Oakland Athletics Roundup: Wednesday, October 28
Remember Gail Payne, the Oakland Athletics’ season ticket holder who filed a lawsuit against Major Leaugue Baseball, alleging that the lack of protective netting around the majority of the ballpark puts fans at risk for injuries caused by foul balls or flying bats? She’s still moving forward with her suit, and this week, her attorneys revised it to add two more plantiffs.
MLB attorneys had filed a motion earlier this month to ask the U.S. District judge presiding over the case, Judge Samuel Conti, to dismiss the lawsuit. They claimed that Payne lacked the standing to file the suit in the first place, since she herself had never been injured. In response, Payne’s attorneys added Robert Gorman and Stephanie Smith as plaintiffs. Gorman alleges that he was hit by a foul ball nearly 15 years ago at the home of the Triple-A Charlotte Knights, and Smith claims she was injured by a foul ball at Dodger Stadium in June, suffering broken ribs and a partially collapsed lung.
Regardless of one’s feelings about extending the netting – and there has been plenty of controversy even among our own staff writers – this lawsuit has now become frivolous and ridiculous. A foul ball incident from fifteen years ago? There’s no reason to take a legitimate subject and turn it into a joke.
Luckily, this hasn’t stopped MLB owners from agreeing to discuss fan safety at the Winter Meetings. Expect it to be a hot-button issue, given that fans seem to be either wholeheartedly against it or very much for it. Whatever they decided, there will be plenty of people unhappy with their choice.
In Case You Missed It:
Reliever Dan Otero Looking to Bounce Back in 2016 – Reliever Dan Otero had a rough season in 2015, but can he return to form next year? Samantha Riley takes a look at how he performed this year, and what to expect next season.
Top Free Agent Targets For 2016 – Each Wednesday night, Swingin’ A’s posts a question to be answered by both our staff and you, the readers. A new question will be available tonight, but if you haven’t already, be sure to check out last week’s: Which (realistic) free agent should the A’s target this winter?
#Athletics:
Throwing good luck to the defending NBA champs & our neighbors, the @warriors, as they open regular season tonight. pic.twitter.com/lNemz4fDT2
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) October 27, 2015
Around the Web:
Sports Illustrated: MLB Owners to Discuss Nets and Fan Safety At Meetings – Based on several high-profile injuries this season, as well as a pending lawsuit by an Oakland Athletics fan, MLB owners intend to discuss the extended use of safety nets when they meet this winter.
MLBTradeRumors.com: A’s Offseason Outlook – MLBTradeRumors.com gives an overview of what worked and what didn’t last season, and what to expect from the A’s this winter.