Here at The Experiment, we are strong believers in the value of intuitive design: abstraction is helpful to a point, but sometimes you just have to see something to understand it. That idea is perhaps embodied best in the in-depth, fully revised and updated, Baseball Field Guide.
Written by a pair of graphic designers-slash-New York baseball fanatics (one Yankees fan and one Mets fan), this illustrated book brings the tenants of intentional design and visual learning to one of the most seemingly-unnecessarily-complicated topics known to man: the complete rules of baseball. If you have ever tried to slog through the official rule book, you know that it is an absolute mess. With a a complex coding system that tracks the scars of a-hundred-plus years of updates, clarifications and changes, it practically takes a degree in the Rules of Baseball to understand some of the umpire’s more obscure calls. Thanks to co-authors Dan Formosa and Paul Hamburger, that is all about to change.
Clearly organized, it is sensible to read the book from cover to cover, but readers can also jump seamlessly to rules that deal with a particular aspect of the sport—so you don’t have to miss the next play trying to figure out the ump’s last call. The book is also packed with simple illustrations that easily communicate rules. Here’s an example illustration which spells out a double play:
This third edition features brand-new illustrations and organization, as well as the most up-to-date changes, such as the “Buster Posey rule”. The end result is a great companion for anyone who loves the sport: whether you are a seasoned guru in search of a quick reference guide for complex scenarios, or a rookie who just wants to learn the rules from the ground up, this carefully designed gem was thoroughly updated with your needs in mind.
Dan Formosa, PhD, spent his grammar school years in Hoboken, NJ, the site of baseball’s first recorded game. A consultant to a wide range of companies and organizations, he has received numerous design awards. He also helped create the Masters in Branding Program at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Dan travels the world frequently in his work. He spends the rest of his time in Piermont, NY, and in New York City.
Paul Hamburger, originally from New York City, is a recent transplant to sunny Los Angeles, where he works as a creative director. Growing up in the streets of Brooklyn, Paul was an accomplished player of stoopball. As a Mets fan, he is bitter and resentful toward the relative success of other local baseball organizations. He lives in the past, nostalgic for the glory days of the mid‑eighties.
