Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. was knocked over Monday night as fans jumped on the field. "Initially, one fan wearing a white T-shirt went out to give Acuña a hug and take a selfie before multiple security guards pulled him off the Braves outfielder," reports WSB-TV. "As that was happening, another fan, also wearing a white T-shirt, approached Acuña and greeted him, and then pushed Acuña over, before the fan was taken down by security." Here's what happened during all the chaos.
"I was a little scared at first, but I think the fans were out there and asking for a picture," Acuña said through interpreter Franco García to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. "Security was able to get there, and so I think everything's OK, everyone's OK." "And then when Ronnie fell down, your mindset changes a little bit," outfielder Kevin Pillar told the paper. "You go over there and you don't think about any repercussions. You just want to get him out of there safely."
"I don't think they had any ill intentions. I think that was pretty evident early on," Pillar told the AJC. "Still, I mean, we have these rules and regulations in place. We're supposed to feel safe on the field. Thankfully, they weren't there to do any harm." He added: "You just never know during those situations what people's intentions are. Luckily, they were just extreme fans of Ronnie and wanted to get a picture or put their hands on him. But in no way is it appropriate for people to leave the stands, even more to put their hands on someone else. You don't ever really expect it."
"Two men were arrested after running onto the field at Coors Field during the Colorado Rockies game on Monday and knocking down an Atlanta Braves player, the Denver Police Department said on Tuesday," reports 9News. "Jefferson Gonazels-Merida and Carlos Rivelo-Paiz both entered the field without prior permission and made physical contact with a player from the visiting team, Denver Police said in a statement. Both men are from Denver." The paper added: "Coors Field staff escorted them off the field, and they were taken into custody by Denver Police officers. Both were arrested on charges of trespassing and disturbing the peace. A third person, a juvenile male, also briefly entered the field and went back into the stands, according to DPD."
"After the Braves beat the Rockies, 14-4, this seemed to be the consensus in the clubhouse: The fans didn't have malicious intent. They were simply looking for pictures. Still, their actions were unacceptable and could've been dangerous," concludes the AJC.
Bleacher Nation summed it up nicely: "If you're here reading this, you already know it, but I cannot emphasize it enough: DO NOT DO THIS. DO NOT BE THESE PEOPLE. It is bad and stupid and dangerous for its own reasons, but you're also giving league operators a reason to think about even larger and more intrusive barriers between fans and players. That is less fun for all of us!"
