About a month ago, the Padres announced that Petco Park will have walk-through metal detectors installed at all its entrances. On Friday, Major League Baseball reiterated its desire to have metal detectors at every MLB facility and offered its reasoning for the mandate in a statement:
“This procedure, which resulted from a recent study of best security practices and MLB’s continuing work with the Department of Homeland Security to elevate and standardize initiatives across the game, will be in addition to bag checks that have been uniform throughout MLB. Fan screening may be conducted by means of hand-held metal detection or walk-through magnetometers. Fans should monitor announcements from Clubs regarding their individual programs and the details of the anticipated practices in each market. “
Now, fans hear that and it’s hard not to think this is going to be a process like getting through an airport. John McHale, Jr., MLB’s Executive Vice President, Administration, says that’s not going to be an issue.
“Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our fans,” said McHale, Jr. “In the last several seasons, our experiences in many markets and at our jewel events have indicated that fans have a high level of understanding of these efforts. We believe this step will pose minimal inconvenience and ultimately will serve the best interests of fans.”
All 30 MLB parks will have the metal detectors in place by Opening Day except Wrigley Field, which is undergoing major construction updates and won’t even have the left field bleachers ready to go until about May.
