Giving New Meaning to "Handicap": The Americans with Disabilities Act and Its Uneasy Relationship with Professional Sports in PGA Tour, Inc. v. Martin

Spruill, William E.

Journal: University of Richmond Law Review

Volume: 35

First Page: 365

Year: 2001

Bluebook Citation: 35 U. RICH. L. REV. 365 (2001)

Author: William E. Spruill: all 3 publications


Abstract

Imagine that an all-star batter for the New York Yankees had a circulatory disease that made it difficult and painful for him to run. Would Major League Baseball be forced to permit a designated base runner to run for the disabled batter starting from home plate? Consider Jim Abbott, the successful major league pitcher who was born without a right arm. Under the Americans With Disabilities Act ("ADA"), could Abbott, who pitched well for many years in the American League, which has the designated hitter rule, force the National League, which does not, to exempt him from its batting requirement?

If so, does that mean that batting is not fundamental to the game of baseball, or that allowing Abbott a designated hitter is a reasonable modification to his disability?

Chat with this journal article using AI

Ask CiteLaw's AI Navigator anything about this journal article, verify citations, and research related authorities. Sign up for CiteLaw free today to get started.