Extra Innings · Beanballs & Bleachers
Mud in Center Field
Maddox v. City of New York (1985)
Charge: Negligence - pro outfielder's career-ending knee injury after slipping on a wet, muddy outfield (suit against the City that owned the stadium and others)Court: New York Court of AppealsDocket: Beanballs & Bleachers
Did a professional outfielder who knew the field was wet and muddy assume the risk of injuring himself while chasing a fly ball?
The facts
In 1975 a big-league center fielder was chasing a fly ball at a city-owned stadium. His foot slid on wet grass and stuck in a mud puddle, wrecking his knee and later ending his career. He had seen the poor field conditions before the game and had told groundskeepers about puddling. A game had already been called off for weather. He kept playing without asking to be taken out.
You have the facts the court had. Guilty or not guilty? Call it in the game with your friends, then see what the court actually decided. Wrong call, you drink.
Citation: Maddox v. City of New York, 66 N.Y.2d 270 (1985)
Read more at upi.com. The source reveals the outcome.