The incident happened in the eighth inning of San Diego’s 5-1 win over the San Francisco Giants. The youngster sprinted into right field near Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr., who remained calm and observant as multiple security guards gave chase. One guard initially grabbed the fan before another speared him from behind, with a third piling on as the three red-shirted officers wrestled the boy to the turf.
Fans inside the stadium jeered the scene, with at least one patron flashing a thumbs-down in disapproval. On television, Padres reliever Jason Adam was caught making an "ouch" face as he noticed the tackle, underscoring just how jarring the collision looked. The boy, dressed in a Padres shirt and jean shorts, was eventually led off the field by security while holding his cap.
If that wasn't enough, a second fan also stormed the field in the ninth inning, this time being taken down swiftly without the same level of backlash from the crowd. Both incidents delayed play, though the Padres were able to close out the victory and snap a four-game losing streak.
Amid the commotion, the Padres' victory was a much-needed boost in the National League West race. San Diego still trails the Dodgers, with a crucial series looming at Petco Park this weekend.
Reaction to the first takedown has been divided. Many fans online criticized the show of force, while former MLB All-Star Adam Jones defended security's actions, posting on X that field invaders should face heavy fines or see their parents held accountable. "Unacceptable and a danger," Jones wrote.
Players don’t know what a fan has."
The Padres have not issued a statement on the incident, but it’s not the first time Petco Park has seen spectators rush the field. League rules allow security to remove and ban fans who interfere with games, though the level of enforcement often stirs debate.
The Padres have not issued a statement on the incident, but it’s not the first time Petco Park has seen spectators rush the field. League rules allow security to remove and ban fans who interfere with games, though the level of enforcement often stirs debate.
The young trespasser has since identified himself in a bizarre video posted to Instagram pages for Carlsbad Kickboxing Club and Carlsbad Fight Team. Speaking like he had just received a trophy instead of being tackled and hauled off by security, Frankie Swartz bragged about his stunt and issued some unsolicited life advice.
"Hi guys, my name is Frankie Swartz and I was the Padres fan that ran out on the field last night in our win over San Francisco Giants. I want to support Carlsbad Kickboxing, my gym, and I just want to say, 'live your lives, chase your dreams, take stupid bets.' Thank you Tatis for winking at me. I saw you and know you didn’t want to get in trouble. Um, yea, it was definitely worth it, and fun."
Swartz’s comments have only fueled frustration among Padres fans, many of whom see the incident as another example of a self-absorbed kid seeking clout at the expense of the game and player safety. The fact that he frames trespassing and interrupting a Major League Baseball game as "worth it" and "fun" speaks volumes about both his judgment and, frankly, the lack of parental accountability that allows this kind of behavior in the first place.
Swartz’s comments have only fueled frustration among Padres fans, many of whom see the incident as another example of a self-absorbed kid seeking clout at the expense of the game and player safety. The fact that he frames trespassing and interrupting a Major League Baseball game as "worth it" and "fun" speaks volumes about both his judgment and, frankly, the lack of parental accountability that allows this kind of behavior in the first place.
Amid the commotion, the Padres' victory was a much-needed boost in the National League West race. San Diego still trails the Dodgers, with a crucial series looming at Petco Park this weekend.
Originally published on August 20, 2025.
