The Phillies have apparently offered a gesture of goodwill to the family of an 11-year-old girl who was allegedly vomited on intentionally by another "fan" at Citizens Bank Park.
Easton Police Capt. Michael Vangelo, who was watching the Phillies take on the Nationals with his 16- and 11-year-old girls Wednesday night when the alleged assault occurred, police said.
Vangelo told the Inquirer that the Phillies have invited the family to another game that will include watching batting practice from the field and buying them dinner.
"I accepted, and I don't blame the organization for this incident," Vangelo told the Inquirer. "The blame rests solely with Mr. [Matthew] Clemmens and his friend."
Clemmens, 21, of Cherry Hill, N.J., was arrested and charged with simple assault, disorderly conduct, harassment, stalking and recklessly endangering another person, corruption of minors and other charges. He posted bail on Friday. His next court date is scheduled for May 25.
Vangelo said that from the moment his family took their seats Wednesday, a group of unruly men starting disturbing anyone near them. Vangelo and his older daughter asked the men to stop, but that seemed to just cause more trouble, he said. He said he had ushers eject the unruly fans from the game, and that seemed to calm things down -- until another fan got involved.
That fan -- identified by police as Clemmens -- was sitting with another, unrelated group of fans who were also disciplined for acting out when he allegedly did what Vangelo describes as the "most disgusting thing" he's ever seen.
Clemmens positioned himself behind the 11-year-old's chair, stuck his fingers down his throat and vomited on the girl and her father, police said. Clemmens then began wailing on Vangelo after he pushed him away from the girl -- hitting the off-duty officer in the head and neck, causing his ear to bleed, police said.
Surrounding fans jumped in to help subdue Clemmens before he was arrested.
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Dave Clemmens, the uncle of Matthew Clemmens, said his nephew didn't do it on purpose.
"He's a good kid, and I think he just had a couple extra beers that might have got him a little sick," Dave Clemmens said. "He accidentally vomited. He put his hand in front of his mouth and vomited on the person in front of him, the wrong person."
Dave Clemmens said the shiner his nephew received was the result of trying to defend himself.
"He was held down and he was beat up," Dave Clemmens said.
