Product Description
"Rod Delmonico, one of the most innovative and thoroughly organized baseball coaches in the college universe, knows that miracles don't just happen on defense--you have to make them happen. He does this at Tennessee with a simple but highly practical drill program covering every facet of the defensive game. Coaches from Little League to Major League will find all the answers in this splendidly articulated practice manual." -- Herman Masin Editor-in-Chief, Scholastic CoachRod Delmonico, national Division I coach of the year, shares the drills and skills that he used to take the University of Tennessee baseball team to Southeastern Conference championships in 1994 and 1995, and the College World Series in 1995. Baseball Defensive Drills is divided into sections on pitching, catching, infield, and outfield drills, and concludes with a chapter on drills for the whole team. Drills are outlined in a step-by-step format and are highly illustrated with a wealth of photos and diagrams. Players and coaches interested in improving their defensive skills and training techniques will find this one of the best visual-aid books available. About the Author Rod Delmonico has been head coach at the University of Tennessee since 1989. Since that time, the Volunteers have won three Southeastern Conference Eastern Division titles and two overall titles as well as a trip to the 1995 College World Series, the school's first in 44 years. Along with being named coach of the year for 1995 by Baseball America magazine, Delmonico has been honored as SEC coach of the year (1994, 1995) and the American Baseball Coaches Association's Southern Region coach of the year (1995). He has written other baseball books including Defensive Baseball, Offensive Baseball Drills, and Hit and Run Baseball, and has had numerous articles published in various publications. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Excellent Intermediate-to-Advanced Fundamentals
Good book for those looking for drills that can move their average and excellent players from the most basic fundamentals to intermediate (middle-of-the-road) and advanced techniques of baseball.The book breaksdown every defensive position, chapter-by-chapter, giving extensivedefensive drills to improve play at those positions.It also devotes acouple of well-written chapters to overall team drills.

This book willhave more application for older and/or advanced players.Many of thesedrills should be used with some 8 year olds.On the other hand, some ofthe more advance drills will be too advanced for even 12-13 yearolds.

This book does not contain drills for the most basic defensivetechniques, such as the very beginning mechanics of throwing and catching. And even though these beginning mechanics are part of the mechanics taughtin this book for pitching, infielding, and outfielding, the reader willhave difficulty picking them up from this book.

This book does a goodjob of capturing the essense of these techniques, and for the money, is agood, quick-reference, resource to have on the shelf.However, the book islimited, due to the printed medium, it is ability to adequately convey themany subtleties of baseball fundamentals; so some readers may prefer tostudy these techniques from video tapes, or a more graphic medium.

Generally, I have been unable to find a comprehensive book that coversall aspects of the game:defense and offense, beginning through advanceddrills.So overall, this book has improved my library and has filled aneeded gap in understanding and coaching defensive baseball.

Need defensive help?
Some of my ballplayers (JV in high school) were having a very difficult time defensively. I started incorporating some of the drills from this book, a little at a time. Now, our team and individual defense has improveda great deal. This book breaks things down very well. It can help coachesat any level with their defensive strategies. ... Read more

Product Description
Solid defense begins before the first pitch is thrown. From player placement to situational awareness, the nuances of superior fielding are vast and varied. That's why the American Baseball Coaches Association's top defensive minds have compiled Gold Glove Baseball―to give you an all-encompassing resource to help turn your team into a stellar defensive unit.

The all-star lineup of coaches provide in-depth instruction, special insights, and practice drills on every aspect of defensive play. The book's scope ranges from fundamentals to advanced tactics for those who have mastered the basics. Coaches at all levels and serious players will find great tips and new techniques for executing specific fielding maneuvers and complex plays involving several players. A sample defensive signals system will explain how to coordinate the positioning and movements of all nine fielders on every pitch.

