The Houston Astros Highlight Of The Year

MAY 16--The Houston Astros fan who ran onto the field Friday and escaped pursuing security guards with an impressive display of parkour-like skills is a former college baseball star who was celebrating his 27th birthday that evening at Minute Maid Park, The Smoking Gun has learned.

As seen in the below video shot by a fan, personal trainer Kevin Crabtree bolted from the stands in the bottom of the ninth inning of a game between the Astros and the New York Mets. Crabtree hit the grass at the very last minute--there were two outs in the final inning, and batter Carlos Lee was facing a 3-2 count.

After running up the center field embankment and evading a cop, Crabtree hopped the outfield fence and began climbing up a series of high steps. When a stadium worker approached, Crabtree reached up and pulled himself onto the roof of a grass-covered structure beyond the outfield wall. This move was met with screams of approval from Astros fans.

After scrambling up the green incline, Crabtree pulled himself up and through a semicircular opening and disappeared from sight. Again, the crowd roared.

Crabtree was subsequently corralled and charged with criminal trespass and evading arrest or detention, both misdemeanors. Pictured in the below mug shot, Crabtree is due Friday for an appearance in Harris County Criminal Court.

A Sugar Land, Texas resident, Crabtree is a former outfielder with Stephen F. Austin State University who was a first-team All-Southland Conference selection in 2008. Click here for a photo of a collegian Crabtree in mid-swing.

According to a biography on Crabtree’s web site, the former Division I star “was expecting to be drafted in the 2008 draft by the Astros or Cardinals, as the scouts showed interest, but for whatever reason I fell short.” So Crabtree’s major league debut Friday night was not what he had long planned.

Still, his dash heard ‘round the world (the YouTube video “The Great Fan Escape” is approaching one million views) could help his personal training business. Clients everywhere would love to develop the kind of speed, strength, and dexterity exhibited by Crabtree. As he notes on his web site, “I believe that gyms and facilities are over rated to achieve your fitness goals. With my help, you can become in the best shape of your life right in your home or outdoors.” Those outdoors, though, would presumably not include baseball stadiums.

Crabtree did not respond to a message left on his voicemail or a note sent via Facebook. (2 pages)