how petty can you get.
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.
This could be a very handy little trick to pull in Athens
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