Randy Johnson hits a bird in mid-air with a fastball. A Cubs fan reaches into the field to rob the left fielder of a sure out in the MLB playoffs. Part of the beauty of sport is that it creates an isolated world, an escape from reality, a place where things are fair, simple, straightforward, with a winner and a loser. But when the outside world effects the game, we  can be disappointed, frustrated, even angry that our fabricated battlefield has been tainted.

Worldwide, soccer is no stranger to these types of outside interferences. Most of the time toilet paper, fireworks, streamers, confetti and all sorts of distractions aren’t even removed from the field of play as they players run through them, play the ball over them or just avoid them. Some may say it looks trashy, but I find it as an adequate expression of the somewhat illogical passion people have for the game, which I find entertaining.

In England last week, beleaguered Liverpool suffered the consequences of one of their own errant beach balls that made its way to the field.  Sunderland’s striker put the ball on frame and it deflected off the beach ball and went in, for the game winner no less. There was no redo, no disallowed goal, all just part of the game and I loved every minute of it. Video of the goal found here.

This article was written in October & is part of the Archives , Sports & Outdoors , Will sections.