Yankees fan interference banned from Game 5
Two New York Yankees fans have been banned from Game 5 of the World Series after interfering with Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts in Game 4.
The Yankees announced in a statement Wednesday that fans “will not be allowed to attend tonight's game in any capacity” and added that Tuesday night's incident with Bates was “disgusting and unacceptable.”
A source told ESPN's Jesse Rogers earlier Wednesday that it was not immediately clear whether the ban against season-ticket holders Austin Capobianco and John Peters would apply to Yankee Stadium games next season.
“The safety and security of players, fans and stadium personnel is a core component of every event held at Yankee Stadium, and cannot be compromised,” the Yankees said in their statement.
“Tonight marks the last home game of the year, and we want to show our fans every ounce of passion. Yankee Stadium is known for its energy and intensity, but the excitement of supporting one's team can never intentionally exceed the limits of players. Physical risk.”
Capobianco told Rodgers that the Yankees, who had given him a refund for the Game 5 tickets, had also informed him that he would be arrested if he tried to attend the game.
“We're hoping for a short-term ban,” Capobianco told Rogers. “We don't want to lose season tickets.”
Capobianco and Peters were ejected for knocking the ball out of Bates' glove after a leaping catch by the Dodgers' right fielder in the first inning.
Bates jumped the wall along the right-field line in foul territory and caught Gleyber Torres' popup at first. Capobianco, seated in the first row and wearing a gray Yankees road jersey, grabbed Bates' glove with both hands and pulled the ball out while Peter grabbed Bates' non-glove hand by the wrist.
Bates reacted angrily, and Torres was immediately called out for fan intervention.
“When it comes down to the person playing, it doesn't matter,” Bates said after the Yankees extended the series with an 11-4 win. “We lost. It's irrelevant. I'm fine. He's fine. Everything's fine. We lost the game and that's all I'm focused on.”
This report uses information from The Associated Press.