Probability of Being Hit by a Foul Ball at a Baseball Game

The probability of being hit by a foul ball or bat fragment at a Major League Baseball game is estimated at approximately 1 in 3,300 per game attended. With about 70 million MLB game attendees per year, this translates to roughly 1,750 fan injuries annually. Most injuries are minor (bruises, small cuts), but serious injuries (broken bones, concussions, dental injuries) do occur, and rare fatalities have been recorded.

Studies have found that the average foul ball leaves the bat at about 100-110 mph and can reach fans in seats close to the field in less than 1 second, giving virtually no time to react. The areas of highest risk are behind the dugouts and along the first and third base lines within about 70 feet of home plate.

Following several high-profile fan injuries, all 30 MLB teams extended protective netting to at least the far ends of both dugouts before the 2020 season, with many teams extending netting to the foul poles. Since the expanded netting, fan injuries in protected areas have dropped significantly. Fans sitting in unprotected areas are advised to remain alert during play, particularly during at-bats.