| Mets fan banned from ballpark for 3 years for shining flashlight |
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| Written by Admin |
| Tuesday, 01 May 2007 11:45 |
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NEW YORK (AP) - Frank Martinez has watched his last New York Mets game in Shea Stadium. The 40-year-old fan was banned from Mets home games for three years after pleading guilty Tuesday to shining a high-powered flashlight at a pair of Atlanta Braves players during an April 20 game. The Bronx man also must spend 15 days in jail as part of his sentence for interfering with a professional sporting event. By the time Martinez can return, the Mets will be playing in a new stadium currently under construction behind Shea. Martinez cannot watch the Mets in person at a home game until 2010. ``In a game in which the ball can travel upward of 110 mph, the defendant's actions were dangerous to both spectators and players,'' Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said in a statement. Authorities say that Martinez, seated behind home plate, turned the beam on Braves pitcher Tim Hudson and shortstop Edgar Renteria. The Braves were leading 7-0 at the time. Renteria complained to umpire Paul Emmel, who called time out and alerted security. The security officers removed Martinez and found the flashlight in his backpack, authorities said. |
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