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According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Phillies intend to install extended netting behind home plate to help protect fans at Citizens Bank Park. The team is waiting for MLB before moving forward just in case the league sets some new regulations soon.

Extended netting has become a hot topic this season due to a series of foul balls and broken bats flying into the stands and hurting fans. Two incidents in particular stand out: a woman hit by a foul ball at Fenway Park in June, and another woman hit by a foul ball at Comerica Park in August. They are not the only incidents, however.

Here's some more from Rosenthal:

Baseball is working diligently on the fan-safety issue, but does not expect a resolution before the end of the season, league spokesman Pat Courtney said.

...

“We are actively studying and evaluating a number of issues related to fan safety, including bat safety, netting, etc., at the league level,” Courtney said.

Baseball, however, cannot implement a uniform set of rules without first thoroughly examining the laws and codes in the cities and counties where its teams play.

The MLB Players' Association proposed extended netting during the last two rounds of collective bargaining agreement negotiations, but the owners rejected it both times, citing reduced access for fans paying top dollar for seats close to the field. Extended netting would limit autograph opportunities, etc.

Professional leagues in Asia have netting that extends beyond the dugouts and down the lines to the foul poles. Right now MLB teams have netting that does not even extend all the way to the dugouts. Most teams do put up extra netting or protective screens down the lines during batting practice.

All ballparks include signage warning fans about foul balls and broken bats, and tickets include a disclaimer shifting responsibility to fans. But, as Justin Verlander noted following the incident in Detroit, these foul balls are often travel very fast, and reaction time is limited.

The NHL added netting behind each goal back in 2002 after a fan -- a 13-year-old girl -- died due to injuries suffered when she was hit by a puck. The various foul ball incidents this year show fans seated close to the field are at great risk. MLB should consider itself lucky no one has been more seriously hurt. Not everyone is as fortunate as this guy:

At this point, it's hard to see how MLB can continue to justify not extending the netting, at least to the dugouts, if not further down the line. Fan safety is something the league should take very seriously. All these incidents this season should be considered a wake-up call.

Good job by the Phillies. Hopefully they get the extended netting installed at Citizens Bank Park soon, and hopefully more clubs follow their lead.

The Phillies intend to install extended netting at Citizens Bank Park.
The Phillies intend to install extended netting at Citizens Bank Park. (USATSI)