Report: Streaker at Blue Jays game in Seattle could get deported
It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.
Or fined. Or arrested.
Or deported?
Canadians pour over the border every year for the Toronto Blue Jays’ annual visit to Seattle, and this weekend’s series against the Mariners was no exception. Blue Jays fans, mostly from from Western Canada, turned out in full force to give their team home field advantage more than 3,000 kilometres away from Toronto.
Three wins in four games, coupled with beautiful weather, and the August long weekend ensured that a good time was had by all the Canadian invaders.
Unfortunately, one fan had too good a time.
Late in Saturday’s game, a visiting fan from Canada jumped onto the field, leaving his clothes behind.
Estrada threw a gem last night. 1-hitter through 7. Jay's win.. Playing like they're in contention not the M 's. And then there was this guy #BlueJays #MarinersJays #Mariners #STREAKER pic.twitter.com/8PxkDkwSqe
— Jeff Bromley (@JeffBromley1) August 5, 2018
Streaker at the @BlueJays vs @Mariners game at @SafecoField tonight. This was hilarious. Apparently fella is from Ireland so stop blaming Jay's fans. pic.twitter.com/2XPt2KXeKc
— Siebs29 (@Insidethemask1) August 5, 2018
Fun night at the ballpark tonight even though the #Mariners lost and the #BLUEJAYS fans took the place over. #Streaker #Hero pic.twitter.com/5fT41azt5u
— Clint Berquist (@clintberquist) August 5, 2018
While stadiums can’t let fans onto the field for obvious reasons, the streaker was a crowd favourite – receiving an enormous roar during his run of freedom. After racing into the outfield, the fan was tackled by Safeco Field security and ushered off the field – with a towel covering his, uh, bat and balls.
The streaker is an Irish resident of Vancouver, but not a Canadian citizen, according to Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi. Jumping onto the field to win an $80 bet with his friends, he was still in a Seattle jail the next day.
Ran into friends of the streaker outside of Safeco. They showed us his clothes. He decided to streak on the spot. He and friends visiting from Ireland – and friends said they are starting #GoFundMe page to help bail him out! #Mariners #Streaker #BlueJays pic.twitter.com/Vf8bSR6NYm
— Shanel Pratap (@shanelpratap) August 5, 2018
According to a report from Sportsnet’s Hazel Mae, the fan could be even be deported back to his home country of Ireland.
Update: according to my source with the King County Sheriff’s office, last night’s streaker is still incarcerated. Since he is an Irish national, he could now be deported. Charges are very serious. All this because I’m told his buddies bet him $80..
— Hazel Mae (@thehazelmae) August 5, 2018
This is another example of how horribly wrong trespassing during a sporting event can go.
Seven weeks earlier in Vancouver, a pantsless BC Lions fan allegedly suffered a brain injury after he was flattened by a player after he ran onto the field during a CFL game. At last check, the fan was pursuing legal action.