ASTROS TO EXTEND PROTECTIVE NETTING

The Astros have announced they will extend the protective netting inside Minute Maid Park beginning August 19.

The netting will be extended further down the left-field and right-field lines, increasing the number of seats that will be located behind protective netting.

The move comes months after a 2-year old girl suffered a fractured skull when she was hit by a foul ball during an Astros-Cubs May 29 at Minute Maid Park.  A number of recent injuries and a death last year in Los Angeles have led to a call for improved protection throughout big league baseball.