Filed Under » Milwaukee Brewers

Campground authorities assured the public there was nothing to worry about after reports that Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder had stumbled upon a campsite in Copper Falls State Park in northern Wisconsin and attacked two boys early Thursday morning.

"The boys are just a little shaken up," said Sgt. Nick Patouhas of the Wisconsin State Park Police. "Thankfully, no one got injured. He wasn't after the campers, he just wanted their food."

According to police, Fielder wandered into the campsite around dawn on Thursday, apparently attracted by the scent of the campers' container full of snacks.

"The boys did the right thing," said Patouhas, speaking of their use of a "Fielder Hang," the well-known camping technique of storing food in a sealed container elevated 10-feet off the ground, out of reach for most animals. "Unfortunately, it seems like he's caught on to how it works, as it seems he was able to knock it down with some sort of bat and get to the food inside."

Milwaukee Brewers slugger Prince Fielder says he hopes to bring an excitement to the All-Star Home Run Derby that has never been seen before.

"People don't talk about the Derby like they do the NBA Slam Dunk Contest," said Fielder. "But all that is about to change."

In recent days, Fielder has taken early batting practice before games and has been launching balls over a bullpen golf cart, intent on at least duplicating Blake Griffin's dunk over a Kia.

"For the contest, I'm going to try to hit one over a car," says Fielder. "And not just any car. I think I'll have enough adrenaline going to clear a mid-sized sedan. Who knows. I might even try a van."

Despite being a 7-year veteran, Fielder is just 27 years-old and his youthful, marketable approach to the HR Derby is just the shot in the arm that the often staid sport of baseball needs to appeal to a younger audience.

Commissioner Bud Selig supports Fielder's car home run attempt, but insists baseball has been ahead of the promotional curve for years.

"NBA players use all these props now to dunk," said Selig. "Well, baseball has done that for years. I clearly remember Tom Brunansky using batting gloves at the first Derby in 1985."