Winning baseball requires smart and steady defensive play every bit as much as solid hitting and strong pitching. In fact, many top baseball coaches say that the foundation of championship teams is defense because it makes pitchers' jobs easier and takes pressure off the offense. Gold Glove Baseball provides a complete plan for playing championship-caliber defense. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

fewer errors more wins
Great, I have the fundamentals to teach my kids the correct way to play any position in the field

A thoroughly 'user friendly' manual
Expertly edited and organized by Charlie Greene (now retired but formerly the baseball coach for Miami-Dade Community College with a career record of 1,047-548 and a member of the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame), "Gold Glove Baseball" is an illustrated instruction guide for aspiring ball players with an emphasis on position skills, team tactics, practice drills, and signals. In addition to Charlie Greene, the contributors include an all-star line up of college and university baseball coaches: Bob Bennet (1,302-759-4); Ed Flaherty (594-2550-3); Davey Johnson (hired as a consultant to the team general manager of the Washington nations in June 2006); Ken Knutson (461-295-2); Carroll Land (Director of Athletics at Point Loma Nazarene University); Mike Maack (Head Coach of the new Plano Blue Sox); Rich Maloney (Head Baseball Coach at the University of Michigan); Jim Penders (Head Baseball Coach for the University of Connecticut); Sam Piraro (the winningest baseball coach in the history of San Jose State University); Steve Smith (Head Coach of Baylor University's baseball program); Scott Stricklin (Head Baseball Coach at Kent State University); and Jerry Weinstein (831-208-12). A thoroughly 'user friendly' manual, "Gold Glove Baseball" will prove to be an invaluable reference for college and university athletic department reference collections. Also very highly recommended are two other titles from Human Kinetics: Vern & Gambet's "Athletic Development" (9780736051002, $19.95) and Curran's "Coaching Baseball Successfully" (9780736065207, $19.95). ... Read more

Product Description
"If Coach Delmonico is writing about baseball I want to read it. He knows the game, knows fundamentals, and best of all he's interesting." -- Joe GaragiolaHome runs may bring the loudest cheers but most baseball coaches agree that solid defense in the field inevitably wins more games than raw power at the plate. Author Rod Delmonico, head baseball coach at the University of Tennessee, drives that point home in this book. Making use of scores of photos and diagrams, Delmonico illustrates position-by-position as well as overall team defensive strategies in a concise, easy-to-understand format. Written with both players and coaches in mind, Defensive Baseball is one of the best visual-aid instructional baseball books available. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Excellent Reference Book
This book is an intermediate to advanced look at defensive baseball. The first 2/3 of the book covers defensive techniques position by position, while the last 1/3 of the book discusses team defense.

I would notrecommend this book to a baseball novice -- Delmonico assumes the readerhas a good grasp of the game. Also, he does not include drills to teach theskills discussed.

However, if you were ever curious about the six (that'sright six) different pivots a second baseman could use while turning adouble play, this is your book. Obviously, you wouldn't (and couldn't) geta little league second baseman to learn them all. But as a coach, thatsection is certainly a good reference. Read all the methods, and choose oneto teach.

I especially appreciate the diagrams of situations (who coverswhat base, who cuts the throw, etc.). Again, an excellent reference to makecertain you are coaching your team correctly.

I've been coaching 11 and12 year olds this year, and haven't put too much of the book into practice.However, I know if a question comes up, I have the answer on my bookshelf.And as a baseball fan, I just love reading about the fine points of thegame.

Excellent Intermediate-to-Advanced Fundamentals
Good book for those looking to move their average and excellent players from the most basic fundamentals to intermediate (middle-of-the-road) and advanced techniques of baseball.The book breaks down every defensiveposition, chapter-by-chapter, giving defensive tips and drills to improveplay at those positions.It also devotes a couple of well-written chaptersto overall team and situational defense.

This book will have moreapplication for older and/or advanced players.I believe that thesetechniques should begin to be taught to some 8 year olds.On the otherhand, some of the more advance techniques in the book will be too advancedfor even 12-13 year olds.

This book does not contain the most basicdefensive techniques, such as the very beginning mechanics of throwing andcatching.And even though these beginning mechanics are part of themechanics taught in this book for pitching, infielding, and outfielding,the reader will have difficulty picking them up from this book.

In someways, a book cannot adequately convey the many subtleties of baseballfundamentals; so some readers may prefer to study these techniques fromvideo tapes, or a more graphic medium.But this book does a good job ofcapturing the essense of these techniques, and for the money, is a good,quick-reference, resource to have on the shelf.

