I disagree strongly. If he doesn’t break the rules and interfere...they never get the chance to be goats. Therefor, he bears the burden. Any lawyers out there want to take up the argument of proximate cause?
Ball in the stands is fair game. He really didn’t do anything wrong. And the next better I believe hit into what should have been an inning ending double play but a professional athlete in the field booted it. All forgotten because some poor sap in the stands tipped a foul ball in the stands.
You have obviously never either played baseball or sat on the first row.
There were at least 10 other people reaching for that ball — ALL thought it was within their grasp and would stay foul. SOME were actually protecting themselves. NONE were intentionally interferring with play.
I was sitting on a second row seat right next to the photo well on the first base side. There’s a popup foul that, off the bat, I was sure was coming to me or near me. I stupidly had not brought my glove to the game and so I’m starting to think of the best way to catch this IF it comes my way. I then realize 2 women were in front of me and had no idea what was happening so I then start thinking about making sure it doesn’t hit one of them. ALL of this is going through my mind as the ball drifts back toward the field and the first baseman makes an easy catch. Not once did I think about letting up so a catch could have been made. I actually think I took a step or tried to take a step toward the field when the ball drifted back. Instinct.
I played JuCo baseball. Not at a very high level but I’ve caught thousands of fly balls and see them off the bat as easily as most anyone. Bartman didn’t do anything wrong and his public crucifixion was a disgrace.