Phillies Fan Tasered After Reaching Outfield

The story about a Phillies fan tasered overshadowed a big game last night. The Phillies fan tasered was a 17-year-old who left the stands and ran onto the Citizens Bank Park field. That in itself wasn't surprising as that kind of thing can happen anywhere. In Philadelphia, that sort of thing is always used as examples of their infamous sports reputation. But in this case, it was the police that made the big headlines this time in the way they got this fan off the field. When the Phillies fan was tasered, it officially became an unique chapter in Philadelphia sports fan history.

In the eighth inning of the Phillies-Cardinals game in Philadelphia, the home team had already gone down big, en route to a 6-3 loss. At that point, an unidentified fan went onto the outfield, causing police to give chase. But they chose to stop him in a way that isn't usually seen on the baseball field.

They decided that the Phillies fan should be tasered, and they did so in front of the sellout crowd and teams. Tasering has been in the headlines more and more lately, but this may be the first time it became part of a sporting event. Both teams told the Associated Press that it's the first time tasers were used to apprehend a fan on the field, at least.

When the Phillies fan was tasered, several players actually tried not to laugh, according to the Associated Press. However, the incident is now no laughing matter, now that questions about excessive force are being asked. In situations like this, Philadelphia fans are accused of going overboard and over the line, but now that may be asked about the police this time.

In this "Don't tase me, bro!" era, the use of this weapon has become more controversial than ever. More often, there are reports of cops who use it as a first resort, instead of as a last. In the past, it wouldn't be thought of as an option to stop a rowdy fan - at least not in front of an entire stadium.

But not everyone was displeased to see the Phillies fan tasered. Local radio host Chio came down in favor of it and said it might stop fans from going on the field in the future. But he admitted this would make the media ask once again, "What is wrong with the people of Philadelphia?"

Just a few weeks ago, a fan was accused of making himself vomit on a cop and his daughter. Now with this Phillies fan tasered, the cops are the story in this case. Usually, incidents with Eagles fans give Philadelphia a bad name, but Phillies fans - and security - may be catching up.

As the Phillies fan tasered story is making the rounds, internal affairs is now looking into whether this was 'proper use' of the equipment.

Sources

Associated Press- "Phillies fan tasered after running onto field"

MyFoxPhilly- "Chio On Tasering: 'I Think It's Great'"