Seventh-Inning Stretch · Heads Up!
Behind the Yankees' Dugout
Clapman v. City of New York (1984)
Charge: Negligence - foul-ball injury in a box seat; screen and vendors blamed (suit against the city and stadium operators)Court: New York Court of AppealsDocket: Heads Up!
Does a stadium breach its duty by screening only behind home plate, or by letting vendors block a fan's view?
The facts
In July 1977 a fan sat in a box seat behind the home team's dugout at a big-league stadium in New York and was hit by a foul ball. The fan sued, arguing the protective screen should have extended beyond home plate, more seats should have been available behind it, and vendors walking the aisles had blocked the fan's view of the batter.
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: Clapman v. City of New York, 63 N.Y.2d 669, 468 N.E.2d 697 (1984)
Read more at case-law.vlex.com. The source reveals the outcome.