Molly Lawless sets out an ambitious goal in the preface to Hit By Pitch, namely including moments of levity and elements of comedy, tragedy, and mystery in her book. On its own, these goals are not absurd, as a good story should mirror our lives and include the highs and lows, the mirth and misery that we all experience as we move through our days. The ambition underlying Lawless’ goal is evident in the subtitle: Ray Chapman, Carl Mays and the Fatal Fastball.
Inarguably the greatest tragedy to occur on a baseball field, how can there be levity and comedy in the story of Ray Chapman and the only death to occur during a baseball game?