Major League Baseball has banned two fans indefinitely from attending games at any ballpark after they interfered with Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts during a World Series game at Yankee Stadium.
The league sent a letter to Austin Capobianco and John P. Hansen this week informing them of the decision.
“On October 29, 2024, during Game 4 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium, you interfered with the game by intentionally and forcefully grabbing a player. Your conduct represented a serious risk to the health and safety of the player and went far beyond the line of acceptable fan behavior,” the letter said, the contents of which were first reported by the New York Post and later obtained by AP, ESPN reported.
Based on his conduct, Major League Baseball has banned him indefinitely from entering all MLB stadiums, offices and other facilities.
“You are hereby also indefinitely prohibited from attending any event sponsored or associated with MLB. Please be advised that, if you are found at any MLB property or event, you will be removed from the premises and subject to arrest for trespassing.”
MLB previously issued league-wide bans for fans invading the field or threatening baseball personnel. A fan who approached Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. at Colorado’s Coors Field in 2023 received a similar ban.
Capobianco and Hansen were ejected from the game on October 29 and excluded from Game 5 the following night.
The play that led to the expulsion of the fans
During the fourth game of the 2024 World Series, Betts jumped to the containment wall in foul territory and caught a fly ball from Gleyber Torres during the first inning of the game, but a fan in the front row in a gray Yankees jersey grabbed Betts’ glove with both hands and pulled the ball out. Another fan grabbed Betts’ other hand.
The Yankees at the time called the behavior “atrocious and unacceptable”.
The team said Friday that the two MLB-banned fans were not season ticket holders. The Post reported Friday that the person who is a season ticket holder was not at the game and will be allowed to keep it.
Read the full article here
