As the 12th season of Springfield Cardinal Baseball starts, fans will be ushered into a safer Hammons Field. The team has recently upgraded their stadium with several new enhancements to help baseball lovers enjoy the game more, also adding new safety precautions.
The new netting, both 8 feet taller and 100 feet wider than the previous safety net, has been well received from onlookers, says Springfield Cardinals Vice President and General Manager Matt Gifford.
“Some of our fans that have been here for twelve years are blown away by the knotless system that we’re putting in and the overreaching peace of mind that they’re getting now that the net has been expanded.”
Exceeding the new protection guidelines from Major League Baseball, the Springfield Cardinals look forward to a new season where fans can feel safer in the stadium environment.
However, regardless of the new protective measures being taken, Gifford still urges fans to pay attention to the happenings around them.
“I think the best thing to do is just pay attention. Even though the netting now provides that protection from dugout to dugout of that straight line drive, you still need to watch for the balls that are going over the net and be ready to catch those foul balls or let someone else around you catch them.”
A liability disclaimer, or the “baseball rule,” appears on purchased tickets and is posted various times around the stadium. The provision explains that it’s a fan’s responsibility to be aware of their surroundings in the park and that the Springfield Cardinals are not held liable for equipment that leaves the field.
In case of an emergency, says Gifford, first-aid can be administered on the spot to fans within the stadium.
For more information on the Springfield Cardinals schedule, visit their website here or contact them by calling 417-863-0395.