Major League Baseball has requested that the New York Yankees ban two fans, Austin Capobianco and John Peter, who were involved in the Mookie Betts interference incident during Game 4 of the World Series. According to a report from Jesse Rogers of ESPN, the two fans will also receive refunds for the cost of their tickets to Game 5.
The incident in question occurred in the bottom of the first inning during Game 4, when Capobianco and Peter attempted to interfere with a play involving Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts. Betts was trying to make a catch on a foul ball down the right field line when Capobianco reached over and tried to yank the ball out of his glove. The umpires immediately ruled fan interference, resulting in Yankees batter Gleyber Torres being called out. The call took away a potentially key scoring opportunity for the Yankees early in the game.
Capobianco and Peter were quickly ejected from the stadium following the incident. Despite being removed from the game, both fans appeared to be unapologetic when questioned afterward.
In a statement that reflected a casual attitude toward the interference, Capobianco said, “We always joke about the ball in our area. 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. I know when I’m in the wrong, and as soon as I did it, I was like, ‘Boys, I’m out of here. I patrol that wall, and they know that.'”
RELATED: Yankees Fan Disrupts Stand Up To Cancer Moment by Chanting ‘You Suck, Freeman’
The remarks suggest that the interference may have been premeditated, as Capobianco and Peter seemed to have a plan for how they would act if a ball came their way.
Their lack of remorse drew criticism from both fans and analysts, with many questioning the behavior of fans who would interfere with a crucial play during a high-stakes game like the World Series.
The decision to ban Capobianco and Peter from Game 5 is part of MLB’s effort to maintain the integrity of the game and ensure that players can perform without interference from fans.
Fan interference has long been a contentious issue in baseball, with incidents like this one serving as a reminder of the potential consequences when spectators overstep their boundaries.
Game 5 of the World Series is scheduled for Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. With the Yankees trailing in the series, the game is a must-win if they hope to keep their season alive and force a Game 6 back in Los Angeles.
The incident involving Capobianco and Peter has added an extra layer of tension to an already high-stakes matchup, as the Yankees look to rally and extend their World Series hopes.
