The recent recommendation by Major League Baseball that its teams expand protective netting between the playing field and stands at the ball parks is a good one. Too many fans have been injured by foul balls and bats flung into the stands, and the wise move is to follow the standard in Japanese stadiums.

Spectators at Central and Pacific League games are shielded by screens not only behind home plate and the first- and third-base dugouts, but also from the left-field pole to the right-field pole, covering all of foul territory.

Besides the netting, fans at Japanese games are warned when a foul ball is headed their way by whistles blown by stadium staff members. There are also constant reminders throughout games to watch out for foul balls, by way of P.A. announcements and video board messages.