It’s not often that fans who jump onto the field during games make contact with a player. While some are able to evade security, usually the fan in question is escorted off the field before getting too close to any players on the field.
On Monday night, however, Ronald Acuña Jr. was alarmingly on the receiving end of being physically accosted by fans during a game.
During the Atlanta Braves’ visit to Coors Field to play against the Colorado Rockies, a pair of fans were able to jump into the outfield during the game. Not only were they able to make it onto the field, the fans were able to get close enough to Acuña to touch him before security arrived.
From video captured in the stadium, it seemed as if the fans were looking to take a selfie with Acuña, but the entire situation was quite scary all the same.
Two fans ran onto the field and tried to grab Ronald Acuña Jr. pic.twitter.com/z04x9HhOlk
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) August 29, 2023
Thankfully, Acuña was okay after the incident and the fans were taken by security, but what a mess overall.
Multiple fans in Colorado ran onto the field and tangled up with Ronald Acuña Jr. in right-center before being detained by security. pic.twitter.com/jaFxadmm8v
— Bally Sports South (@BallySportsSO) August 29, 2023
The MLB world, however, was horrified that fans were able to grab Acuña on the field as easily as they did.
It’s bad enough to come on to the field during live play. It’s ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE to come at a player — they deserve safety the same as anyone else. https://t.co/AgifyZ0vjL
— Jessica Hicks (@rxdoctor14) August 29, 2023
This is unbelievable and completely unacceptable. I’ve never seen anything like that before. https://t.co/EIEge7DHON
— Kenzie Margiott (@kenzie_bales) August 29, 2023
Glad everyone looks okay here. But this could have been really, really bad. https://t.co/NaTz2B6B6I
— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) August 29, 2023
Yooooo! WTH is this?? What is wrong with people?! https://t.co/aclMdjuTVo
— The Real Terrika 💙💛 (@SheKnowsSports) August 29, 2023
Where is security? Thankfully Acuna was ok, this can’t happen. https://t.co/JGjEUkiSb8
— Dom Izzo (@DomIzzoWDAY) August 29, 2023
This should absolutely never happen. What is wrong with people?! https://t.co/BFFxG6uI7m
— Tiffany (@tiffanyrw7) August 29, 2023
Massive breakdown in security. Glad Ronnie is okay. Had a flashback for a second to Tom Gamboa getting attacked in 02. https://t.co/YhkSH9ZTgl
— Jared McBee, ABD (@huntinghistory) August 29, 2023
people are insane https://t.co/YINOqwwxar
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) August 29, 2023
This is wild. How in the world do two fans get onto the field?
Don't want to be dramatic, because Ronald Acuña Jr. is okay, but you have no idea what people may do. The Tom Gamboa situation was downright scary, so you can't just assume it's some lighthearted event. https://t.co/DWUQxONR1i
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) August 29, 2023