Generally, I have beenunable to find a comprehensive book that covers all aspects of the game: defense and offense, beginning through advanced skills.So overall, thisbook has improved my library and has filled a needed gap in understandingand coaching defensive baseball.

Great book, especially for coaches
I'm not a coach, and I haven't comletely read the book, but I've browsed through it in stores before.There's a lot of information and diagrams about situational plays.For example, one page will say "1st and 2nd,ball hit to right field on the ground" or something like that.Thenit will show where each player should go (cutoff position, base, etc.) There is also information about each individual position (about a fewpages).I'd recommend it for players and coaches. ... Read more

Product Description
Discover baseball's role in American society!

Baseball and American Culture: Across the Diamond is a thoughtful look at baseball's impact on American society through the eyes of the game's foremost scholars, historians, and commentators. Edited by Dr. Edward J. Rielly, author of Baseball: An Encyclopedia of Popular Culture, the book examines how baseball and society intersect and interact, and how the quintessential American game reflects and affects American culture. Enlightening and entertaining, Baseball and American Culture presents a multidisciplinary perspective on baseball's involvement in virtually every important social development in the United States—past and present.

Baseball and American Culture examines baseball’s unique role as a sociological touchstone, presenting scholarly essays that explore the game as a microcosm for American society—good and bad. Topics include the struggle for racial equality, women’s role in society, immigration, management-labor conflicts, advertising, patriotism, religion, the limitations of baseball as a metaphor, and suicide. Contributing authors include Larry Moffi, author of This Side of Cooperstown: An Oral History of Major League Baseball in the 1950s and Crossing the Line: Black Major Leaguers, 1947-1959, and a host of presenters to the 2001 Cooperstown Symposium on Baseball and American Culture, including Thomas Altherr, George Grella, Dave Ogden, Roberta Newman, Brian Carroll, Richard Puerzer, and the editor himself.

Baseball and American Culture features 23 essays on this fascinating subject, including:
“On Fenway, Faith, and Fandom: A Red Sox Fan Reflects”
“Baseball and Blacks: A Loss of Affinity, A Loss of Community”
“The Hall of Fame and the American Mythology”
“Writing Their Way Home: American Writers and Baseball”
“God and the Diamond: The Born-Again Baseball Autobiography”

Baseball and American Culture: Across the Diamond is an essential read for baseball fans and historians, academics involved in sports literature and popular culture, and students of American society. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (7)

Should be required reading
I find it a little painful to admit, but my favorite youth baseball coaching book is written by a woman! Although I am not sure I learned anything new (denial?), I found confirmation on many things that I have found to be true over the years and believe all youth coaches will benefit from a yearly reading of this fine book.

Easy to Follow Format with Great Drills
I bought this book after the youth baseball season started as a way to help my son improve his skills. I wish I would've bought it sooner. However, I will continue using these drills to help him improve his game before next season starts. The drills are formatted in a way that anyone can understand and follow.It is obviously that the authors know the sport and know children well.I highly recommend this book.

Finest How To Baseball book for Beginners ever written
From Basic Fundamentals to building useable skills, this book outlines in a simple constructive fashion"how to make youngsters better ballplayers".The drill sections provide practice methods to teach budding little leaguers the foundations for future success.

There have been many books that have attempted to simplify teaching this wonderful game, but this book is the first one that actually accomplishes the task, and puts it in a repeatable, useable format.

Thank you for making my job as a coach and instructor easier!

Step by Step
This is a great book for a complete step by step approach to coaching baseball! Very useful for coaches and parents!!

great for new coaches; maybe even better for experienced coaches
There certainly is a need for GOOD how-to youth coaching books, and this is one of them. The book is well written and organized with an easy-to-follow format and lots of photos and diagrams. A new coach can't go wrong in following the user-friendly book to cover all the basics of baseball.

But perhaps more important is the emphasis on YOUTH and dealing with kids, a skill that does not come automatically to everyone involved with youth sports. In other words, the book helps to shape a coach's attitude as much as how to improve skills in young players. Ideally, the coach learns and grows throughout the season as well as the kids.

