A Pittsburgh Pirates gameday employee has been suspended for an altercation during which he took his belt off and started whipping a fan with it during Sunday’s game against the Padres at PNC Park, as seen in a video by a local CBS affiliate.
The fight, which was captured by a bystander, started after the fan and his friend allegedly harassed a female concession stand worker, according to KDKA Pittsburgh, which said that the Pirates employee intervened and diverted them away from the woman.
The employee and the fan appeared to be in a heated exchange before the employee threw punches.
It’s unclear what was said during the dispute, as the video has no audio.
At one point, the fan spit in the employee’s direction as they were standing a few feet apart.
That’s when the employee took off his belt and started hitting the fan with it.
The Pirates said in a statement Monday that the employee was “immediately suspended” and the situation “is under further investigation.”
“We are aware of the unfortunate incident that occurred following the conclusion of yesterday’s game between a PNC Park gameday employee and a guest,” the Pirates said, adding that they are also reviewing security footage at PNC Park in addition to the video.
“The employee’s behavior was entirely unacceptable, and he was immediately suspended. This incident is currently under further investigation.”
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police was on the scene and is a part of the investigation, KDKD reported.
It has been a strange season at PNC Park with a fan falling from the stands last week and the team upsetting the family of Roberto Clemente by removing a tribute honoring the franchise legend for an alcohol ad.
On the field, the Pirates lost Sunday’s game, 4-0, and then also fell in the first contest of their series with the St. Louis Cardinals, 6-3, on Monday.
The two teams face off at Busch Stadium on Tuesday night at 7:45 p.m. ET.
