If it had been a foul ball or broken bat that struck John Coomer in the eye as he watched a Kansas City Royals game, its unlikely the courts would have forced the team to pay for the surgeries and suffering hes endured. But because it was a hot dog thrown by the team mascot behind the back, no less he just may have a case. The Missouri Supreme Court is weighing whether the "baseball rule" a legal standard that protects teams from being sued over fan injuries caused by events on the field, court or rink should also apply to injuries caused by mascots or the other personnel that teams employ to engage fans. Because the case could set a legal precedent, it could change how teams in other cities and sports approach interacting with fans at their games.
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