Talking Points: Metal detectors at Mariners games

1.

Entering Safeco Field will be a bit like going through an airport this season.

The Seattle Mariners announced Tuesday that fans entering Safeco Field will have to walk through metal detectors starting with this year’s opener.

Major League Baseball has told its 30 teams they must implement security screening for fans by then, either with hand-held metal detection or walk-through magnetometers.

MLB spokesman Michael Teevan says “This procedure, which results from MLB’s continuing work with the Department of Homeland Security to standardize security practices across the game, will be in addition to bag checks.”

2.

Speaking of security fears, Olympic speedskater Tucker Fredricks is heading to the Winter Games in Russia next month. But he’s asked his family to stay home in Wisconsin because of security concerns.

The athlete from Janesville will be competing in his third and last Olympics after finishing 12th in the 2010 Vancouver Games. His parents, Dan and Shawn Fredricks, attended the 2010 Games and the 2006 competition in Torino, Italy.

Dan Fredricks tells The Janesville Gazette his son is worried about the family’s security, so they will stay home so he can concentrate on skating.

The State Department is advising any Americans traveling there to “remain alert regarding their personal security.”