Super Short Summary

The Art of Fielding, a contemporary sports novel by Chad Harbach, explores what happens when one shortstop’s disastrous throw changes the lives of four people. Henry Skrimshander, a talented but anxious baseball player at Westish College, befriends his roommate Owen while struggling under the pressure of his own potential. Interwoven subplots involve relationships with the college president, Guert, and his daughter, Pella, leading to a series of emotional and life-altering events for all characters. Sensitive topics include a fatal suicide.