Unruly Twins fans ticketed

By Associated Press

Last update: June 15, 2006 - 9:08 PM

The two wayward fans who dashed onto the field during a Minnesota Twins-Boston Red Sox game were ticketed for disorderly conduct, a police spokesman said, and could be formally charged with misdemeanors.

Minneapolis Police spokesman Officer Ron Reier said the men were not arrested Wednesday but the case will be submitted to the city attorney's office. If convicted, the two 21-year-olds could each face jail time, a fine or both.

With Boston's designated hitter David Ortiz at bat, fans Jacob Obermeyer and Jeffrey Arnold, both from Minneapolis suburbs, leapt out of the stands and started to run across the outfield, eluding security guards.

One ran by Torii Hunter, giving the Twins center fielder a high five. The other raced onto the infield, rounded third and dove head first into home plate.

Right after the sliding fan got to his feet, Boston batboy Nate Reese dropped him with a tackle that earned a standing ovation from fans and players in both dugouts.

"As soon as the guy rounded third, there weren't any guards around, so I thought I'd hit him," said Reese, 25, who was a wrestler at Minnetonka high school and played rugby in college.

"Play of the game," Twins reliever Joe Nathan said.

The praise for Reese continued in both clubhouses after the game. A Twins coach rewarded Reese with a fishing pole. "He said I caught that guy, so I should go catch some fish," he said.

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