Some fads are extremely hard to eradicate: sagging pants, flash mobs, and Phillies fans playing tag with security.
On Monday, a 17-year-old from Northeast Philadelphia wearing a red spandex body suit ran onto the field at Citizens Bank Park during the seventh inning. Braves outfielder Matt Diaz tripped up “the Red Man” in left field, drawing applause from the crowd, and police arrested him without incident. He was later identified as Sean Hagan
The incident marks the third such disruption this year at a Phillies game and by yesterday morning the video had gone viral, popping up on several fan sites. Sal DeAngelis, head of ballpark security, is concerned that the incidents could lead to copycats.
“People should know that when there is a field intrusion you are getting arrested and you will go to jail,” DeAngelis noted. He said security has done a “great job” handling a number of situations.
“It’s unfortunate that a few bad apples have brought Philadelphia sports to the national media,” he said. Hagan faces disorderly conduct and defiant trespass.
“He did the wrong thing and it’s not to be glorified,” his mother, Barbara Hagan, said yesterday as his parents picked him up from the Youth Study Center where he spent the night.
