Suppose you are at a Rockies game at Coors Field, watching Ubaldo Jimenez befuddle the opposition with his 101 mph fastball and 82 mph changeup.
Suddenly, some yahoo jumps on the field and starts running around, searching for his 15 seconds of fame. Security struggles to corral the wayward fan, so they use a Taser to subdue him. The fan flops to the ground, his stupid bravado reduced to Jell-O.
The situation is resolved, but the question lingers: Is the use of a Taser to subdue a sports fan excessive force?
It’s a hot issue today because a Philadelphia police officer used a Taser to subdue a 17-year-old Phillies fan who ran onto the field during a game Monday night. Of course, somebody caught the Philadelphia police and the Phillies organization are investigating to see if it was appropriate use of force, but their preliminary reports says use of the Taser was justified.
This morning, a high school senior who’s headed to Penn State. His father, Wayne, said his son was not drinking and was not on drugs. In fact, Steve reportedly called his father from Citizens Bank Park, asked permission to run onto the field, saying it would be a “once in a lifetime experience.”
Wayne Consalvi tried to dissuade his son, but it did no good. In the end, a jolt of electricity shocked some sense into the teenager.
There has long been controversy around the use of Tasers. In Arlington County, just outside Washington D.C., two men have died this year after being jolted by a Taser charge.
Last year, a 16-year-old in Detroit died shortly after being shocked in the chest with a Taser. Since then, Detroit police and other area agencies have adjusted their policies on the use of the 50,000-volt stun guns. Taser International recommended that police avoid aiming the weapon at a suspect’s chest.
Initial accounts indicate that the teenager in Philadelphia was just playing out a harmless prank. But there are fears that rabid or deranged fans could harm players, coaches or officials.
In 2002, Kansas City Royals first base coach Tom Gamboa was attacked at Chicago’s Comiskey Park by a 34-year-old fan and his 15-year-old son. Carlos Beltran, a Royals outfielder at the time, said, “We think we’re safe at the ballpark. What happened today, that tells us no matter where we are, we’re not safe.”
So, what’s your opinion? Did the Philly police act appropriately, or did they use excessive force? Weigh in on today’s “Lunch Special” poll.
Ubaldo the magnificent
OK, back to more cheerful news. I hope you stayed up to watch Jimenez dominate the Padres on Monday night. Sure, the sound of my 5:30 a.m. alarm hurt more than usual this morning, but it was worth it. My two favorite things in sports right now are watching Jimenez pitch and watching Troy Tulowitzki play shortstop.
For you seamheads out there, here are some Ubaldo statistical superlatives from ESPN Stats and Information:
Quotable
“He pitches like a monster. Nasty stuff is the cleanest way you can say it. There is unbelievable life to his fastball and a lot of movement. He’s special.” — and improved to 6-0 with a 0.87 ERA.
Blog spot
The Post’s to Avalanche players. Dater gives Darcy Tucker a B.
“Last year, Darcy Tucker was pretty terrible, probably deserving of a ‘D.’ But I thought he was better this year, and not just on the ice either,” Dater blogs. “I thought he was a good veteran leader with this team this year, and I just thought he was a different guy in the locker room. He did a nice thing by taking a rookie player — Ryan O’Reilly — into his home for the year, and several other young players said he was a strong, positive influence on them.”
In case you missed it
There is a pretty cool family rivalry going on tonight in Fort Collins. First year Fort Collins High baseball coach Frank Gonzalez is leading the Lambkins against the three-time defending state champion Rocky Mountain Lobos. The Lobos’ best player? Frank’s son, Marco.
Denver Post online prep sports editor
Patrick Saunders: 303-954-1720 or psaunders@denverpost.com
