Nationals plan to extend protective netting by early July

In a letter to fans from principal owner Mark D. Lerner, the Nationals today announced a plan to extend protective netting, which currently ends at each dugout, to just prior the left and right field foul poles at Nationals Park.

The new Ultra Cross Knotless Dyneema protective netting will offer a better viewing experience while also providing a higher degree of protection for fans from flying baseballs and bats that go into the stands.

The new netting is expected to be installed during the All-Star break. The Nationals are on the road for eight games immediately after the break, returning to Nationals Park on July 22 to open a 10-game homestand with the first of four games against the Rockies.

The Nationals are the second major league team to extend the protective netting closer to the foul poles. The White Sox announced Wednesday they are taking steps to extend protective netting at Guaranteed Rate Field to the corners of the outfield.

A woman was hit by a baseball at the White Sox/Nationals game June 10. It was the second incident in two weeks where a fan was struck by a foul ball. A young girl was hit by a foul ball off the bat of the Cubs' Albert Almora Jr., during a game at Houston on May 29.

A Cubs fan who was blinded in one eye at a game in 2017 applauded the White Sox's announcement yesterday.

"Over the past few weeks, we have seen several fans injured by bats and balls leaving the field of play at other stadiums. I could not help but become emotional last month watching the Astros-Cubs game when a 4-year-old little girl was hit by a line drive," Lerner wrote. "I can't imagine what her parents must have felt in that moment. And to see the raw emotion and concern from Albert Almora Jr. was heartbreaking. Further extending the netting at Nationals Park will provide additional protection for our fans."

Fans concerned about the change or those with questions can reach out to the Nationals at 202-675-NATS (6287) or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

A Letter from Mark D. Lerner:

Nationals Announce Extension of Protective Field Netting

🔗 // https://t.co/DWJRzfs1FH pic.twitter.com/GqVozDhWaS

-- Washington Nationals (@Nationals) June 20, 2019