Yankees fans who interfered with Mookie Betts were ejected from World Series Game 5

Two New York Yankees fans were banned from attending Game 5 of the World Series after disrupting Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts in Game 4.

The Yankees said in a statement Wednesday that fans “will not be permitted to attend today's game in any capacity,” adding that Tuesday night's incident involving Betts was “outrageous and unacceptable.”

A source told ESPN's Jesse Rogers on Wednesday that it was not immediately clear whether the suspensions against Austin Capobianco and John Peter, both season ticket holders, would apply to all games at Yankee Stadium next season.

“The safety of players, fans and stadium staff is the fundamental element of every event at Yankee Stadium and must not be compromised,” the Yankees said in their statement.

“Tonight is the last home game of the year and we want all the passion of our fans to be on display. Yankee Stadium is known for its energy and intensity, but the exuberance of supporting your team can never result in intentionally attacking players at physical risk.”

The team said it gave Game 5 tickets to fans to a sick child and his family who were unable to attend a children's-only press conference at the ballpark in September to mark Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Capobianco told Rogers that the Yankees had reimbursed him for the cost of tickets to Game 5 and also informed him that he would be arrested if he attempted to attend the game.

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

Tony Clark, executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, said in a statement Wednesday that the union “will closely monitor both the response to this incident and the protective measures taken going forward.”

“The MLBPA takes player safety very seriously, including and especially in the stadium,” Clark said. “As with any incident at the stadium involving players, we have been in regular contact with league security officials since last night’s incident.”

Capobianco and Peter were ejected for prying the ball out of Betts' glove in the first inning after the right fielder caught it jumping.

Betts jumped into the wall in foul territory along the right field line and initially caught Gleyber Torres' popup. Capobianco, sitting in the front row and wearing a gray Yankees away jersey, grabbed Betts' glove with both hands and pulled the ball out while Peter grabbed Betts' ungloved hand by the wrist.

Betts reacted angrily and Torres was immediately taken to task for fan interference.

“Not good. There is no place for that. It’s that simple,” New York manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday. “Come here, cheer on your team, whatever. There is no place for that. I should never lay my hands on anyone.”

Yankees left fielder Alex Verdugo said Wednesday he wasn't too surprised by what happened in New York.

“I saw it. It may have been something more extreme – some kind of attempt to rip out a ball,” he said. “But at the same time it’s kind of New York. I feel like that's what's expected out here. You expect some unique things.”

“In the end I didn’t feel like it was too serious. I think Mookie kind of shook it off too. I guess that’s just the passion that New Yorkers have.”

It was the second time in this World Series that Torres had a hit marred by fan interference. 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 out and caught the ball. Torres got a double.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.