(Reuters) – The two New York Yankees fans who grabbed at Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts during Game 4 of the World Series will not be allowed into the ballpark for their team’s do-or-die game later on Wednesday, the Major League Baseball team said.
Betts made a leaping catch at the wall in foul territory during the first inning of Tuesday’s game, before one fan in the front row grabbed his glove with both hands and pulled the ball out while another grabbed the player’s non-glove hand.
“The Yankees and Major League Baseball maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward the type of behavior displayed last night,” the Yankees said in a statement. “These fans will not be permitted to attend tonight’s game in any capacity.”
The two individuals were immediately ejected from Yankee Stadium for what the team said on Wednesday was “egregious and unacceptable physical contact.”
The umpires ruled fan interference on the play and Yankees leadoff batter Gleybor Torres, who hit the fly ball into foul territory, was out.
The Yankees, who won Tuesday’s game 11-4, trail the World Series 3-1 and should they extend the championship will head back to Los Angeles for the conclusion of the best-of-seven series.
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
