Steve Consalvi, the 17-year-old Penn State-bound high school senior who rushed onto the field at Citizens Bank Park on Monday, may now occupy a unique spot in MLB history. Consalvi, as you know, was tased by the cops as he scampered maniacally about the field, then hauled off the premises like a large salmon. This caused great debate across the country, and Philadelphia police met with Phillies brass to review their new tase-first-ask-questions-later policy. The result? Apparently, all field crashers from now on will be pursued the old-fashioned way; by overweight security guys who shout “Hey! Stop, you!”
Unless, that is, the field intrusion does not fall under the umbrella of “ordinary circumstances.” Like, for instance, if the intruder looks like he may be in this country illegally? The statement is not clear.
“In ordinary circumstances involving field intrusion, the Phillies game day security personnel will make the apprehension of the field jumper and turn him over to the Philadelphia Police on the field for handcuffing and subsequent charging,” the team said in a statement.
If, however, the intruder is dressed in chain mail and is waving a pair of percussion
dueling pistols, then police intervention — with tasers — is permissable.
Personally I’d like to see police German Shepherds set loose on all field intruders, like you see in those police training videos. Not only would it stop the problem, but it would likely increase attendance.
Meanwhile, Consalvi, the young boob who caused this whole mess, has lawyered up, and has released a statement.
Consalvi is charged with defiant trespass, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. His lawyer said in a statement Wednesday that the young man was apologizing for his “foolish act” and had learned a lesson.
“Steve and his family wish to apologize to all Philadelphia Phillies fans, the entire Philadelphia Phillies organization, players, staff and security, as well as the Philadelphia Police Department for what occurred that evening,” attorney Steven F. O’Meara said in a statement.
“His family hopes and prays that people will understand that teenagers do impulsive things,” O’Meara said. “This young man has never been in trouble before and has learned a valuable lesson.”
I still like the dog idea.
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Phillies Security to Handle Field Jumpers [Philly.com]
Graphic courtesy of Tauntr.com
