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Yankees startled by unexpected visitor in Safeco Field dugout

The New York Yankees were going about their business in impressive fashion on Wednesday when an unexpected and unwelcomed visitor dropped into their dugout.

Literally.

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According to New York Daily News, a fan tumbled into the Yankees dugout during the eighth inning of their 5-0 win against the Mariners. Fortunately, the Yankees were in the field at the time of the incident. Otherwise there would have been a greater chance of the fan landing on and perhaps injuring a player or coach.

Instead, it seems he only rung his own bell.

From the Daily News story:

The Yankees dugout had mostly emptied out in the middle of the eighth inning as the Bombers took the field for the bottom of the frame.

That’s when Brian McCann heard what he described as “a loud thud,” then saw a fan on the floor of the dugout looking dazed and confused.

“He hit his head on the ground; it looked like he was out of it,” McCann said. “He basically knocked himself out. It was a loud thud, I turned around and he was out of it.”

Joe Girardi said the fan’s appearance in the dugout startled him initially.

“It kind of freaked me out, actually,” Girardi said. “I think he tried to jump in, but he was probably not in a state to be walking.”

It’s a pretty scary situation considering that no one actually knows what the man’s intentions were. He obviously had something in mind though if the reports that he jumped in are accurate.

A fan reportedly tumbled into the Yankees dugout during Wednesday's game at Safeco Field. (Getty Images)
A fan reportedly tumbled into the Yankees dugout during Wednesday’s game at Safeco Field. (Getty Images)

We’ve written a lot lately about keeping fans safe at the ballpark. That would include extra netting around home plate, which MLB has suggested should be extended to the inner edge of each dugout. Some are also in favor of netting that goes beyond the dugout, which given a situation like this would also protect the players from someone trying to gain access to the dugout.

It’s not something that happens a lot, fortunately. Though we’re sure security at various stadiums has done it’s part to prevent such incidents too. Still, it might not be a bad idea to consider that extra netting as a means to protect people on both sides.

Yeah, it may not make getting any autograph the most convenient. Sure, the fans line of a vision may be slightly obscured. If it means keeping people safer though, it’s worth considering on this larger scale.

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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!