Pediatric Cancer Patient Receives Banned Yankees Fans' MLB World Series G5 Tickets

The New York Yankees banned two fans, Austin Capobianco and John Peter, from Game 5 of the World Series on Wednesday night after the pair ripped the ball out of Mookie Betts' glove during a pop-out in the first inning of Tuesday's Game 4.

The team announced that the tickets would instead be going to a "pediatric cancer patient and his family," according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.

"The safety and security of players, fans and Stadium staff is the foundational element of every event held at Yankee Stadium, and it cannot be compromised," the Yankees said in a statement. "Tonight marks the final home game of year, and we want every ounce of our fans' passion on display. Yankee Stadium is known for its energy and intensity, however the exuberance of supporting one's team can never cross the line into intentionally putting players at physical risk."

Capobianco, a season-ticket holder, told ESPN's Jesse Rogers that the Yankees refunded him the cost of the Game 5 tickets and informed him that he would be arrested if he attempted to attend the contest. Per Rogers, a source added that it remains unclear if the ban for Capobianco and Peter would extend to next season.

"We're hoping for a short-term ban," Capobianco said. "We don't want to lose the season tickets."

The Major League Baseball Players Association said it is monitoring the Yankees' response to the incident.

"The MLBPA takes Player safety and security very seriously, including and especially at the ballpark," MLBPA executive director Tony Clark said in a statement. "As with every incident at the ballpark that affects Players, we have been in regular contact with League security officials since last night's incident and will be closely tracking both the response to that incident and the protective measures taken going forward, beginning tonight."

As for Betts, the superstar outfielder didn't seem terribly interested in addressing the situation in depth when asked about it by reporters on Tuesday night.

"When it comes to the first-inning play, it doesn't matter," he said. "We lost. It's irrelevant. I'm fine, he's fine, everything's cool. We lost the game, and that's what I'm kinda focused on. We gotta turn the page and get ready for tomorrow."

The Dodgers currently lead the World Series, 3-1, with Game 5's first pitch scheduled for 8:08 p.m. ET at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday.