PHOENIX – Major league teams are reviewing stadium safety after the death of a fan at a Texas Rangers game last week, while still encouraging players to toss balls into the stands.
Shannon Stone, a 39-year-old attending a Rangers game in Texas last week with his 6-year-old son, fell over a railing while trying to catch a ball flipped to the stands by Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton
It was horrible accident. Its heartbreaking. It really is – its almost beyond comprehension to believe something like that could happen, baseball Commissioner Bud Selig said before Tuesdays All-Star game during a question-and-answer session with the Baseball Writers Association of America.
Each team determines its own ballpark safety features based on local laws.
I think everybody is reviewing parts of their ballparks where something like this could happen. Maybe theres some things that they can or cant do. So I guess is what I would say to you is common sense should always take over in these situations. And so to say here today, No we shouldnt do this, or No, we shouldnt do that, no, I wouldnt say that. Absolutely not.
Selig is concerned about the impact of the accident on Hamilton.
Id worry about anybody who did something nice, who did something that was really thoughtful, and that happened, the commissioner said.
Selig also said he had found more support than he had expected for a one-game playoff between wild-card teams if the playoffs expand from eight to 10 clubs in 2012. He all but confirmed the 2013 All-Star game will be at the Mets Citi Field.
Well, well announce it at some point in the world. Id say their chances look pretty good, he said.
Minnesotas Target Field is the leading candidate for 2014, and the Marlins hope to host in 2015 at their ballpark that opens next year.
While Selig said baseball would consider moving the All-Star game to a Wednesday in the future – allowing pitchers who started the previous Sunday to participate – teams might be resistant because of their preference to play regular-season games on Thursdays.
Selig said that he was not interested in radical realignment that would eliminate divisions or make major alterations to the leagues, but it was possible one team could move from the NL to the AL to leave each league with 15 teams. Because the 2012 draft schedule already has been completed, that likely could not occur before 2013 at the earliest. The downside would be that interleague games – which drew 18.3 percent more fans than other games – would have to be spread throughout the regular season.
Is there massive realignment on the horizon? No there is not, he said. Would I go to 15 and 15? I dont know. ... You would then have to play interleague play every day obviously, and I like it the way it is.
The players association is in favor of shifting an NL team to the AL. The Houston Astros appear to be the most plausible candidate.
15-15 is an idea that the players have been in favor of for a decade or more, said union head Michael Weiner, who spoke with the BBWAA after Selig.
Selig also backed Derek Jeters decision not to play in the All-Star game. The New York Yankees captain came off the disabled list last week and got his 3,000th hit Saturday. Jeter said he needed to rest because of the calf injury that had sidelined him.
There isnt a player that Im more proud of in the last 15 years than Derek Jeter. He has played the game like it should be played, Selig said. Hes even been a better human being off the field, as great as he is on the field. So any concerns I keep hearing about Derek Jeter isnt here. I respect that. And I must tell you, I think Id have made the same decision that Derek Jeter did.
Selig also repeated his desire to reach an agreement with the players association on an international draft and a slotting system for draft picks.