Two Yankees fans banned from World Series Game 4 after grabbing ball from Betts

Two New York Yankees fans who were ejected from Game 4 of the World Series for disrupting play have been banned from Wednesday night’s game.

The league and club released a statement saying the two fans involved in a ball being spiked from Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts’ glove would not be allowed into the game.

“Last night, two fans were ejected from Yankee Stadium for blatant and unacceptable physical contact with Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts,” the statement read. “The safety and security of players, fans and stadium personnel is the fundamental element of any event held at Yankee Stadium and should not be compromised.

“Yankee Stadium is known for its energy and intensity, but the exuberance of supporting your team can never cross the line and intentionally put players in physical danger.”

ESPN spoke to one of the fansAustin Capobianco, Yankees season ticket holder. He said the Yankees had refunded him the cost of his ticket, but said he would be arrested if he tried to attend Wednesday’s game.

“We hope for a short-term ban,” Capobianco told ESPN. “We don’t want to lose the season tickets.”

The incident occurred when Betts jumped to the wall in foul territory and initially caught Gleyber Torres’ pop-up in the first inning. But Capobianco grabbed Betts’ glove with both hands and pulled the ball out. Capobianco’s friend, John Peter, took Betts’ hand without gloves

Betts reacted angrily and Torres was immediately called out for fan interference.

“When it comes to the person in the game, it doesn’t matter,” Betts said after the game, which the Yankees won 11-4. “We lost. It’s not relevant. I’m doing well. He’s doing well. Everything is cool. We lost the game and I’m kind of focused on that. We have to turn the page and get ready for tomorrow.”

Capobianco told ESPN that he and Peter had previously discussed the exact scenario that would play out.

“We always joke about the ball around us,” Capobianco told ESPN. “We are not going to go out of our way to attack. If it’s in our region, we’ll go to ‘D’. Someone defends, someone knocks the ball. We talk about it. We are willing to do this.”

It was the second time Torres had an at-bat affected by fan interference during this World Series. With two outs in the ninth inning of Game 1 at Dodger Stadium, Torres hit a fly ball to left field, and a fan reached over and caught the ball. Torres got a double.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Dodgers rookie pitcher Ben Casparius said. “It’s quite interesting. Obviously it was very early in the game, so I think it set the tone.”

The Dodgers lead the series 3-1 and will try to secure their second title in five years and eighth in franchise history on Wednesday when Jack Flaherty takes on Gerrit Cole in a rematch of Game 1.