Reply #44: Bartman deflected the ball

[Oeditpus Rex]

so that Alou couldn't catch it.

AFAIK, the rules on this conflict a bit. Fans are entitled to any ball they can reach while remaining in the stands, unless it's in play. You can't, for example, lean down from an outfield seat and deflect a ball that would otherwise carom off the wall. (And, yes, I've seen fans do this.) A fielder is also entitled to any ball he can reach, but if he leaves the playing surface to make a catch — that is, actually goes into the seats or climbs onto the dugout, I think — the out is not allowed. (I've seen this, too. A minor-league outfielder actually climbed the fence and perched atop it to take away a home run. I don't remember if that one was allowed or not, though.)

The umpires in this case oddly ruled that, while Alou could've made the catch, Bartman did not interfere with him. (cough*bullshit*cough) What many baseball fans understand, rules or no rules, is you never, ever, ever even think of impeding your team's chances for a win. In my mind, Bartman selfishly reacted on instinct rather than thinking of the Cubs he supposedly loved. I also blame the fans around him for not pulling him back.