As if the New York Mets don't have enough problems with their slide in the National League East standings, an exploding bat has sent an injured fan to court.

James G. Falzon, his wife and son are suing the Mets; second baseman Luis Castillo; former Mets catcher Ramon Castro, now with the Chicago White Sox; and Major League Baseball for injuries he sustained when a maple bat shattered and hit him three years ago.

In his New York Supreme Court suit filed this month, Mr. Falzon said he and his son, then 11, were sitting behind the dugout along the third base line at Shea Stadium when Mr. Castillo hit a broken-bat, two-run single off Atlanta Braves reliever Ron Mahay. The bat, owned by Mr. Castro, shattered and the barrel struck Mr. Falzon in the face.

According to the suit, Mr. Falzon sustained multiple facial fractures and continues to suffer permanent bodily injuries and pain.

While players traditionally used bats made of ash, the suit said maple bats became popular after home run king Barry Bonds began using them in 2001.

However, a 2005 study showed that ash bats typically crack when they break, but maple bats tend to break apart or explode, the suit says. As a result, MLB in 2007 required all approved maple bat suppliers to increase their liability insurance to $10 million from $1 million, according to the suit.

The suit also says the Mets should have provided safety netting to protect spectators.

Perhaps ironically, the Mets went on to win that game, 4-3.