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A Chicago Cubs baseball fan went home disappointed after missing out on a $2,000 payday. His frustrations would be directly tied to the home plate umpire in a Sunday afternoon matchup vs. the Diamondbacks.
The season ticket holder was selected as a Moundball contest participant. He’d leave Wrigley Field empty handed.
Criticism of the umpire immediately surfaced on social media after the fact. It created an interesting debate surrounding his duty to perform.
What is Moundball?
The rules to the contest are simple. They are laid out on the team’s official website.
During every Chicago Cubs home game at Wrigley Field, one winner will have a chance to win One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) or more if the Homeplate umpire successfully throws a baseball onto the pitching mound and the baseball stays within the dirt of the mound. If the baseball does not stay on the mound, the prize money will be added to the winnings for the next Chicago Cubs home game.
Between the third and fourth innings, if an umpire throws a baseball that successfully lands on the pitching mound clay, one lucky fan will leave the game $1,000 richer.
If it rolls off, the money isn’t necessarily lost. The pot will grow for the next contestant. Money is rolled over into the prize total for the next opportunity.
There are a few stipulations for entry. Most notably, fans selected must be season ticket holders.
Those selected must then await their fates, which rest in the hands of the home plate blue.
On Sunday, the umpire’s effort was lacking. His toss came nowhere near the clay. It rolled to a stop well outside the mound. He was blasted for the attempt.
Absolutely inexcusable effort from the home plate umpire at today’s Cubs game during Moundball. They do this every game. If the ump lands the ball on the mound, a fan wins $1,000 cash. He couldn’t be bothered to try. Underhanded, barely looking, doesn’t even touch the mound. F- pic.twitter.com/s7ia9h6CXi
— Steven Cheah (@StevenCheah) May 3, 2026
Is criticism warranted?
Many quickly attacked the umpire for his poor performance on social media.
“Absolutely inexcusable effort… They do this every game… He couldn’t be bothered to try. Underhanded, barely looking, doesn’t even touch the mound. F-,” wrote Barstool personality Steven Cheah.
Others agreed.
“Weird. Usually, they love being the center of attention,” said one follower.
“This is actually insane behavior from an umpire who’s about to have his whole career overtaken by computers,” commented another. “They ask him to do one human thing to cater to the fans and he couldn’t be bothered to try.”
If the umpire knew about the promo and purposely missed to prevent the payout, then yes, it’s bush league. But if not, the anger is misdirected.
This is a fan sweepstakes put on by the team. There is nothing stating that the umpire has direct knowledge of the situation. There is no announcement to clue the blue in prior to the toss.
That can be a good thing. It helps build the pot. If everyone aimed for the mound each time out, it kind of sucks the fun out of the sweepstakes.
“Zero chance the umpire has any idea what this ‘mound ball’ nonsense is,” stated one fan playing devil’s advocate.
“Umps aren’t in on Moundball. That’s the whole point,” wrote another.
There is no way of knowing whether or not the umpire was in on the sweepstakes. He could’ve been aware. It happens at the same time every game.
His effort, however, suggests he had no idea the contest was underway. The toss was terrible.
He may be getting roasted due to no fault of his own. I personally don’t think he knew about the sweepstakes. My eyes tell me landing the ball on the mound never crossed his mind.
He was completely oblivious to the situation. It wasn’t his goal to prevent the payday.
Clearly, it’s up for debate. Let me know what you think!