Hit by Baseball, New Jersey Woman Sues Milwaukee Brewers

A New Jersey woman who was hit by a baseball during batting practice before a Brewers game in 2014 has now sued the team.

Dana Morelli, 47, of Glendora, New Jersey, claims in her lawsuit that the Brewers and their insurance company were negligent because they didn’t provide an adequate ball barrier. Morelli claims they also didn’t give fans proper warning about the danger of foul balls.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Sunday that Morelli was at Miller Park to see the Brewers play the San Francisco Giants on Aug. 6, 2014. She was taking her seat beyond third base when a Giants player hit a ball into the stands, striking her below the left eye.

She suffered multiple injuries, including an orbital fracture of her left eye socket. Her attorney, Michael Sperling, said she had to stay in a dark room for several days.

“People should be more protected during batting practice since there is no game to even watch,” Sperling said. “Whatever they put up was clearly insufficient to protect my client.”

The lawsuit was filed in Milwaukee County Circuit Court earlier this month.

The Milwaukee Brewers declined to comment, saying they do not discuss pending litigation.

Morelli is seeking an unspecified amount in damages.

In December 2015, Major League Baseball recommended that all teams lengthen safety netting to extend 70 feet from home plate to the inner edges of the dugouts.

The Brewers extended the netting at Miller Park before the 2016 season started.