Two New York Yankees fans who were ejected from Game 4 of the World Series for interfering with play have been banned from Wednesday night’s game.
The league and club released a statement saying the two fans who were involved in a ball being pried from Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts’ glove would not be permitted at the game.
"Well, A for effort."
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 30, 2024
Fan interference was called on this play where a Yankee fan tried to take the ball out of Mookie Betts' glove after an out. pic.twitter.com/iZ6taImncd
“Last night two fans were ejected from Yankee Stadium for egregious and unacceptable physical contact with Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts,” the statement reads. “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.
“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.”
ESPN spoke to one of the fans, Austin Capobianco, who is a Yankees season-ticket holder. He said the Yankees had refunded him for the cost of his ticket but said he would be arrested if he attempted to attend Wednesday’s game.
“We’re hoping for a short-term ban,” Capobianco told ESPN. “We don’t want to lose the season tickets.”
The incident occurred when Betts leaped at the wall in foul territory and initially caught Gleyber Torres’ pop-up in the first inning. But Capobianco grabbed Betts’ glove with both hands and pulled the ball out. Capobianco’s friend, John Peter, grabbed Betts’ non-glove hand
Betts reacted angrily, and Torres was immediately called out on fan interference.
“When it comes to the person in play, it doesn’t matter,” Betts said after the game, which the Yankees won 11-4. “We lost. It’s irrelevant. I’m fine. He’s fine. Everything’s cool. We lost the game and that’s what I’m kind of focused on. We got to turn the page and get ready for tomorrow.”
Capobianco told ESPN that he and Peter had previously discussed the exact scenario that came to pass.
“We always joke about the ball in our area,” Capobianco told ESPN. “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.”
It was the second time Torres had an at-bat affected by fan interference this World Series. With two outs in the ninth inning of Game 1 at Dodger Stadium, Torres hit a fly ball to left field, and a fan reached over and caught the ball. Torres was awarded a double.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Dodgers rookie pitcher Ben Casparius. “It’s pretty interesting. It was obviously very early in the game so I think it kind of set the tone.”
The Dodgers lead the series 3-1 and will attempt to secure their second title in five years and eighth in franchise history on Wednesday when Jack Flaherty opposes Gerrit Cole in a rematch of Game 1.
