Extra Innings · Beanballs & Bleachers
Watching From the Parents' Section
Bellezzo v. State of Arizona (1992)
Charge: Negligence - parent struck by a foul ball at a state-university baseball game (suit against the State)Court: Arizona Court of AppealsDocket: Beanballs & Bleachers
Did a state university breach its duty to a spectator struck by a foul ball when its backstop screened about 1,800 seats behind home plate?
The facts
A parent went to watch their son play college baseball at a state university's stadium. They were first told they could sit anywhere, then directed to assigned seats that were not behind the screen. During the game a foul ball struck the parent in the head. The backstop was about 85 feet wide and 32 feet high and protected roughly 1,800 seats. The parent sued the State for failing to protect them.
You have the facts the court had. Guilty or not guilty? Call it in the game with your friends, then see what the court actually decided. Wrong call, you drink.
Citation: Bellezzo v. State of Arizona, 174 Ariz. 548, 851 P.2d 847 (Ct. App. 1992)