CHICAGO, July 28 (UPI) -- Crews installed nylon safety netting under the upper deck at Chicago's Wrigley Field Wednesday to protect fans after three incidents of falling concrete.
The safety net is not intended to be a permanent addition to the 90-year-old ballpark but is expected to be in place in time for Friday afternoon's Cubs-Philadelphia game.
Buildings Commissioner Stan Kaderbek, a licensed structural engineer, ruled the landmark is structurally sound and that games can be held after the mesh canopy, identical to netting used on construction sites, is installed to shield patrons from falling debris.
"The netting needs to be there," he said.
Three chunks of concrete have fallen since June 9, including a tomahawk-shaped 6-inch piece of cement that narrowly missed a 5-year-old boy. No one has been hurt.
"The Cubs are continuing to work with the city of Chicago to ensure we provide as safe and enjoyable an environment as possible at Wrigley Field," said Cubs President and CEO Andy MacPhail.
