Fan accused of rushing Cubs pitcher appears in court

July 6, 2007 (WLS) -- A baseball fan who allegedly rushed the mound at Wrigley Field in June appeared in court Friday.

Brent Kowalkoski is charged with trespassing during a Cubs game. He allegedly ran onto the field on June 25 and confronted Cubs pitcher Bob Howry. Prosecutors charged him with a felony, which his attorney has said is too harsh.

Kowalkoski remains on bond, although prosecutors have made a decision to seek a grand jury indictment against the Elmwood Park man. The move indicates that the state and Cubs organization are using Kowalkoski's case to show unruly fans will not be tolerated.

Flanked by his parents, the 24-year-old real estate salesman left court Friday without saying a word about the June 25 incident. During the ninth inning of a Cubs game against the Colorado Rockies, Kowalkoski allegedly charged Cubs' pitcher Howry after he gave up a three-run home run to a Rockies batter. Kowalkoski was subdued by a Wrigley Field security guard, then eventually arrested and charged with a misdemeanor.

He was released on a $75,000 bond, but then prosecutors ramped up the charge to a felony. Kowalkoski's attorney will not say if his client was intoxicated at the time of the incident but claims he had no intention of hurting anyone.

"I think the Cubs are overreacting," said attorney Kevin Bolger. "I think they are trying to send a message. Unfortunately, I think they picked the wrong individual to do so. This is not something that anybody is proud of or condones."

ABC7 Chicago's attempts to contact Cubs management regarding the case were unsuccessful.

Another Cubs fan, during a June 1 incident, ran onto the field as a result of a bet with his friends. He was brought into court Thursday and charged with a felony, as well.

Kowalkoski is due back in court later in July.

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