Broadcaster 'ejects' young Blue Wahoos fan

By the letter of the law, fan interference in a ballgame can lead to that fan’s ejection. But it doesn’t expand on what that ejection entails.

On Wednesday night, in Double-A Pensacola’s 14-6 loss to Mississippi, this rule came into effect. The fan’s punishment, as levied by the home team's broadcaster: an "ejection," but not until after the postgame fireworks show and an arranged meeting with -- and autographed baseball from -- Marlins prospect Jake Thompson, who hit the ball in question.

The incident occurred in the bottom of the seventh inning. Thompson crushed a ball to right field that was snagged by a young fan just above the wall.

Thompson rounded the bases and headed to the dugout before the umpires stepped in and called spectator interference on the fan. The home run was changed to a two-run triple.

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Considering the gravity of the situation, Pensacola’s broadcaster, Erik Bremer, took matters into his own hands.

Jake Thompson hits a home run.
Umpires rule fan interference.
Sawyer gets "ejected" in the broadcast booth.
Sawyer gets to meet Jake Thompson!

Just another night at Blue Wahoos Stadium. pic.twitter.com/20F7lsceWe

— Pensacola Blue Wahoos (@BlueWahoosBBall) June 6, 2024

Bremer invited the young fan, Sawyer, to the broadcast booth for an in-game interview, during which he confirmed that he'd caught the ball “well above the yellow line” and discussed potential “fines” and “additions to the fan’s criminal record.” They then ironed out the details to his “ejection.”

The verdict: Sawyer would meet up with Thompson after the game for a photo and to have the ball he caught signed. The club would also delay his eventual ejection until after the fireworks that were set to follow the end of the contest.

Bremer also offered the fan free tickets to the next Blue Wahoos game he plans to attend.

All in all, that’s one hefty punishment. Hopefully young Sawyer has learned the error of his ways!