Fan Charged In Astros Attack

A man was charged with disorderly conduct Monday for jumping out of the stands at County Stadium during a Milwaukee Brewers game last week and tackling Houston Astros right fielder Bill Spiers.

Berley W. Visgar, 23, of South Beloit, Ill., was charged with two counts of disorderly conduct, District Attorney E. Michael McCann said.

The sheriff's deputy who arrested Visgar on Friday night said he appeared intoxicated and smelled strongly of alcohol. Visgar has admitted to drinking at least three beers at the game and both beer and vodka before arriving at the stadium, the criminal complaint said.

Visgar told authorities he never wanted to hurt Spiers but had intended to jump on his back to attract the attention of the 14,000 fans attending the game, the complaint said.

Witnesses said Visgar asked fans seated around him whether they would pay his fine if he jumped onto a player or ran naked onto the field, the complaint said. Some said they would.

Visgar then scaled an 8-foot wall, ran 20 feet across the field and jumped on Spiers' back during the bottom of the sixth inning. Players from both teams quickly entered the fray.

Spiers tried to wrestle Visgar from his back but eventually fell to the ground. Spiers received scrapes to his face and had neck and back pain. The outfielder left the game during the next inning and was out of Houston's starting lineup Saturday night but pinch hit.

Visgar could have faced a more serious battery charge, but that would have required Spiers to return to Milwaukee to testify if necessary, said Assistant District Attorney Tom McAdams.

McAdams said Spiers told him he was willing to testify but with the Astros currently in the thick of the NL Central Division pennant race it could be difficult for him to return.

Prosecutors have enough evidence to pursue disorderly conduct charges without Spiers' testimony, McAdams said.

Visgar faces up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine for each charge.

He was released from jail Sunday on $1,150 cash bail, said sheriff's Sgt. Judy Knitter. His initial court appearance is scheduled Oct. 14.

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