On May 5, 1972, Ellis, Willie Stargell and Rennie Stennett missed the team bus to Riverfront Stadium. A security guard asked the three for identification; Stargell and Stennett complied and were allowed in, but Ellis did not have identification with him. The guard said that Ellis did not identify himself, appeared drunk, and "made threatening gestures with a closed fist." Ellis showed his World Series ring as evidence of his affiliation with the Pirates, but in response, the guard maced Ellis. Ellis was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.