MLB now requiring metal detector screenings at every ballpark
After recommending that walk-through metal detectors be added to all 30 stadiums during the 2014 season, Major League Baseball is taking the next step in their advanced security measures by requiring all 30 stadiums to have the equipment and a plan in place for screening fans this season.
The league made the announcement on Friday, stating that all 30 ballparks must develop and implement mandatory metal detection screening of all fans prior to entry before a game. Right now, MLB officials say the screening program will be in effect at 29 ballparks by opening day, and full fan screening will be phased in over the course of the first month of the 2015 season.
So get ready to be early baseball fans, because there are sure to be numerous kinks to iron out and slow moving lines especially early in the season.
As we saw in one instance last season, the Milwaukee Brewers actually had to delay the start of a game 15 minutes when a full security screening held fans up.
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That did little to squash fan concerns about getting into the ballpark in a timely manner once MLB advanced to full screenings on a regular basis, but the test runs last season also give the league, the teams and the fans a better idea what they’re dealing with. Adjustments can be made on all sides, and hopefully that leads to a smooth operation and a faster pace.
“Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our fans,” MLB’s Executive Vice President of Administration John McHale Jr. said. “In the last several seasons, our experiences in many markets and at our jewel events have indicated that fans have a high level of understanding of these efforts. We believe this step will pose minimal inconvenience and ultimately will serve the best interests of fans.”
That’s the hope, and if it makes us a little bit safer, it’s definitely worth it.
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Also, as indicated above, while requiring screening in all 30 ballparks, the league is leaving some aspects of the screening process to the individual teams to determine. So it’s not a one size fits all operation that might work better is some places than others. There’s flexibility, which, if it has to be this way, is the best way to approach it. And hopefully by next season it’s just a commonly accepted part of the experience rather than a continuing nuisance in the eyes of fans.
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
