The video of a 17-year-old fan being chased around the field and finally Tasered at a Philadelphia Phillies game drew laughs as it became an Internet sensation.
Around the major leagues, though, many players and managers aren't joining in.
MLB Players Applaud Philly Cop for TASERing Field-Jumping Fan
While some question the use of force on a teen who ran on to the field as a lark, plenty of players, baseball officials and security officers say it's difficult to make that determination in the moment. Recalling the stabbing of tennis star Monica Seles in 1993, and the beating of Royals first base coach Tom Gamboa in 2002, they stressed the need to feel safe on the field.
May 6, 2010
While some question the use of force on a teen who ran on to the field as a lark, plenty of players, baseball officials and security officers say it's difficult to make that determination in the moment. Recalling the stabbing of tennis star Monica Seles in 1993, and the beating of Royals first base coach Tom Gamboa in 2002, they stressed the need to feel safe on the field.
Gamboa was mugged by two fans at a Royals-White Sox game in Chicago. The Houston Astros had to rush to the aid of outfielder Bill Spiers when he was attacked by a fan in Milwaukee in 1999 and the NBA's Indiana Pacers brawled with Pistons fans in Detroit in 2004.
"You've got to do whatever you think is necessary to stop some of these fans," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "It's a wacko fan. I'm all for it."
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