Would Braves Tase? No, Says Spokeswoman

Published May 5, 2010 at 6:00 p.m.

(WSB Radio)  One day after a 17-year-old Philadelphia Phillies spectator was Tasered by a cop who chased the boy into the outfield, a 34-year-old man also ran onto the field at the stadium.

Tuesday night, Thomas Betz of Warminster, Pennsylvania, hopped over the left field fence and ran along the warning track in the top of the 9^th.  No one chased him, and Betz gave himself up.  There was no stun gun, and the crowd booed while some chanted, "Tase him!  Tase him!"  Monday night, a security guard at Citizens Bank Park stun-gunned the teenage fan who ran onto the field.  

Atlanta Braves spokeswoman Beth Marshall tells WSB's Bob Coxe that Taser use wouldn't happen here.

"We've never felt the need to have to use Tasers at all," she says.
   

Marshall says instead, they catch the intruder, take him to Turner Field's police holding area, and press charges--on the rare occasion that it happens.

"Actually, the last time, it was not someone who had had anything alcoholic to drink, which was a little surprising," said Marshall.
   

They haven't altered their ballpark policy because of the Philly incident.

"I think you obviously pay attention to what happens in other ballparks.  I don't think it makes us more aware; I think we're always aware of the possibilities of things like that happening."

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