SPARKS v. STERLING DOUBLEDAY ENTERPRISES LP (2002)

In an action to recover damages for personal injuries, etc., the plaintiffs appeal from an order of the Supreme Court, Suffolk County (Emerson, J.), entered October 4, 2001, which granted the defendant's motion for summary judgment dismissing the complaint.

ORDERED that the order is affirmed, with costs.

The infant plaintiff allegedly sustained injuries when, while in the Shea Stadium stands, he was struck by a baseball hit during batting practice.   Contrary to the plaintiffs' contention, by furnishing sufficient protective screening behind home plate where the danger of being struck by a baseball is the greatest, the defendant fulfilled its duty of care and cannot be held liable in negligence (see Akins v. Glens Falls City School Dist., 53 N.Y.2d 325, 441 N.Y.S.2d 644, 424 N.E.2d 531;  Lynch v. Board of Educ. for Oceanside School Dist., 225 A.D.2d 741, 640 N.Y.S.2d 142).   The defendant is not required to be an insurer of the safety of spectators who choose to occupy unprotected areas (see Davidoff v. Metropolitan Baseball Club, 61 N.Y.2d 996, 998, 475 N.Y.S.2d 367, 463 N.E.2d 1219).   Moreover, that the infant plaintiff was a member of a school marching band invited to participate in opening day ceremonies is of no moment (see Stern v. Madison Sq. Garden Corp., 226 A.D.2d 444, 641 N.Y.S.2d 41).   The infant plaintiff was still a spectator who assumed the risk of his injuries (see Honohan v. Turrone, 297 A.D.2d 705, 747 N.Y.S.2d 543).

The plaintiffs' remaining contentions are without merit.