The Internet is abuzz this morning over the story of a 17-year-old baseball fan being tasered during Monday's Philadelphia Phillies-St. Louis Cardinals game at Citizens Bank Park. (Click here for video). Networks that broadcast sporting events all essentially share the same policy on how to handle fans that run onto the field. Generally, the cameras cut away from the scene, even if fans are cheering and the viewers would be entertained, in order to prevent future instances from occurring. If a fan seeking attention was guaranteed face time on television for hopping over the fence and heading out onto the field, of course, this kind of thing would happen more frequently. Hence the strategy being used as deterrent.

While unlikely to change anytime soon, that method has certainly lost some of its effectiveness. Since most fans of all ages carry some form of camera device on their cell phone these days combined with the emergence of YouTube, not being shown on TV does not preclude the opportunity to generate buzz. Now, if a fan is willing to deal with the risks associated with trying to outrun stadium security—places like Mets jail are pretty bad, in addition to real legal consequences—there is a great chance at attracting significant attention.

Last night's exploits of Steve Consalvi, a Penn State-bound high school senior who became a YouTube sensation overnight following the misguided tasing, is the perfect example. Unlike most idiots who run on the field, though, Consali was not drunk or high on drugs. As a matter of fact, he was thinking so clearly as to call his own father to ask whether or not he should run on the field. Despite dear ol' dad’s better judgment advising him against the decision, however, he decided to do so, anyway.

Philly.com:

"He wasn't drinking. He was not on drugs," said the father of the teen Tasered by police in the outfield at Citizens Bank Park last night.

Steve Consalvi, 17, is a senior at Boyertown High and "a real good student, heading to Penn State," according to his father, Wayne, 45, who owns Consalvi Auto Repair in Pottstown.

Steve even called from the park last night, asking for permission to run on the field, as the Phillies hosted the St. Louis Cardinals, the elder Consalvi said.

"He said, 'Dad, can I run on the field? I said, 'I don't think you should, son.' "

As a result, Consalvi made Philadelphia history, becoming the first fan tasered at Citizens Bank Park.

More from Philly.com:

"This is the first time that a Taser gun has been used by Philadelphia police to apprehend a field jumper," Phillies spokeswoman Bonnie Clark said in a statement. "The Police Department is investigating this matter and The Phillies are discussing with them whether in future situations this is an appropriate use of force under these circumstances. That decision will be made public."

Clarke’s statement is, quite frankly, surprising. I mean, not even a month has passed since 21-year-old Phillies fan Matthew Clemmens' alleged attempt to vomit on a young girl yet somehow a sober high school student ends up with the honor of being the first fan tasered at the stadium. In this example, though, it seems that the punishment did not fit the crime.

Given Philly’s reputation for unruly fan behavior, though, you can rest assured that Consalvi will be the first of many fans of the team to merit that type of punishment. Then again, given the ensuing debate on whether or not security should be allowed to use tasers over growing safety concerns, perhaps the next time a stereotypical drunk Phillies fan—in other words, this guy—gets out of line, they will be handed in a more appropriate manner.

Regardless if Philly security decides to shelf the taser gun in the future, Steve Consalvi will forever live on in Philly folklore for having it used on him last night--well, that is until the next Matthew Clemmens emerges.

Past MLB Tasing Incidents

Interestingly, Consalvi was also the first fan to be tasered at a baseball game since, you guessed it, I Am A MotherF**ker T-shirt guy (AKA Epic Beard Man and Vietnam Tom) was restrained at a 2009 Oakland A’s game. As Tauntr wrote at the time:

Also, as Barstool Sports points out, that video wasn’t “I AM A MOTHERFUCKER” t-shirt guy’s first rodeo. It turns out, he was tasered at an Oakland A’s game last year for sitting in the wrong seats and sneaking in mini vodka bottles. Shit, you can get tasered for that? I called that college.

In the A’s video, the “I AM A MOTHERFUCKER” t-shirt guy is sitting by himself, so I wonder what prompted people to complain about his behavior. It must’ve been some crazy shit, and, given his actions in the first video, that wouldn’t be surprising. I mean, after Billy Beane tore down the fort to rebuild yet again, you wouldn’t think that the franchise would want to alienate any of its six fans. Even “I AM A MOTHERFUCKER” t-shirt guy.

Here is the video of that encounter:



The only other relevant tasing video that I could find prior to that is of a Boston Red Sox fan being tasered by St. Pete police for inciting a fight at Tropicana Field during the 2008 American League Championship Series. There were too many Sullies running around the Trop for the Pinellas County cops' liking, I suppose.



It is also worth mentioning, though, that the Rays organization was hardly immune from being tasered that season. Former Tampa Bay closer Al Reyes was tasered himself at a club in Tampa celebrating his birthday in April of '08. Reyes went on to make a few ineffective appearances for the Rays that spring before being released and ending up as an extra bullpen arm for the New York Mets; in that summer, one could make the argument that going to Queens was a worse punishment than the April taser job.

Of all the characters tasered in the aforementioned videos, though, it looks like I Am A Mother Fu**er t-shirt guy has had the best luck at remaining relevant since the incident. Hopefully the Phillies kid can follow suit.

Note: If this post extended to the NFL, I would be remiss not to link to this.