The kid who caught the ball

[crackpott]

Am I the only one who realizes this is more the fault of the umpires than of the kid?

Forget if the ball is in play. As a fan of your team, you should always do what you can to help your own team and hurt the other team. It's the same concept behind a foul ball in the first row of the stands. Home team hits it, knock the opposing players glove away. Visitors hit it, lean back and let your team catch it.

Similarly, with an opposing team's runner on first, interfere if you can on what would be a double. On a ground rule double due to your interfering, the player is stopped at third.

These are the outcomes of the rules. If fan interference caused something worse, then it would be logical not to do it. But this is just exploiting the rules to help your team, just like a team would exploit the rules in any way they could for an advantage. Maier just got lucky that they called it a homerun. But he shouldn't be penalized for it. Blame the umps...

Bartman on the other hand, was a Cubs fan screwing the Cubs, and people on this board seem to say "It wasn't his fault, blame Gonzalez!" ...I think people need to get their priorities as fans straight.

[Big Willis 16]

Originally Posted by crackpott

Am I the only one who realizes this is more the fault of the umpires than of the kid?

Forget if the ball is in play. As a fan of your team, you should always do what you can to help your own team and hurt the other team. It's the same concept behind a foul ball in the first row of the stands. Home team hits it, knock the opposing players glove away. Visitors hit it, lean back and let your team catch it.

Similarly, with an opposing team's runner on first, interfere if you can on what would be a double. On a ground rule double due to your interfering, the player is stopped at third.

These are the outcomes of the rules. If fan interference caused something worse, then it would be logical not to do it. But this is just exploiting the rules to help your team, just like a team would exploit the rules in any way they could for an advantage. Maier just got lucky that they called it a homerun. But he shouldn't be penalized for it. Blame the umps...

Bartman on the other hand, was a Cubs fan screwing the Cubs, and people on this board seem to say "It wasn't his fault, blame Gonzalez!" ...I think people need to get their priorities as fans straight.

"^infinity.

[drprestwood]

Originally Posted by magnet

You forgot the [obligatory] tags.

I don't use those. I am bigger than OT.

[molarmite]

This game was just on ESPN Classic so I watched it and it was obviously interference, the kid should go play for Baltimore and them a WS he cost them.

[1998 Yankees]

I suppose I could be labeled a sports purist, but fans should have no effect on the outcome of sports other than by showing up (or not), spending their money, and either cheering or booing within the bounds of civil behavior.

[Long_Long_Name]

Originally Posted by 1998 Yankees

I suppose I could be labeled a sports purist, but fans should have no effect on the outcome of sports other than by showing up (or not), spending their money, and either cheering or booing within the bounds of civil behavior.

That would necessitate keeping the fans away from the field at all costs - and forfeiting the closest seats to the field. I am not sure teams would go for that.

[The Wolf]

Originally Posted by 1998 Yankees

I suppose I could be labeled a sports purist, but fans should have no effect on the outcome of sports other than by showing up (or not), spending their money, and either cheering or booing within the bounds of civil behavior.

"

[1998 Yankees]

Originally Posted by Long_Long_Name

That would necessitate keeping the fans away from the field at all costs - and forfeiting the closest seats to the field. I am not sure teams would go for that.

Good point but I stick to mine, romantic that I am. What makes yours a good point is the money aspect, which continues to damage professional sports while making them possible in today's world.

Originally Posted by The Wolf

"

Thanks. LLN is right, but I wish it were otherwise. Unlike my kids, fans should be heard and not seen.

[Splitter24]

The kid signed up to play in my real-life baseball league. He's working in the Boston area now.

[Long_Long_Name]

Originally Posted by 1998 Yankees

Good point but I stick to mine, romantic that I am. What makes yours a good point is the money aspect, which continues to damage professional sports while making them possible in today's world.