It seems to me that this book is equally valuable to experienced coaches, in helping them to get the most out of all their players, not just the most talented.Many coaches come to youth sports as successful athletes themselves, and sometimes do not recognize what it takes to bring along kids who may be having difficulties. If the point is to keep more players playing, improving, and having a good time, here's a way to strengthen a team as well as individual players.

A great investment toward a good season. ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
A state-of-the-art guide to baseball fundamentals from one of America's foremost collge coaches. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

THE Baseball Guide
As a long time student and coach of this great game, I could not at this time more highly recommend any how-to guide than this one. Although nearly every baseball "expert" could debate some of the fine points ofthe game brought out by Coach Kindall, no one could argue the value of thisbook for any age group.

Best of all the instructional Baseball books that I've read!
I have read about 5 or 6 Baseball instructional books and I felt this was the most understandable, complete book out there.It covers every aspect of the game and includes great pictures, so that they not only tell you howto do something but show you as well.It covers Hitting, Pitching,Baserunning, Fielding, throwing, Individual positions, and strategies. Itis the book that I mention first to my fellow coach's. ... Read more

Product Description
"Play Ball!" These words resonate with special meaning inthe minds of anyone who has ever enjoyed a game of baseball. Every fanwill be amused and touched by stories of sportsmanship and victorygathered from the clay diamonds of America.

A tribute to America's favorite past time, Chicken Soup for theBaseball Fan's Soul is written by people at every level ofcompetition, from World Series champions to tee-ball moms. Theirinspiring stories highlight the best of baseball, the importance ofsportsmanship and a love of the game. Whether these stories take placeon the field of a local YMCA or under the bright lights of a majorleague ballpark, the focus is the same: The Love of the Game. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Chicken Soup fills soul
The outside covers were a little bent, but the book itself was in good shape.Excellent stories to warm a baseball fan's heart.

Chicken soup is good for the soul
If you love baseball and appreciate it's personality and if you love kid's baseball, playing catch with your kid and like to cry - this is your book. Just a great read.

Wrong Year
I love this book, but someone ought to tell Bill Goldberg (The Whistle Story)that the Bucky Dent playoff game was 1978 not 1977. What true NYY fan - from the Bronx, no less - not only doesn't know that, but let's it get to print??????????? Pretty shameful if you ask me.

very inspiring
this book was very inspiring. The stories are all well written and ammussing. I haven't read any of the other books in the series and I don't plan on reading them either but I really enjoyed this one though and I recomend this book to all baseball fans

A great read!
As a baseball fan, I thought it was wonderful to read about the many sides of baseball.There are stories from both fans and people actually involved in the baseball world.With baseball having such a depressing last couple of years, and not having the results as we have come to expect, it was wonderful to know that there are people in the world that still love this sport!I am one of them. :o)
(I would have said still the American sport, but since I am Canadian I don't think that always applies...) ... Read more

Product Description

Want to improve the mechanics of your pitching staff? Can your pitchers hold runners and field their position? Do you know the finer points of developing pitcher-catcher chemistry? Coaching Pitchers offers complete details on every aspect of the pitching position. This practical guide on pitching will be a valuable reference you'll turn to again and again.

Challenging technical instruction is communicated effectively through plain talk combined with clear illustrations. Practice drills and training aids provide supportive tools to get the job done. From mental attitude to managing a bullpen, Coaching Pitchers is packed with insights you need to help your pitchers shut down even the most formidable opponents.

Coaching Pitchers offers solid, proven advice from one of the college game's best pitching coaches. Currently the head baseball coach at James Madison University, Spanky McFarland has coached 55 players on their way to the big leagues (including Kevin Brown of the Los Angeles Dodgers). Now McFarland delivers in book form the same instruction that took these players to the top.

Customer Reviews (7)

Coaching Pitchers 3rd Edition
Great book with easy illustrations. My son who is 12 says its easy to read & understand. There is great advice for parents to help you teach the techniques in the book. I would recommend this book for any coach, parent or player looking to improve technique.

