At the Ballpark in Arlington, New "Safety Initiatives" In Advance of Higher Railings

By Robert Wilonsky Tue., Jul. 19 2011 at 12:54 PM

Categories: Sports

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Photo by Sam Merten

The view from Section 235, from which Tyler Morris plummeted 30 feet in July 2010

This just in from the Texas Rangers' John Blake: Beginning Friday, when the club opens a seven-game home stand against the Toronto Blue Jays, the Rangers will introduce "a series of new safety initiatives" that will pave the way for raised railings following the July 7 death of 39-year-old Brownwood firefighter Shannon Stone. Says Blake's announcement:

Over the past 10 days, the Rangers have consulted with a number of industry experts to discuss options concerning the rail heights at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Even though all current rail heights in Rangers Ballpark in Arlington currently exceed code, the Rangers intend to raise the height of all rails in front of seating areas to the highest standard in the United States at this time.

But till the refitted rails are designed and installed, the team's putting in place other precautionary measures, which you will find after the jump. Says Rangers CEO and president Nolan Ryan, who was released from the hospital today following Sunday's chest pains, "The safety of our fans is our top priority.The initiatives we are announcing today for Rangers Ballpark in Arlington will help to ensure that we meet that priority."
Per the Rangers, these are the new safety initiatives in advance of the redone railing:

1) New signage is being installed on the railings at the base of the aisles and in front of front row seating, which states "DO NOT LEAN, SIT ON, OR STAND AGAINST RAIL". The signage will be on the railings in front of all outfield seating from foul pole to foul pole and on all upper level seating, including the two suite levels.

2) A pre-game warning with the same information will be made prior to the start of each game over the Ballpark's public address system and on the scoreboards.

3) Security and Customer Service staff will enforce this policy with guests seated near the rails.

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