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MLB

Timber Rattlers to Extend Protective Netting

By Chris Mehring
February 18, 2016

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers will extend their current protective netting for the 2016 season. The Midwest League affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers are following a recommendation put out by Major League Baseball to MLB teams last December to lengthen nets at stadiums for fan safety.

The recommendation announced by Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred is: Teams will be encouraged to add netting, or some sort of protective barrier, to shield fans from balls and bats that sometimes go into the stands in all field-level seats between the near ends of both dugouts and within 70 feet of home plate. Minor League Baseball President & CEO Pat O'Conner endorsed the recommendations.  

"Minor League Baseball is very appreciative of the time and effort that went into the research done by Major League Baseball in an effort to balance fan safety and the overall fan experience," O'Conner said. "Minor League Baseball clubs strive to offer safe, family-friendly facilities for our fans and these recommendations will help ensure the safety of those fans sitting close to the action."

Burbank Sport Nets will begin installation of the new nets at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium on Friday, March 4. The company has worked on safety net projects with teams in Major League Baseball (Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Colorado Rockies, New York Mets, Washington Nationals); Minor League Baseball (Nashville Sounds, Omaha Storm Chasers, and South Bend Cubs), and NCAA (University of Miami, University of Florida, Vanderbilt University, and University of Texas).

"For the continued safety of our fans, we are pleased to follow the guidelines set by Major League Baseball," said Timber Rattlers President Rob Zerjav. "We will be utilizing Dyneema fiber technology which is utilized in bullet proof vests meaning it is extremely strong while, at the same time, extremely thin allowing for better visibility and maximum safety. Additionally, the new nets will angle down from the current backstop netting to the end of each dugout providing coverage in excess of the recommendations set by Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball."  

The new protective netting at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium will be located from the end of the home dugout on the third base side (Section 109) to the end of the visiting dugout on the first base side (Section 112).

The Timber Rattlers will begin the 2016 season at Beloit on Thursday, April 7. Wisconsin's home opener is Saturday, April 9 at 4:05pm against the Beloit Snappers.

Full season, partial season, and group ticket packages are currently available for the 2016 season. Tickets packages are available online, over the phone at (920) 733-4152 or (800) WI-TIMBER and in person. Groups of 20 or more may order tickets over the phone or in person. Individual game tickets for the 2016 season go on sale Saturday, March 12. The Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium Box Office is open from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm Monday through Friday.