SerpApi.Org
Royals fans love the traditional Salvy Splash following a win, but there was one of a different kind during the Royals’ 5-4 victory over the San Francisco Giants at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
A historic one.
Royals catcher Salvador Perez hit the 317th home run of his career in the seventh inning, tying George Brett for the franchise record. Perez crushed a sinker from San Francisco’s Landen Roupp, hitting a baseball that had an exit velocity of 108.7 mph off his bat.
The ball traveled an estimated 437 feet, where it splashed down in the fountains in right-center field. A short while later, the Royals’ TV cameras showed a fan trying to reach into the water to retrieve the ball - but that’s a no-no, as broadcaster Jake Eisenberg noted.
Signs at The K state that “Persons entering the fountains will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Dana Wright of KMBZ (98.1 FM) shared a photo of one of those signs in a Facebook post not long after Perez had finished his trip around the bases.
Wright wrote: “OMG buddy of ours is sitting RIGHT WHERE SALVY hit the home-run to tie George Brett’s franchise record!!!!!! DUDE WENT INTO THE FOUNTAIN AFTER THE BALL WAS HIT AND GOT ARRESTED. #royals #FountainsUp NOT #fountainsIN #salvy”
Among the photos Wright shared was one showing a person in handcuffs. And, ironically, he was wearing a Perez jersey.
After the game, Perez was asked for the fan’s release.
“Please, police, just take care of the job please, OK, and send him home,” Perez told reporters. “If was him I’d maybe jump too and try to get that ball, so please. And thank you for the hard work in trying to get that ball.”
The police probably didn’t hear of Perez’s request, but the Royals said the man was issued a ticket and released.
