Fan interference in New York has entered a new dimension after an in-play clash between Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts and a pair of Yankees fans.
In Game 4 of the World Series, Betts initially caught Gleyber Torres’ popup at the wall in the foul zone, only for Yankees fan Austin Capobianco to tussle with Betts and wrestle the ball out of his glove.
Fox Sports: MLB took to X to share footage of Tuesday night’s incident:
While the Dodgers led by two runs at that stage, they couldn’t execute a sweep, ultinately losing 11-4 to the Yankees, leaving the series 1-3 in favor of LA.
LA’s rookie pitcher Ben Casparius stated the incident so early in the game “kind of set the tone.” He added:
I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Capobianco, however, later admitted to ESPN that he and a friend had long schemed over how to help the Yankees if a foul ball came their way. When the moment arrived, Capobianco got Betts’ ball out while his friend held down the right fielder’s non-glove hand.
Torres run was instantly ruled out on fan interference and the Yankees pair were ejected from the stadium.
“I know when I’m in the wrong and as soon as I did it, I was like, ‘Boys I’m out of here,’” the Yankees fan told ESPN. “I patrol that wall and they know that.” According to ABC News, the pair were told “they would be allowed back for Game 5 on Wednesday.”