By Amy Tennery
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Two New York Yankees fans who grabbed Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts during Game 4 of the World Series have been banned indefinitely from all Major League Baseball stadiums, according to a letter obtained by Reuters on Friday.
Betts made a leaping catch at the wall in foul territory during the game at Yankee Stadium before one fan grabbed his glove and pulled the ball out while another grabbed the player’s non-glove hand. The two fans were immediately ejected.
The Dodgers went on to beat the Yankees four games to one.
An MLB official wrote to the two fans, Austin Capobianco and John P. Hansen, earlier this week informing them of the ban. The two fans would be subject to arrest for trespass if they are found at any MLB property or event.
“You interfered with play by intentionally and forcefully grabbing a player. Your conduct posed a serious risk to the health and safety of the player and went far over the line of acceptable fan behavior,” the official wrote.
“Based on your conduct, Major League Baseball (“MLB”) is banning you indefinitely from all MLB stadiums, offices, and other facilities. You are also hereby banned indefinitely from attending any events sponsored by or associated with MLB.”
(Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York; Editing by Ken Ferris)
