In a flash, the ball that came to symbolize the Chicago Cubs' cursed history was blown up Thursday night, reduced to a pile of thread by a Hollywood special effects expert.

Hundreds of fans sang ``Take Me Out to the Ball Game'' before the ball -- the foul fly touched by Steve Bartman in last October's playoffs -- was reduced to a pile of thread.

Bartman had not been expected to attend the event, held in a tent outside Harry Caray's Restaurant. Some fans were decked out in Cubs gear, others wore replicas of the famous broadcaster's signature glasses and one man was covered in ivy.

The stunt was designed by Oscar winner Michael Lantieri, who worked on ``Jurassic Park'' and ``Back to the Future.''

``We're using a combination of pressure, heat and explosives in this bulletproof tank to destroy that ball so it will not resemble a ball at all when we're finished,'' Lantieri said earlier.

Whether the ball was possessed by the curse that legend says afflicts the Cubs or not, fans were happy to see it go. To some, the destruction is a sign of the good things to come this season.

``I think it's very appropriate, it's symbolic of a new beginning,'' said Rachel Cannon of
Chicago.

Claudette Dockery agreed.

``The can cremate the ball for all I care or send it over Lake Michigan, the best I believe is yet to come,'' she said.

Cubs fans are ready to move on from the infamous moment.