Include this in your pitching library
McFarland has created a single source reference for aspiring pitchers. Much of what is in the book is part and parcel of years of baseball acumen. There is game situation, training, defensive, and mechanical advice in this book. At the very end there is motivational tips for getting the most from your pitchers. This book would have benefited from clear pictures of the motions of the pitchers and of the throwing motions on the various pitches. The drawings are vague enough to invite too many interpretations and the complex motion of pitching is difficult to describe verbally. I do not agree with the prior reviewer that House has totally eclipsed the valuable information found here.

I especially valued the advice about pitch selection based on a hitter's weaknesses. McFarland describes more than 20 batting habits that can be exploited by the pitcher. Additionally he diagrams where the pitcher should locate defensively on throws from the outfield or after pick off throws. All very helpful for the young pitcher.

Fundamentaly sound pitching instruction!
Coaching Pitchers is well written, easy to read and understand, and provides a wealth of how to teach your pitchers the proper fundamentals of pitching.This book is well worth the price and needs to be read by EVERYyouth coach.The techniques, drills and suggestions are well documentedwith illustrations and diagrams.If you only buy one book this year, getthis one!

Very Helpful
Nicely layed out and a great guide for developing young pitchers from 8 year-olds through high school.

As good a book on pitching as there is
This is as good an introduction to the art of pitching as there is.Simple but not simplistic with excellent illustrations.I recommend it highly. ... Read more

Product Description

Want to improve the mechanics of your pitching staff? Can your pitchers hold runners and field their position? Do you know the finer points of developing pitcher-catcher chemistry? Coaching Pitchers offers complete details on every aspect of the pitching position. This practical guide on pitching will be a valuable reference you'll turn to again and again.

Challenging technical instruction is communicated effectively through plain talk combined with clear illustrations. Practice drills and training aids provide supportive tools to get the job done. From mental attitude to managing a bullpen, Coaching Pitchers is packed with insights you need to help your pitchers shut down even the most formidable opponents.

Coaching Pitchers offers solid, proven advice from one of the college game's best pitching coaches. Currently the head baseball coach at James Madison University, Spanky McFarland has coached 55 players on their way to the big leagues (including Kevin Brown of the Los Angeles Dodgers). Now McFarland delivers in book form the same instruction that took these players to the top.

Customer Reviews (7)

Coaching Pitchers 3rd Edition
Great book with easy illustrations. My son who is 12 says its easy to read & understand. There is great advice for parents to help you teach the techniques in the book. I would recommend this book for any coach, parent or player looking to improve technique.

Include this in your pitching library
McFarland has created a single source reference for aspiring pitchers. Much of what is in the book is part and parcel of years of baseball acumen. There is game situation, training, defensive, and mechanical advice in this book. At the very end there is motivational tips for getting the most from your pitchers. This book would have benefited from clear pictures of the motions of the pitchers and of the throwing motions on the various pitches. The drawings are vague enough to invite too many interpretations and the complex motion of pitching is difficult to describe verbally. I do not agree with the prior reviewer that House has totally eclipsed the valuable information found here.

I especially valued the advice about pitch selection based on a hitter's weaknesses. McFarland describes more than 20 batting habits that can be exploited by the pitcher. Additionally he diagrams where the pitcher should locate defensively on throws from the outfield or after pick off throws. All very helpful for the young pitcher.

Fundamentaly sound pitching instruction!
Coaching Pitchers is well written, easy to read and understand, and provides a wealth of how to teach your pitchers the proper fundamentals of pitching.This book is well worth the price and needs to be read by EVERYyouth coach.The techniques, drills and suggestions are well documentedwith illustrations and diagrams.If you only buy one book this year, getthis one!

Very Helpful
Nicely layed out and a great guide for developing young pitchers from 8 year-olds through high school.

As good a book on pitching as there is
This is as good an introduction to the art of pitching as there is.Simple but not simplistic with excellent illustrations.I recommend it highly. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Must read for all baseball fans
This is quite simply the best baseball book I've ever read. I've been watching baseball my whole life but Koppett gives whole new insights into the game. A long review isn't necesary...I'll just say that if you're a serious baseball fan or someone just getting into the game, you absolutely must read this book.

