Safety at MLB games is under threat from multiple fronts, from unauthorized technology in the skies to unruly behavior in the stands. While there was a massive brawl at the Yankees-Angels game on Thursday, drone sightings over baseball fields are not only a concern to fans, but also to outfield players, who are exposed.

That is exactly why the FBI has stepped in this time involving the Colorado Rockies.

There were drone sightings in Coors Field when the Rockies were playing the Phillies in their first home series of the season.

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The New York Post reported, “More than a half dozen drones were spotted above the stadium on April 3-5 during the Rockies’ first home series against the Phillies.”

Fans were in the stands while law enforcement tried to track who was flying them. No one was arrested right away, but the FAA said fines could still come.

FBI spokesperson Vikki Migoya stated, “The illegal drone activity did not jeopardize anyone’s safety, but there were enough violations that the teams on the ground were concerned about the number of operators that did not seem to understand the seriousness of the situation. Thus, the proactive messaging,” after the incidents.

The moment turned a normal Rockies-Phillies game night into a live security check outside the stadium.

Police, FAA, and FBI worked together after the incident.

FAA rules say no drones can fly within 3 miles of Coors Field during game time. This rule starts one hour before the game and ends one hour after it finishes. Officials said every drone check needs officers to respond and check intent. That means even small flights can pull police away from other work at the stadium.

Per the New York Post, “both the FBI and the Federal Aviation Administration issued a warning on Thursday in an attempt to keep drones away from Coors Field in the future because of the potential threat they pose.”

Drones can be used in unsafe ways at big events. They pointed to drone attacks seen in conflict areas like Ukraine and Iran. That is why massive amounts of money are being spent on drone safety at various sports events in the USA.

Breaking the rules can lead to fines up to $75,000 for each violation. Some cases can also lead to loss of drone licenses or even federal charges. The US government has focused on drone defenses at sporting events with heightened fears of them causing potential terror attacks, with $500 million being invested in security at World Cup host cities for this summer.

What happened with the Rockies is not new for MLB stadiums, though.

Cities like Boston, Chicago, Detroit, and San Diego have also dealt with drone issues during games.

A drone sighting at Fenway Park in 2019 also led to an FAA review during a Red Sox game. At Petco Park in 2017, a drone even crashed into the seats during a Padres game. Wrigley Field has also seen repeated drone warnings over the seasons.

Each time, it pulls attention away from the game while officials deal with the situation. But drones aren’t the only issue that stadiums are facing.

MLB fans may face charges after the Yankees-Angels game

While fans trash each other, MLB and the teams are stuck in between.

Yankees and Angels fans fought at Yankee Stadium during an 11-4 Angels win. Officials said the cause remained unclear after the four-game series. Angels won the 4th game 11-4, splitting the series after the Yankees ended a five-game losing streak.

The video showed fans fighting in the stands before security stepped in. Stadium security removed the involved fans immediately and escorted them out of the venue.

Officials confiscated the tickets and denied re-entry for those involved in the brawl.

Police involvement remained possible if disorderly conduct charges were filed after review.

MLB rules allow stadium bans from season-long to lifetime restrictions for fans involved in such activities. Stadium bans can be just for one venue or could be spread across multiple venues, and that depends on how the MLB sees this.

Charges may also include assault or disorderly conduct, depending on the severity of the injuries. Arrests and fines depend on what the police deem it to be. The victims can file a civil lawsuit seeking compensation for the injuries and damaged properties, such as cellphones.

MLB and the respective teams track the offenders across different teams through a shared database that holds all the info.

Now the fans and everyone involved will have to wait for the police to conduct their investigation and then make a ruling on the further steps.