Pirates Fan, Gameday Employee Get Into Viral Altercation

The Pirates lost 4-0 to the San Diego Padres on Sunday, May 4, but there was still plenty of fight put up at PNC Park… at least from the stands.

A Pirates fan got into a physical altercation with a gameday employee, and footage of the incident promptly went viral. According to a report from KDKA, the employee stepped in after the fan and one of his companions harassed a female concessions worker.

A full video of the incident can be found here.

One angle begins with the fan getting in the employee’s face as the two exchange strong words. The employee repeatedly says “Mazeroski Way,” perhaps implying that he and the fan should take the altercation outside. The employee swings first, prompting an attempted shove from the fan, who then begins to run away, taking off his hat and jacket to prepare for another go. Reengaging, the fan spits on the ground and then the employee. First backing away from the fan as onlookers attempt to break up the incident, the employee removes his belt after being spat on a second time and whips the fan with it twice.

Soon thereafter — more than two minutes into the video — security services arrive to break up the fight. Police arrived some three minutes later and took a statement from the fan and his companion. The Pirates put out a statement following the incident, saying that the employee faces a disciplinary suspension.

“We are aware of the unfortunate incident that occurred following the conclusion of yesterday’s game between a PNC Park game day employee and a guest,” the statement reads. “The employee’s behavior was entirely unacceptable, and he was immediately suspended. This incident is currently under further investigation.”