Is it Steve Bartman's fault that the cubs didnt get into the WS?

Question

i dont think its ALL his fault, but i want to know what u think

Answer 1

Everyone seems to forget the botched double play ball by Cub SS Alex Gonzalez in that same inning that would've ended the Marlins' rally. I know you can't assume the double play but you know what...you also can't assume that Bartman's interference cost the Cubs the NLCS.

Answer 2

Some sources say the ball was coming into the stands, so under the rules, interference could not be called under the OBR Comment to Rule 3.16. Others indicate Bartman reached over the railing to try to catch the ball. It is hard to tell from pictures: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/54/Stevebartman.jpg/180px-Stevebartman.jpg

If it is over the playing field, the batter should be out. In any case, a Cub fan should not have been interfering with a Cub player making a defensive play because even if Alou had to reach into the stands, if he caught the ball, the batter would have been out. So in that respect it is Bartman's fault that he did not get that out, and that should not be minimized. Fans everywhere need to take a lesson from that.

But the fact that they did not get into the world series is all on Dusty Baker. He over-used his starting pitchers and they could not get the job done. I am glad they finally got rid of Baker, but they need to replace Larry Rothschild, the pitching coach, too. He is responsible for the pitching staff and they have a high incidence of over-use injuries. A better pitching coach could make a big difference in that respect.

Mark Prior was already into the 8th inning when the Bartman incident happened. He needed to be out of there immediately after the wild pitch to walk Castillo.

Then the Cubs blew another lead in the last game. SO Bartman was responsible for the CUbs not getting that one out, but not for them getting beat by the Marlins.

Here is the complete text of the baseball rule that applies:

OBR "3.16
When there is spectator interference with any thrown or batted ball, the ball shall be dead at the moment of interference and the umpire shall impose such penalties as in his opinion will nullify the act of interference.
APPROVED RULING: If spectator interference clearly prevents a fielder from catching a fly ball, the umpire shall declare the batter out.Rule 3.16 Comment: There is a difference between a ball which has been thrown or batted into the stands, touching a spectator thereby being out of play even though it rebounds onto the field and a spectator going onto the field or reaching over, under or through a barrier and touching a ball in play or touching or otherwise interfering with a player. In the latter case it is clearly intentional and shall be dealt with as intentional interference as in Rule 3.15. Batter and runners shall be placed where in the umpire’s judgment they would have been had the interference not occurred.
No interference shall be allowed when a fielder reaches over a fence, railing, rope or into a stand to catch a ball. He does so at his own risk. However, should a spectator reach out on the playing field side of such fence, railing or rope, and plainly prevent the fielder from catching the ball, then the batsman should be called out for the spectator’s interference. Example: Runner on third base, one out and a batter hits a fly ball deep to the outfield (fair or foul). Spectator clearly interferes with the outfielder attempting to catch the fly ball. Umpire calls the batter out for spectator interference. Ball is dead at the time of the call. Umpire decides that because of the distance the ball was hit, the runner on third base would have scored after the catch if the fielder had caught the ball which was interfered with, therefore, the runner is permitted to score. This might not be the case if such fly ball was interfered with a short distance from home plate."

Answer 3

Bartman is not at fault. It was part of a Divine plan that the Marlins would win in an improbable 8th inning in game 6 of the NLCS and win game 7. The Marlins had to be in the World Series to beat the Yankees.

Answer 4

First off, Alou reached into the stands, so that ball was fair game for players and fans. Secondly, as stated before, there was the botched double play ball. Third, there was still one more inning and one more game, I don't think Bartman was in uniform for that. But if the Cubs let the billy goat into the stadium, their luck might change. Do anything, it has been 99 years and counting. :)

Answer 5

Dusty Baker overused Prior in that game and the regular season. That is why he is oft-injured. The Cbs blew their chance to make it the World Series because of Bartman. Everything crumbled afterward. The umpires should have called fan interference on that play, and then AGon missed an inning ending double play. Wood did mediocre the next night, and the rest is history. Side-note: Before Zambrano was in his prime, he lost Game 5 of the NLCS against the Marlins.

Answer 6

Cubs fans are using Steve Bartman as an excuse for not going to the WS like I'm using you for points! No, I'm not moving to Florida like Steve did. I love Central Illinois.

Answer 7

The Cubs didn't go to the World Series that year because they choked. Bottom line.

Steve Bartman was only doing what any other baseball fan would have done in that situation. Such occurences have happened thousands of times, and will happen thousands of times more.

All Bartman was was a convenient scapegoat for a franchise that blames anything except itself for not winning. (Curses, billy goats, black cats, etc)

Answer 8

No. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Other fans around him were reaching up to grab the ball, but he get's the blame. Also, the Cubs made some costly erros in that inning including some bad pitches that led to a Marlins rally

Answer 9

Bartman didn't lose a entire series on one foul ball. I don't think ANY of was his fault.

Answer 10

No. Its the Cubs fault. They are using that, and an idiot curse as an excuse.