The Infield Fly Rule is the most misunderstood rule in baseball and perhaps in all of sports. That also makes it the most infamous. Drawing on interviews with experts, legal arguments, and a study of every infield-fly play in eight Major League seasons, this book tells the complete story of the Rule. The author covers the Rule’s history from the 19th century to the modern game, its underlying logic and supporting arguments, recent criticisms and calls for repeal, the controversies and confusion it creates, and its effect on how the game is played.
Q. Why this book, and why now?
I have been fascinated by the Infield Fly Rule since I was a young baseball fan. And law professors have been fascinated by that Rule (and baseball rules generally) for decades. The rule has been the topic of more conversation among baseball fans, announcers, and reporters for the past few years, owing to one call from the 2012 post-season. I have been writing and speaking about this in various forums for the past several years. This seemed the best time to put these ideas together in a book.
Q. Who should read this book?
The book has two audiences. One is law professors and lawyers who love baseball in general and the Infield Fly Rule in particular. One is baseball fans, especially those who like to explore the game’s hidden esoterica.
Q. What is the most important takeaway you hope your readers gain from this book?
I hope readers gain a deeper understanding of the Infield Fly Rule and the rules of baseball and sports in general—the considerations and concerns that drive a game’s rulemakers to establish particular rules to govern particular situations
Q. How did you decide on the title and cover art?
“Infield fly rule is in effect” is the common phrase that baseball announcers use when the rule is invoked and the phrase I heard when I learned what the rule is. The publisher suggested describing the rule as both famous and infamous, and I liked that phrasing. It was obvious that the cover art should capture the situation in which the Rule has been invoked—an infielder looking up and preparing to catch a fly ball and the umpire signaling the rule with a raised arm.
Howard M. Wasserman joined the College of Law faculty in 2003. Professor Wasserman teaches civil procedure, evidence, federal courts, civil rights, and First Amendment; he writes about the freedom of speech, the role of procedure and jurisdiction in public-law and civil-rights litigation, and recently on baseball’s Infield Fly Rule.