Chicago ? Kansas City Royals coach Tom Gamboa, above, said he accepted the apology of a 15-year-old fan who attacked him on the field during a game and hopes the boy learns from his “tragic mistake.”

Gamboa said Thursday he would like to see the boy receive probation and community service because the boy was already held for a month in juvenile detention after the September attack at Comiskey Park.

“I can’t see a 15- or 16-year-old kid being thrown down the drain for making a tragic mistake,” Gamboa said while testifying at the teen’s sentencing hearing.

Gamboa, himself a father of five, added afterward: “I sure hope he turns out OK.”