MLB Bans Fans Who Interfered With Fly Ball From World Series Game 5

The two New York Yankees fans who interfered with Mookie Betts’ attempt to catch a Gleyber Torres fly ball in Game 4 of the World Series have been banned from Yankee Stadium for Game 5.

The incident occurred during the first inning on Tuesday, October 29, when Torres, the Yankees’ leadoff hitter, hit a foul ball to right field. Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Betts gave chase and caught the ball right in front of the stands. That’s when two fans, season ticket holder Austin Capobianco and his friend John Peter, took matters into their own hands. Capobianco grabbed Betts by the wrist and tried to pry the ball out of the glove, while Peters grabbed Betts’ non-glove hand to keep the Dodger from freeing himself.

Though the ball eventually popped out of Betts’ glove, umpires immediately called Torres out due to fan interference.

The two fans will have their Game 5 tickets refunded, according to the New York Post, though it is not clear whether their ban extends beyond Wednesday night’s game.

The Yankees went on to win Game 4 with a score of 11-4, extending their season and avoiding a four-game sweep in the best-of-seven World Series.

“Last night two fans were ejected from Yankee Stadium for egregious and unacceptable physical contact with Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts,” the Yankees said in a statement provided to the New York Post on Wednesday, October 30. “The safety and security of players, fans and Stadium staff is the foundational element of every event held at Yankee Stadium, and it cannot be compromised.”

“Tonight marks the final home game of the year, and we want every ounce of our fans’ passion on display,” the statement continued. “Yankee Stadium is known for its energy and intensity, however the exuberance of supporting one’s team can never cross the line into intentionally putting players at physical risk.”

When an ESPN reporter ID’d Capobianco and Peter Tuesday night after they were ejected from the stadium, Capobianco, 38, said that he and his buddy had prepared for the exact scenario that unfolded.

“We always joke about the ball in our area,” he said. “We’re not going to go out of our way to attack. If it’s in our area, we’re going to ‘D’ up. … Someone defends, someone knocks the ball. We talk about it. We’re willing to do this.”

While fan interference is a relatively rare event in baseball, this is oddly the second time this series that Torres has had an at bat impacted by someone in the stands. During the ninth inning of Game 1, it initially appeared as if Torres hit a two-run home run, but replay showed a fan reached over the outfield wall, where the ball was still in play. By rule, Torres was credited with a double. The Yankees eventually lost that game in the 10th inning on a walk-off grand slam by Freddie Freeman.