Derek Jeter gets apology from Air Force over airman's Facebook post

TAMPA, Fla. -- The U.S. Air Force has apologized to Derek Jeter after an active-duty member posted a photo on Facebook of a citation issued to the retired New York Yankees shortstop for boating in a restricted area near MacDill Air Force Base on Monday.

Jeter, who lives on Tampa's Davis Island, was stopped by Air Force security forces on July 4 and ticketed $250 plus a $30 processing fee.

The issue came to light because of the Facebook post.

"This action is totally inconsistent with Air Force values and the responsible airman will face the appropriate disciplinary action," MacDill spokesman Terry Montrose said in a news release. "We sincerely apologize to Mr. Jeter for any inconvenience."

Montrose declined to identify the airman Tuesday and said he didn't know whether the airman played a role in issuing the citation.

The Tampa Bay Times reported that the post had two photos--one showing the citation and another that showed someone on a boat. The caption said, "On behalf of the Boston Red Sox, here is your ticket Derek Jeter."

Signs posted some 1,000 meters from the shore warn boaters against entering the area. Montrose says it's common for security forces to issue citations to boaters who drift into waters near the base.

Jeter, who retired from Major League Baseball in 2014, owns a 30,000-square-foot mansion that is about 5 miles by water northeast of the MacDill boundary.