20190723

August 8th 6-9 pm


Meet Howard Wasserman and hear all about his new book.

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.

Howard M. Wasserman joined the faculty of FIU College of Law in 2003. Professor Wasserman teaches civil procedure, evidence, federal courts, civil rights, and First Amendment; he writes about civil rights litigation, sports rules, and the freedom of speech, including the speech rights of fans and athletes. He is the author of Infield Fly Rule Is in Effect: The History and Strategy of Baseball’s Most (In)Famous Rule ( McFarland Press 2018) and Understanding Civil Rights Litigation (Carolina Academic Press 2018). He has spoken at the NINE Baseball Conference, SABR Annual Meeting, and Cooperstown Symposium on Baseball and American Culture.

20190703