NEW YORK -- The Yankees will "significantly expand" the protective netting at both Yankee Stadium and George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla., during the upcoming offseason, the club announced on Sunday.
"As previously announced, the Yankees consulted (and are continuing to consult) with architects, engineers, netting manufacturers and Major League Baseball to analyze and determine the best and most appropriate type of netting material, color and installation methods," the statement said. "We have also considered comments from our great fans.
"While the current protective netting meets the recommended guidelines established by Major League Baseball, the additional protective netting we are planning to install for the 2018 season will exceed the current guidelines established by the Office of the Commissioner of Major League Baseball."
The Yankees said that further information would be made available when the installation plans are finalized.
"I think anything that keeps our fans safe is good," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "The ball is extremely hard and sometimes the reaction time isn't good, sometimes they're blinded by the fan in front. Anything that keeps them safe, I'm all for it."

A young girl was struck by a Todd Frazier foul ball during a Sept. 20 game against the Twins at Yankee Stadium, briefly delaying play on the field while players looked on, clearly shaken by the situation.
Frazier said that he has kept in touch with the girl's family and that she was recently released from a local hospital. Frazier said that he was pleased by Sunday's announcement.
"That's great. I think not only here, but every team should have it," Frazier said. "It's a good step forward for the Yankees. That's awesome work they're doing, and I'm very proud to say I'm playing for this team while they make these changes."