Lawsuit a game changer for Isotopes?

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) - You go to a baseball game and the chance of catching a foul ball or a home run is part of the excitement and is generally accepted. The courts have agreed, until now.

In the wake of a court ruling the Albuquerque Isotopes settled with a boy who was hit in the head by a foul ball, questions were raised whether the Isotopes would make new measures to improve safety at games.

Some measures, like more nets around the field would mean fewer souvenirs for fans.

Isotopes General Manager John Traub says there are no plans to put up more nets throughout the park. He also says there are about 300 signs throughout the park, warning people about flying balls.

"You look at our track record, you look at six million people who have come through this park in 10 years...we've been sued one time. I think our track record speaks for itself," Traub said.

The lawsuit against the Isotopes was settled late last week. It began back it 2003 when a 4-year-old boy and his family were sitting in the picnic area of the park. When a player hit a home run during batting practice the boy was hit in the head and then the family sued.

Usually ballparks rely on what's called the "baseball rule," which protects them from lawsuits when fans are hit by a foul ball or home run.

But the case against the Isotopes was settled with the dollar amount undisclosed.