The latest publication from the West Virginia University Press is a no-holds-barred examination of some of the most challenging and divisive issues in professional athletics.

The Inside Pitch . . . and More: Baseball ’_ _s Business and the Public Trust is authored by former WVU President Gene Budig, who also served as president of Major League Baseball’s American League from 1994-2000. The book goes on sale March 1.

Prior to his career in Major League Baseball, this distinguished professional educator and lifelong baseball fan headed three major state universities �€ WVU , Illinois State University and the University of Kansas. Most recently he has been a professor at Princeton University from 2000 to 2002, when he left to become a Scholar in Residence at The College Board in New York.

Budig has pledged royalties from sales of his book to the National Commission on Writing in America’s Schools and Colleges, an initiative of the College Board to place greater emphasis on writing in the classroom.

Budig says the idea for the book came from a course that he taught at Princeton calledThe Business of Sports and the Public Trust.He was inspired by his students’discussions with guest speakers �€Bud Selig, David Stern, Gary Bettman, Jerry Reinsdorf, Al Neuharth, Rod Thorn, Brian Cashman and other leading players in the business of sport.

Jerry Reinsdorf �€owner of the Chicago White Sox and the Chicago Bulls �€says,Dr. Budig was a key player during an important, historic period of time, and is uniquely qualified to offer observations on the game of baseball and its role in America.

These observations should appeal to baseball fans, as well as to anyone interested in sports management. The book will be available in bookstores or directly from the West Virginia University Press beginning March 1.

For more information, call the WVU Press toll free 1-866-WVU-PRESS (988-7737) or visit www.wvupress.com