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Safety is the name of the game for those attending any type of sporting event, especially a baseball game where balls, bats, and players can leave the playing field.
PNG Field has already undergone safety upgrades leading up to the 2025 season, as the Altoona Curve recently extended safety netting on both the first and third base sides of the field.
"Fan safety at the ballpark is one of our top priorities and extending the netting down in front of the Stuckey Automotive Picnic pavilion and the Weis Markets first base bleachers makes it much safer for the fans in those areas," Curve general manager Nate Bowen said.
Those areas are high traffic areas for errant throws during the game and especially so during pre game warm ups.
The extended netting marks the first time since 2017 the Curve have made changes to the netting and it took roughly a week for the project to be completed.
"There have been some complaints, but our goal is to make the ballpark a safe, family friendly experience," Bowen said.
When the netting was extended in 2017, it was met with mixed reviews, but with technology dominating society and players being stronger and faster than ever, any addition to making the game safer for fans to attend should be a welcome one especially for those with small children.
"Parents should not have to worry about their children or family members getting hit with a line drive," Bowen said. "It improves the safety of the stadium and the experience for our fans."
The Altoona Curve will take the field at PNG for Opening Day on April 4.
-- Jarrod Prugar