Nationals adding protective netting to guard against line-drive foul balls

WASHINGTON (FOX 5 DC) - The Washington Nationals announced on Thursday that they will extend and replace the netting protecting fans in the wake of a line-drive foul ball hit by Chicago Cubs outfielder Albert Almora Jr. that struck and injured a 4-year-old child.

Owner Mark Lerner announced the move on Thursday in a letter posted online.

Lerner's letter said:

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 four-year-old little girl was hit by a line drive. 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.

According to Lerner's letter, the Nationals will install Cross Knotless Dyneema netting.

The new netting will extend to just short of the right and left field corners, and it will consist of knotless netting to provide more transparency.

Click here to read Lerner's letter in its entirety, and to see a graphic illustrating the net expansion.