Kansas City, Mo. ? The Royals are installing additional netting at Kauffman Stadium that extends toward the outfield end of each team’s dugout to improve the safety for fans sitting along the foul lines.

Several clubs have considered ways to protect fans from foul balls hit into those seats, and some have suggested that similar netting should be mandatory in major-league ballparks.

Royals vice president Kevin Uhlich said Wednesday that the club considered several options before deciding on the new netting. The club hopes it strikes a balance between safety and allowing fans sitting in premium seats to have the same kind of ballpark experience as in years past.

The World Series champion Royals play their opener April 4 against the New York Mets, the team they beat in five games for the title.