Ever wondered what happens when a baseball takes a detour into a car windshield? Break into the dynamics of baseballs, broken windshields, and glass insurance coverage. Uncover real cases, legal insights, and parking tips near ballparks.
Hey there, baseball fans! Have you ever heard the “crack” of a baseball bat and then the unfortunate “crunch” of a car windshield? Yep, we’re talking about the unpredictable foul balls that can play havoc with cars parked near ballparks.
In the article below, every broken windshield you see is from a car parked in practically the same spot at Adams Field in Quincy, Massachusetts. Each time, the car is parked near the first base side by home plate. Each time, it’s a ballplayer’s car hit by a foul. They should know better, right?!
Let’s dive into the world of baseballs, windshields, and whether insurance steps up to the plate in these situations.
Actual broken windshield video from The 100th Inning, streaming on Amazon.
First Base: You’ve Landed the Dream Spot, But Do You Understand Your Situation?
You’ve found a prime parking spot outside the ballpark, feeling confident and ready to enjoy the game. However, as the innings progress, a rogue foul ball makes an unplanned detour, striking your car and leaving behind a shattered windshield. Now, you’re left grappling with potential repair costs, estimated at around $450.
Naturally, the question arises that even a seasoned umpire can’t call: Does insurance step in to cover such unexpected damages?
Second Base: Navigating the Bases of Liability
General Liability policies usually come into action when there’s negligence that leads to “bodily injury” or “property damage.” In our baseball scenario, the “property damage” part is clear. But did the baseball league do something negligent?
For a negligence claim to hit a home run, these four bases need to be touched:
- The league owed a duty of care.
- They dropped the ball and didn’t operate carefully.
- This error led to the foul ball smashing a windshield.
- The damage can be verified.
But here’s the curveball: there’s a defense called the “assumption of a known risk.” Essentially, if you know the risks of parking near a ballpark and still do it, well, you’ve kind of accepted that risk.
Third Base: Stepping Up to the Plate – Real Cases
The Boston Metro Baseball League uses Sadler insurance for liability that protects players and fans from injury while attending a ballgame. Sadler, in our case, does not cover property damage.
However, we did scour their records to find when car insurance companies fork out cash for foul ball-related vehicular damages. Here are just a few examples of what we discovered.
Cases with Insurance Batting a Thousand
In these instances, the insurance companies swung for the fences and covered the damages:
- A neighbor’s car, parked conveniently in their own driveway, met an unexpected baseball.
- Someone attending a yoga class in a nearby facility had their windshield broken.
- A family having a picnic in a park adjacent to the baseball field returned to a dented car roof.
- A vehicle belonging to a local merchant, parked outside his store near the ballpark, was hit.
- An individual attending a wedding at a nearby chapel had a foul surprise when their side mirror was damaged.
- A person who had parked their car to go for a jog around the neighborhood found a baseball dent on their return.
Instances where Insurance Threw a Curveball
For these cases, those involved struck out when claiming insurance:
- A passionate spectator, engrossed in the game, later discovered the foul ball’s mark on their car.
- An umpire, ensuring fair play on the field, was left to deal with the injustice done to his vehicle.
- A player, who might have cheered for the home run during the game, lamented when he found his car was its landing spot.
- A die-hard fan, always early to grab front row seats, was met with the irony of a smashed windshield.
- A team coach, strategizing the next play, found out later that his strategy should have included safer parking.
The takeaway? If you’re at the ballpark and understand the game, insurers believe you should know better about where to park.
Home Run: Beware the Foul Balls!
Pro tip for baseball leagues and ballpark owners: Putting up signs like “Beware: Foul Ball Territory” or “Park at Your Own Risk: Balls in Flight” can help. But remember, a sign doesn’t guarantee the “assumption of risk” will stand in all cases.
Final Score: So whether you’re a ballplayer yourself, a fan, or just passing by a game, always be wary of where you park. The last thing you want is your car catching a foul ball!
Brett Rudy is a trailblazer in the world of baseball. As the founder of Baseball Is My Life and co-founder of Charity Hop Sports Marketing, he’s dedicated to elevating the sport and supporting the athletes who play it. With a passion for making a difference, Brett has created successful philanthropic initiatives like Charity Wines and 100 Innings of Baseball for ALS. He’s also the mastermind behind the Corked Bat Collection, Cooperstown Classic at the Baseball Hall of Fame, and Winterball for Toys for Tots. When he’s not working to improve the game, Brett can be found playing outfield in the Boston Metro Baseball League, living and breathing the sport he loves.