3:18 PM PT -- Rich Hill just responded to the news about his arrest ... and he says while he still respects law enforcement, he just couldn't stand by and watch his wife get cuffed for trying to bring a fanny pack into the stadium.
Rich goes on to say, "This was all overblown and we are glad to have it behind us." His attorney, Francis T. O'Brien of O'Brien Law Boston, backs his client up by saying things never should've escalated to the point they did, but also gives props to the D.A. for essentially backing off.