Fan Interference Leads to Suspension: Two Yankees Supporters Barred from Game 5
In a shocking turn of events during Game 4 of the 2024 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers, two fans were banned from attending Game 5 after interfering with Mookie Betts’ attempt to catch a foul ball. The incident occurred in the first inning on October 29, 2024, when Yankees’ leadoff hitter Gleyber Torres hit a foul ball toward right field. Dodgers outfielder Betts sprinted toward the stands to make the catch, but was obstructed by two fans, season ticket holder Austin Capobianco and his friend John Peter.
Capobianco reached out and grabbed Betts’ wrist in an attempt to pry the ball out of his glove, while Peter grabbed his non-glove hand to prevent Betts from escaping their hold. As a result, the ball popped out of Betts’ glove, and the umpires immediately ruled that Torres was out due to fan interference.
Consequences for the Fans
Following the ejection of the fans from Yankee Stadium, Major League Baseball (MLB) took swift action. The Yankees confirmed that the two fans were banned from attending Game 5, and their tickets were refunded. However, it remains unclear if the ban will extend beyond Game 5.
In an official statement, the Yankees emphasized the importance of fan safety: “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.” The statement further underscored that while passionate fan support is encouraged, it should never cross the line into endangering players physically.
The Aftermath
Despite the interference, the Yankees went on to win Game 4 with a commanding 11-4 score, extending their season and preventing a potential four-game sweep. However, the incident added an unusual layer of drama to the series, especially involving Torres, as in Game 1, a fan had interfered with a potential home run, which was later ruled a double for Torres after a replay review. The Yankees lost that game in the 10th inning to a walk-off grand slam by Freddie Freeman.
While fan interference is relatively rare in baseball, these back-to-back incidents have brought additional tension and intrigue to the World Series, which continues with Game 5 on October 30, 2024.
