Raccoon causes racket at Yankees' spring training stadium

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) A raccoon caused quite a racket at spring training for the New York Yankees.

The critter was climbing a screen on the backstop at Steinbrenner Field on Sunday, about an hour before the ballpark opened for fans to watch a workout.

A stadium worker got on a lift and tried to retrieve the raccoon, but the animal lost its grip and fell into the box seats.

The raccoon quickly took off toward the right-field corner with security guards and grounds crew members in pursuit. The elusive raccoon then reversed course, headed back through the seating area and ran near the suite used by the Steinbrenner family on game days.

Eventually, the raccoon jumped its way outside the stadium. It was last seen running under a wooden walkway behind the first-base side of Steinbrenner Field.