# Egregious fan interference at MLB game - why not lifetime ban? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** baseball-mlb\ **Created:** [October 30, 2024, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egregious-fan-interference-at-mlb-game-why-not-lifetime-ban/1009471 "2024-10-30T20:59:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2024, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egregious-fan-interference-at-mlb-game-why-not-lifetime-ban/1009471/1 "2024-10-30T20:59:09Z")
So, this happened: > **[Interfering Yankees fans banned from Game 5](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/42093437/sources-yankees-fans-interfered-mookie-betts-banned-world-series-game-5)** > > Two Yankees fans have been banned from attending Game 5 of the World Series after interfering with Dodgers star Mookie Betts in Game 4. I understand ejecting a fan who gets enthusiastic about catching a towering fly ball and leaning out into the field a bit, not paying attention to the player who would otherwise be making the play. Fine, kick that guy out. Makes sense. Guy like that, he was just a dummy, but he should have known better. Slap his wrist. He learned his lesson. But _grabbing_ the outfielder and _deliberately_ yanking the ball out of his glove? The official announcement, apparently, is that these guys were ejected and will be unwelcome at the following game, and their ticket purchase has been refunded. Really? That’s it? This is being discussed a bit already in the MLB playoffs thread but I’d like to have a broader discussion about this incident and the general policy around gross interference and extreme behavior. It seems to me these guys — and anyone who does anything this obnoxious and indefensible — should be immediately and permanently banned for life from any MLB event. And no refund on the tickets, either. You made the choice to be an asshole, you pay the price. Read the fine print. Suck it up, cupcake. Is the only reason there isn’t already such a policy in place is that nobody has previously crossed the line so egregiously, and thus the league hasn’t had a reason to create a response plan for such an event? Now that this line has been crossed, will we see a policy put in place? Does the league have defensible legal grounds to impose such a penalty now, in the absence of said policy? Should we expect a follow up announcement strengthening the punishment? Or is the league limited by some legal constraint until they do implement and announce a policy around behavior like this? ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2024, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egregious-fan-interference-at-mlb-game-why-not-lifetime-ban/1009471/2 "2024-10-30T21:05:43Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > Does the league have defensible legal grounds to impose such a penalty now, in the absence of said policy? I think the league can do what they want. They’re a private organization. As long as they’re not discriminating against a protected class, they can ban anyone for any reason at any time. ETA: I’m not advocating for a life time ban. Let him sit in the 300 level seats next year. ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2024, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egregious-fan-interference-at-mlb-game-why-not-lifetime-ban/1009471/3 "2024-10-30T21:06:26Z")
A lifetime ban would likely lead to a lawsuit, and nobody wants that. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2024, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egregious-fan-interference-at-mlb-game-why-not-lifetime-ban/1009471/4 "2024-10-30T21:21:12Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > But _grabbing_ the outfielder and _deliberately_ yanking the ball out of his glove? This should be assault and battery, not just ejection and a series ban. Unless it happened at Comiskey Park, of course, in which case fan interference and throwing glass containers at the opposing team is just a part of the game in that venue. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2024, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egregious-fan-interference-at-mlb-game-why-not-lifetime-ban/1009471/5 "2024-10-30T21:25:40Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > But _grabbing_ the outfielder and _deliberately_ yanking the ball out of his glove? I’m with you. A lot of us fantasize about catching an MLB ball and I’d probably instinctively reach for one heading my way, too. But this clown went so far beyond reasonable exuberance, he’s lucky he isn’t in handcuffs. AND a lifetime ban, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2024, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egregious-fan-interference-at-mlb-game-why-not-lifetime-ban/1009471/6 "2024-10-30T21:27:42Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > Is the only reason there isn’t already such a policy in place is that nobody has previously crossed the line so egregiously, and thus the league hasn’t had a reason to create a response plan for such an event? [It’s not unprecedented](https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/big-league-stew/10-years-since-william-ligue-son-attacked-tom-172223277--mlb.html). I highly doubt that MLB and the stadiums themselves don’t have policies in place that allow them to remove and permanently ban anyone they want (save for protected classes). ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2024, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egregious-fan-interference-at-mlb-game-why-not-lifetime-ban/1009471/7 "2024-10-30T21:52:21Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > A lifetime ban would likely lead to a lawsuit, and nobody wants that. Why? A Utah Jazz fan caught a lifetime ban from the arena for just SAYING shitty things, let alone putting his hands on a player. Let 'em sue, that’s definitely gonna go well for the plaintiffs. ---
**Author:** ![DaveUnknown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/94ad74/32.png) [@DaveUnknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveUnknown)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2024, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egregious-fan-interference-at-mlb-game-why-not-lifetime-ban/1009471/8 "2024-10-30T21:56:41Z")
Any Orioles fan of the mid-90s will remember the name Jeffery Mayer, a Yankees fan who reached over the fence and grabbed a probable catch from Baltimore’s Tony Tarasco and turned it into a home run, changing the tone of the whole series. I think he became a politician in NY? I don’t really want to look him up and remind myself. