MLBPA calls for player safety after Ronald Acuna Jr. incident - ESPN

CHICAGO — A shooting that likely happened inside of Guaranteed Rate Field, followed by a scary moment for Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. in Colorado. Both in a span of four days.

While Major League Baseball is on track for a marked increase in attendance this year, the pair of high-profile incidents raised questions about the safety of players and fans inside and outside of big league ballparks.

A spokeswoman for the Major League Baseball Players Association said Tuesday that the union takes player safety «very seriously» and that it reviews club and stadium protocols throughout every season «to mitigate the possibility of similar future incidents.»

Acuña had an encounter with two fans during Atlanta's 14-4 win over Colorado on Monday night.

One fan got his arms against Acuña during the middle of the seventh inning. Two security people quickly grabbed the fan and, as they tried to drag him away, a third security person approached.

A second fan then sprinted toward the group, knocking down Acuña, and that fan was tackled as one of the security people chased him down.

The two fans are facing charges of trespassing and disturbing the peace, according to the Denver Police Department.

«I was a little scared at first,» Acuña said through an interpreter. «I think the fans were out there and asking for pictures. I really couldn't say anything because at that point, security was already there and we were already kind of tangled up, but security was able to get there and everything's OK. We're all OK and I hope they're OK.»

Teammate Kevin Pillar expressed relief Acuña wasn't hurt.

«Thankfully, they weren't there to do any harm, but you just never know during those situations,» Pillar said. «They were extreme fans and wanted