MLB talking to FBI, Homeland Security about preventing drones at ballparks

Major League Baseball is in discussion with several federal agencies about preventing drones from entering stadiums during games after five contests were delayed during the 2020 season.

"The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) has a temporary flight restriction in place over major-league ballparks on game days, which includes a general prohibition on drone operations," MLB said in a statement obtained by Bill Shea of The Athletic. "Along with other impacted organizations, MLB is actively involved in discussions with the FAA, DOJ (United States Department of Justice), FBI, Homeland Security, and other relevant federal agencies to seek additional help in preventing unauthorized drone flights over outdoor professional sporting events."

Drones are protected under federal aviation laws that prevent the unmanned aerial vehicles from being seized or taken down.

"Each ballpark has a response plan in place if an unauthorized drone flight becomes a safety or security issue, including attempts to identify the pilot of the unauthorized flight, but drones are considered aircraft and the same federal laws restricting interference with manned aircraft currently apply to drones," MLB said.

The league statement added that MLB is "diligently pursuing appropriate federal congressional action to legally enable more robust mitigation efforts. But in the meantime, it is important for drone hobbyists to understand that flying drones over stadiums during games is dangerous, against the law, and could subject them to criminal prosecution and civil liability."