Pirates made the announcement in advance of their first Grapefruit League game Saturday against the Minnesota Twins at LECOM Park, their spring training home, where the netting will extend to the foul poles. The team said it is using a netting system “designed for maximum transparency, all while protecting fans in the lower seating bowl from projectiles such as foul balls and flying bats.”
The netting will have multiple openings to allow for autographs prior to games, according to the statement.
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