Pirates Employee Suspended After Whipping Fan With Belt At PNC Park

PITTSBURGH, PA — The Pirates have suspended an usher after a video surfaced of him getting involved in a violent altercation with a fan at PNC Park during Sunday's game against the San Diego Padres.

A video posted online shows the usher engaged in conversation with a fan before repeatedly punching him in the face. The video also appears to show the fan spitting on the usher, who then takes off his belt and begins slapping the fan with it.

The incident occurred when the usher came to the aid of a female employee who was being harassed by two fans, the Pirates confirmed to Triblive. A spokesman said the usher's actions were "entirely unacceptable" and he has been suspended pending further review of the situation.

The incident is the latest off-the-field embarrassment this season for the Pirates, who have been an embarrassment on the field as well with a 12-24 record entering Tuesday's game.

The team came under fire last month after it replaced the No. 21 logo honoring Roberto Clemente on the right field wall with an alcoholic beverage advertisement. The Bucs promptly agreed to return the logo to the wall.

In another public relations blunder, the Pirates removed the commemorative Bucco Bricks placed outside PNC Park that had been purchased by fans without any notification. The bricks were discovered in an area recycling facility. The Pirates have offered fans commemorative replicas of the bricks.