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2024, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egregious-fan-interference-at-mlb-game-why-not-lifetime-ban/1009471/9 "2024-10-30T22:02:59Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > A lifetime ban would likely lead to a lawsuit, and nobody wants that. A lawsuit for what? Nobody has an inherent right to attend a Yankees game. And the Yankees wouldn’t be banning him because of race, sex, religion, age, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2024, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egregious-fan-interference-at-mlb-game-why-not-lifetime-ban/1009471/10 "2024-10-30T22:06:13Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > Is the only reason there isn’t already such a policy in place is that nobody has previously crossed the line so egregiously > [@Munch](#): > > It’s not unprecedented Not quite the same, IMO. Although both incidents had never happened before, to my knowledge. But I don’t think you can equate the two. One had fans on the field attacking a coach, and the other interfered with a fielder trying to make a play. I’m hoping that MLB will ban those knuckleheads for life. I’m not sure, however, how they could enforce it, unless there’s facial recognition in all stadiums. > [@DaveUnknown](#): > > Any Orioles fan of the mid-90s will remember the name Jeffery Mayer Any Yankee hater (like me) remembers that crap. Replay, of course, would now overturn the call, which the gutless umpires in that game would not do. And IIRC, the Yanks gave Mayer box seats in the next game. ETA: ESPN Sportscenter just reported that those two tickets have been given to a cancer survivor. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2024, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egregious-fan-interference-at-mlb-game-why-not-lifetime-ban/1009471/11 "2024-10-30T22:18:57Z")
I would not be surprised to learn that Mookie had an injury to his wrist or hand with they way they were pulling and twisting on him. That makes it a pretty egregious act to me and think they should not have been refunded. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2024, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egregious-fan-interference-at-mlb-game-why-not-lifetime-ban/1009471/12 "2024-10-30T22:28:50Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > I’m not sure, however, how they could enforce it, unless there’s facial recognition in all stadiums. That’s what I always wonder. It’s not like the ushers are making any sort of verification. You could ban their credit card from purchasing from the ticket office, but it’s all just a wrist slap at this point. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2024, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egregious-fan-interference-at-mlb-game-why-not-lifetime-ban/1009471/13 "2024-10-30T22:34:08Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > I’m hoping that MLB will ban those knuckleheads for life. I’m not sure, however, how they could enforce it, unless there’s facial recognition in all stadiums. I used to host a corporate “tailgate” at an NFL stadium. Basically a very overpriced buffet and bar in a tent near the stadium. My employer entertained clients there before the went into the stadium, the top tier clients to the skybox and the middle tier ones to the nice seats near the 50 yard line. The football team would provide the corporate tailgaters with a photo op when th the cheerleaders. Of course there were a few occasions when a client managed to get blotto by 11am and misbehave with a cheerleader. At which point he would be escorted from the property by the security staff and banned from the stadium. They’d get his name from us if he wouldn’t provide it himself. This would piss off the client, but if we didn’t oblige, we’d all be tossed and banned. And NFL hospitality was far and away the biggest perk we offered clients. I asked the security guy how they’d be able to tell if he just bought a ticket and came in for the next game. This was in the 1990s, no cameras, never mind facial recognition software. He said the threat of a criminal trespass prosecution was enough to keep people out. I was skeptical. If you’re the CTO/CFO of a big regional bank and you get drunk at 11am and grab a cheerleader’s ass, I’m not betting you’re as risk averse as they assume. Now with facial recognition the risk-reward relationship is very different. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2024, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egregious-fan-interference-at-mlb-game-why-not-lifetime-ban/1009471/14 "2024-10-30T22:43:32Z")
Madison Square Garden already uses facial recognition technology to ban people (mostly lawyers working for firms who have lawsuits against it). From a [NYT article,](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5886126/2024/10/30/mlb-yankees-world-series-stadium-banned-fans/) Yankee Stadium ““is equipped with mechanisms to identify people who are excluded,’ said a person briefed on stadium security protocols who was not authorized to speak publicly.” ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2024, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egregious-fan-interference-at-mlb-game-why-not-lifetime-ban/1009471/15 "2024-10-30T23:42:00Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > But this clown went so far beyond reasonable exuberance They were(?) season ticket holders, and they planned together what to do if a foul ball ever came their way. This wasn’t exuberance, this was a planned effort to benefit their team by assaulting an opposing player. They were interviewed after the incident and admitted exactly what they did was what they agreed to beforehand. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2024, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egregious-fan-interference-at-mlb-game-why-not-lifetime-ban/1009471/16 "2024-10-31T00:03:00Z")
Jeffery Ma **i** er. You can google some articles/interviews/even a self-blog he wrote about his more recent views on said incident, if you wish. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2024, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egregious-fan-interference-at-mlb-game-why-not-lifetime-ban/1009471/17 "2024-10-31T00:10:46Z")
The Dodgers and Mookie need to sue their asses off. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2024, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egregious-fan-interference-at-mlb-game-why-not-lifetime-ban/1009471/18 "2024-10-31T02:20:38Z")
And in the process they guaranteed that their player was called out. By the way, **why were their tickets refunded**? If you’re going to ban someone, do it at their expense. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2024, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egregious-fan-interference-at-mlb-game-why-not-lifetime-ban/1009471/19 "2024-10-31T02:25:13Z")
Their tickets for today’s game were refunded. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2024, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egregious-fan-interference-at-mlb-game-why-not-lifetime-ban/1009471/20 "2024-10-31T03:17:37Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > And in the process they guaranteed that their player was called out. You might have seen it, but it wasn’t like they interfered with Mookie"a ability to catch it. He had it secured in his glove and his glove closed. One of them pried open the glove to pull the ball out while the other held his other hand so he couldn’t do anything or get away. I don’t know what’s worse than “egregious”, but this was deserving of every extreme descriptor you can think of. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egregious-fan-interference-at-mlb-game-why-not-lifetime-ban/1009471.md?page=2)