Dorothy Ann has brought a book about physics, but everyone else finds it boring. Ralphie borrows it from her to use it as a replacement for home plate, of which she does not learn until they set off on a field trip. Ms. Frizzle decides to back up and get the book, but the bus shrinks and lands on page 97 which has a "frictionless" baseball field. The class soon learns that friction is needed for the simplest actions, from playing baseball to walking. However, when it comes time to leave, the book closes-- and Ms. Frizzle and the class get trapped in it!