I agree with you that no fan interference would be cool. I hardly see how a fan can have anything to do with the game in the NHL, for example. But, then again, I don,t think MLB will want to put glass boards and nets all the way around the field. I also believe the DH is a travesty and that players should wear protective gloves instead of baskets - but that's just not the way it is. Since I have little hope of imposing my views upon the world of baseball, I try to enjoy it as much as I can the way it is.

[YankeePride]

Originally Posted by Splitter24

The kid signed up to play in my real-life baseball league. He's working in the Boston area now.

Hmm, a banker.

Wondered what happened with all the baseball opportunities he had. Worked as an intern, scout, and instructor.

Guess it wasn't meant to be.

[1998 Yankees]

Originally Posted by Long_Long_Name

That would necessitate keeping the fans away from the field at all costs - and forfeiting the closest seats to the field. I am not sure teams would go for that.

Well, it seemed to work in this case (Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Buffalo Sabres, Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park NY, 1/1/08).

Look at all that wonderful empty space surrounding the rink. Nothing but snow!

[SittingDuck]

Originally Posted by bagsangels

if you see a ball coming your way of course your gonna try and grab it, its natural instinct

Man, if I saw what is in your avatar coming my way, my natural instincts would be to grab it (them).

[Left-handed Badger]

Originally Posted by Lucas718

Ten years later people are still talking about this kid who interfered with a ball in play as if he's some kind of hero. The guy who threw the beer on Gary Sheffield is more of a hero.

Dang, I agree with you, and I hate the Orioles.

Though, i should note that the Yankees sort of got their comeuppance on one play in the WS that year. When the ump in RF, ran a pick into 2B Andy Fox when the Yanks were going for foul ball. It was too far into the stands if I remember. Still.

[Left-handed Badger]

Originally Posted by magnet

Not to defend the kid or anything, but at 12, I probably would have grabbed it too.

Not at 21, but at 12.

Maybe, but my dad would have been grabbing me dragging me back to keep from interfering.

Still, at 12 I wouldnt. At 8 or 9 probably. At 8 or 9 I would have dropped it been a humiliation on all accounts.

[Left-handed Badger]

Originally Posted by crackpott

Am I the only one who realizes this is more the fault of the umpires than of the kid?

Forget if the ball is in play. As a fan of your team, you should always do what you can to help your own team and hurt the other team. It's the same concept behind a foul ball in the first row of the stands. Home team hits it, knock the opposing players glove away. Visitors hit it, lean back and let your team catch it.

Similarly, with an opposing team's runner on first, interfere if you can on what would be a double. On a ground rule double due to your interfering, the player is stopped at third.

These are the outcomes of the rules. If fan interference caused something worse, then it would be logical not to do it. But this is just exploiting the rules to help your team, just like a team would exploit the rules in any way they could for an advantage. Maier just got lucky that they called it a homerun. But he shouldn't be penalized for it. Blame the umps...

Bartman on the other hand, was a Cubs fan screwing the Cubs, and people on this board seem to say "It wasn't his fault, blame Gonzalez!" ...I think people need to get their priorities as fans straight.

Dont you know, Bartman was possessed by the spirit of the guy who owned that goat from that '45 Series? Geesh, I thought you were smarter than that.

[Left-handed Badger]

Originally Posted by 1998 Yankees

I suppose I could be labeled a sports purist, but fans should have no effect on the outcome of sports other than by showing up (or not), spending their money, and either cheering or booing within the bounds of civil behavior.

Seconded.

[1998 Yankees]

Originally Posted by Left-handed Badger

Seconded.

Thanks, Badger. But, I would like to point out that this thread was resurrected due only to the need of one of us to comment on, uh, the attention-grabbing avatar (reproduced below) of a member who has not been around in nearly two years.

I agree with the general tone of SittingDuck's comment on the matter, if not the specifics. I wonder if the moderators would mind either trying to contact bagsangels to get him to return and post more frequently, or would they hold a contest of some sort to allow one of us to adopt this fine avatar? Merely expropriating it must be against forum rules, I would imagine.