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Twins fans may notice something different about Target Field during Monday's home opener — extra barriers that aim to keep balls and bats from flying into the crowd. 


"The Twins have taken the step of adding netting behind the dugouts, really largely driven by the reality that the seats at Target Field at the dugouts are closer to home plate than any other seat in that position in Major League Baseball," Twins President Dave St. Peter told MPR News Monday.

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Major League Baseball in December recommended 

 at their ballparks given the concerns about fan safety following several high profile accidents, including one last June where a 

 by a flying bat during a Red Sox game at Boston's Fenway Park.

The Target Field netting, installed during the off-season, affects only a small number of season tickets accounts, and no one has canceled tickets, St. Peter said. 


The Twins play the Chicago White Sox this afternoon at the sold out game.

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St. Peter also said he's open to discussions about smokeless tobacco bans, but that he'd leave it up to Minneapolis city officials to come up with an ordinance.


"Major League Baseball has taken a leadership role on this with efforts to ban smokeless tobacco at the Major League Level," he said. "But it's also something that's subject to collective bargaining."


Five cities — San Francisco, Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago and New York City — have made it illegal for baseball players and fans to use smokeless tobacco.

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The extra barriers aim to keep baseballs and bats from flying into the crowd, says Twins President Dave St. Peter. He also tells MPR News he's open to talks about banning smokeless tobacco at the park.

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