Even before Tom Brady was penalized, Major League Baseball boosted its prevent defense. As part of a new security plan this season to further safeguard game balls, an MLB representative now watches them get carried by a clubhouse assistant from the umpires' room to the field. ''It's precautionary, I guess.'' MLB said many changes in the pumped-up policy for ball security and storage were discussed by equipment managers last December at the winter meetings. MLB said it was aware of the Patriots' situation as it put the procedures into effect on opening day at every stadium. More...