Mets' fan sneaks into games with fake press pass

Unless you buy a ticket it's hard to get into ballparks as a fan. As a member of Press there a few restraints. A creative, eager 18-year-old from Suffolk County in New York impersonated a reporter by using a fake I.D. card or pass as a media employee for NBC Universal. He got busted after Mets officials became suspicious and contacted sources to check his credentials. This kid was crafty to come with the idea, but I don't think it will be worth the risk in the long run. He is expected to appear in court next month, where he faces up to 7 years in prison for accounts of impersonating a media official, criminal possession of a forged instrument, falsified business records, larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, and criminal trepass.

The 18-year-old fan is under a lot of heat. This week he told Mets officials he worked for NBC and was able to watch a game between the Rockies and Mets Friday before being arrested and a game against the Padres on August 10. Apparently, the fan posed as a reporter and used his fake credentials to talk to some of the players before and after the game. That must have been cool, but his scheme back fired and now he's got to suffer the consequences. I'm surprised someone hasn't tried to pull this stunt before now. The next thing that will happen is some bozo will dress like one of the team mascots to get in the game. Don't ask me how they'll do it, they just will.

You have to be smart to be a great criminal and scam people. Too many average Joes what to try their hand at scam artistry. Usually their plots never work out and they end up broke and serving long-term jail time. The teenage fan has probably learned his lesson. I don't think it will be a wise move for violent drunk fans to try to sneak into games in the future. They'll just cause too much of a scene. Besides it will look out of place for a professional sports reporter to sock a mascot with a bat or lock him in a choke hold while yelling obscenities.