MLB Bans Fans Who Interfered with Mookie Betts

The two Yankee fans who grabbed Mookie Betts’ wrist and glove as he made a catch during Game 4 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium have been banned “indefinitely” from attending MLB games, properties or events, according to Dan Martin of the New York Post.

The Post obtained a letter from a league official to those fans, saying in part, “Your conduct posed a serious risk to the health and safety of the player and went far over the line of acceptable fan behavior. Based on your conduct, Major League Baseball is banning you indefinitely from all MLB stadiums, offices, and other facilities.”

The play happened during the first inning when Betts reached into the stands in foul territory to catch a fly ball hit by New York second baseman Gleyber Torres. Just as Betts jumped to make the play, one fan pried open his glove to rip the ball out, while the other grabbed Betts’ right wrist to prevent him from securing the baseball. The umpiring crew immediately signaled fan interference and called Torres out. The two fans were then ejected and banned from attending Game 5.

The play conjured memories of “The Jeffrey Maier Game”, which occurred during Game 1 of the 1996 ALCS when Derek Jeter hit a ball to the right field fence. Baltimore Orioles right fielder Tony Tarasco appeared to have settled beneath it, but Maier, a 12-year-old-fan, reached over the fence and prevented him from making the play. The umpires ruled it a home run as opposed to fan interference, and the Yankees went on the win both the game and the series, sparking their dynastic run.

The tickets used by the now-banned fans belonged to an unrelated season-ticket holder, who was not in attendance and will be allowed to keep their seats. That individual was said to have supported MLB’s decision, according to The Post’s story.

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