Rangers To Raise Railing Height After Fan Death

The Texas Rangers are in the process of raising the height of railings at the Ballpark In Arlington after a fan fell to his death two weeks ago. Brownwood firefighter Shannon Stone fell over a railing trying to catch a ball thrown into the stands.

The railing height in the area where he fell was 34 inches. And most of the railings in the ball park are 30 to 34 inches. In a few areas at the base of aisles leading to the front row seating, railings are 42 inches, and that will be the new standard throughout the facility.

Rangers executive vice-president Rob Matwick indicated that the goal is to have the ball park meet 'the highest standard that exists in the United States at this time'. Current city building requirements in Arlington are that guard rails must be at least 26 inches in height.

Do you think a 26 inch railing height requirement is too low? Is 34 inches too low? One thing is for sure. Safety should be the primary concern at any public facility. (via Forbes.com)