Fans may finally think twice before throwing baseballs back onto the field now.
The New York Yankees have banned the fan who threw a baseball that hit Red Sox left fielder Alex Verdugo from the stadium for life, a team spokesman told NJ.com on Sunday.
Major League Baseball is also banning the fan from its 29 other ballparks.
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“While the Yankees appreciate the spirit and passion of our fans in our various rivalries — especially with the Red Sox — reckless, disorderly and dangerous behavior that puts the safety of players, field staff or fellow fans in jeopardy will not be tolerated,” the Yankees spokesman said in a statement. “There is absolutely no place for it at Yankee Stadium. The safety of everyone at Yankee Stadium, including guests in the stands and players on the field, will always be the top priority for the Yankees organization every time we open our doors.”
The incident happened in the sixth inning when Verdugo tossed the ball into the stands before the start of the inning. The fan apparently threw the ball back onto the field, hitting the All-Star in the back.
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Verdugo was visibly upset and angry and manager Alex Cora pulled his team off the field, momentarily.
Another fan who claimed to be sitting in the section emailed NJ.com reporter Brendan Kuty explaining that the fan threw it under the pressure of others chanting “throw it back” and did not mean to intentionally hit Verdugo.
The fan was escorted out of the stadium, but an NYPD spokesperson told NJ.com no one was arrested.
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