Although the current rail heights at Rangers Ballpark exceed safety standards, there have been two instances of fans falling over the railing to the ground below in the past two years. While the first fan survived, Shannon Stone tragically did not. The 39-year-old firefighter from Brownwood, Texas, died when he tumbled over the outfield railing and fell 20 feet to the concrete below.
After consulting numerous safety experts, Rangers management have decided to raise the railing to the highest levels in the country. Replacing the railing will take some time to implement, so other precautions will be in place in the meantime.
Signs that read “DO NOT LEAN, SIT ON, OR STAND AGAINST RAIL” will be placed on the front row railings. There will also be pregame safety warnings to fans that will be enforced by Ballpark personnel.
The personal injury attorneys at Rasansky | McKenzie Law applaud Rangers management for taking steps to ensure fan safety. Curiously though, there hasn’t been an announcement on the implementation of netting in the outfield gap that Stone fell through. Hopefully this is something that will be included in the series of safety initiatives. Here’s to a safe and successful rest of the season for the Rangers and their fans!
Texas Rangers Beefing Up Safety Measures at Ballpark
A recent death at Rangers Ballpark at Arlington has spawned a series of new safety measures in an attempt to prevent future serious injuries.
Although the current rail heights at Rangers Ballpark exceed safety standards, there have been two instances of fans falling over the railing to the ground below in the past two years. While the first fan survived, Shannon Stone tragically did not. The 39-year-old firefighter from Brownwood, Texas, died when he tumbled over the outfield railing and fell 20 feet to the concrete below.
After consulting numerous safety experts, Rangers management have decided to raise the railing to the highest levels in the country. Replacing the railing will take some time to implement, so other precautions will be in place in the meantime.
Signs that read “DO NOT LEAN, SIT ON, OR STAND AGAINST RAIL” will be placed on the front row railings. There will also be pregame safety warnings to fans that will be enforced by Ballpark personnel.
The personal injury attorneys at Rasansky | McKenzie Law applaud Rangers management for taking steps to ensure fan safety. Curiously though, there hasn’t been an announcement on the implementation of netting in the outfield gap that Stone fell through. Hopefully this is something that will be included in the series of safety initiatives. Here’s to a safe and successful rest of the season for the Rangers and their fans!
