Can't say for sure what the latest holdings in NY on this issue are, but here in California the courts quote an older NY (31 years old) case: Here's the money quote:
"Akins v. Glen Falls City School Dist. (1981) 53 N.Y.2d 325 In the Akins case, the court detailed the widely recognized principle that an owner of a baseball field is not an insurer of the safety of its spectators. The court further pointed out that the perils of the game are not so imminent that due care on the part of the owner requires that the entire playing field be screened. The court took note of the fact that many spectators prefer to sit where their view is unobstructed by fences or protective netting and the proprietor of a ballpark has a legitimate interest in catering to those desires."
Maple bats may be a different story - As in any legal case, depending on the facts, your mileage may vary.
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