The Thinking Fan's Guide to Baseball
As a lifelong baseball fan, I had thought I knew everything there was to know about the game of baseball...until I found this book by chance in a bookstore some years ago.

Leonard Koppett's book is perhaps the mostinsightful book I've ever read regarding the National Pastime.This bookrepresents an exhaustive research of virtually every aspect of our belovedgame, giving the reader glimpses into everything that comprises the game ofbaseball, including, not only the fundamentals of the game, but otherfacets such as scouting, contract negotiation and a brief history of therules of the game.

If you're looking for a frame of reference, I wouldcompare this book to 'Men At Work,' by George Will.However, I find myselfreferring back to Koppett's book much more frequently than I do Will'sbook.Whereas Will describes the 'what' of the game, Koppett describes the'why' of the game.

This book should be read by everyone who considershim/herself to be a fan of baseball.Fans new to the game will appreciatethe insight.Veteran fans will be given some new bits to ponder. ... Read more

Product Description
Blending scientific fact and sports trivia, Robert Adair examines what a baseball or player in motion does-and why. How fast can a batted ball go? What effect do stitch patterns have on wind resistance? How far does a curve ball break? Who reaches first base faster after a bunt, a right- or left-handed batter? The answers are often surprising -- and always illuminating.

Customer Reviews (37)

Simple explanations, correct physics but too little math
This book is easy to read, jogs from one interesting facet of the game to another with ease.Sugests simple physics underlying each phenomenon but lacks enough math for a begining reader to repeat most examples for a middle school science project.

A valiant effort at a difficult test
Beginning with the baseball itself, Adair delves into the design of the ball from its raised stitches to the bound cowhide cover and even to the rubber core. Using the ball's design as a basis, he goes on to discuss how the flight of that ball can be affected by wind, temperature, and altitude. Throughout the next few chapters, he focuses specifically on the flight of the ball as it leaves the pitcher's hand and how pitchers have found waves to manipulate that flight in their advantage. Pitchers, he says, face the task of maximizing velocity when needed but changing speed and directions in order to keep the batter guessing. Luckily for baseball fans (at least those that appreciate a well-pitched game) pitchers understand principles of physics better than they think. Additionally, a batted ball's flight, even detailing the theoretical maximum flight distance of the ball (545 feet, by the way), is described.
It is not only the pitchers and batters who need an understanding of physics to be successful in baseball, according to Adair. In fact, anyone who needs to judge the flight of a ball in order to catch it better know that the batter's choice of bat and where the batter contacted the pitched ball will affect the direction and magnitude of his--the fielder's--pursuit. Anyone who needs to run at maximum speed from base to base certainly should be aware that they won't be as fast as, say, Carl Lewis, since their start time is hindered by the efforts of the pitcher to "keep him honest." Even a player who needs to throw the ball from one part of the field to another must consider that his distance from the location of the desired landing point of the ball along with the weather conditions on that particular day will affect the velocity and trajectory with which he releases the ball. So, essentially, as Adair describes in the book, every player on a baseball team utilizes principles of physics to be successful, whether he--the player--likes it or not.
My desire for the book as I, a baseball fan, initially picked it up was to better understand baseball. Why does a curveball curve? Do balls really go farther in Denver? Why does a "corked" bat give a batter an advantage? Why are players now using lighter bats than the sluggers of the old days did? After reading the book, I better understand the answers to these questions. Yet, while Adair essentially answered my questions, it was somewhat difficult to get to those conclusions. Though he himself states that the book is intended for those interested in baseball, not physics, I was often lost in his description of the physics. It was not as simple as I had hoped. Now, that is certainly no fault of Adair. It is not that his descriptions were more difficult than needed but rather that baseball is not a simple game to describe fully. The book exemplified that fact beautifully. So, perhaps a physicist did not invent the game. Despite that fact, it is nevertheless a complex game that simple people can watch, play, and enjoy.

Will help you appreciate the talent of MLB Players
I have always loved baseball and was interested to see how The Physics of Baseball; 3rd Edition, by Robert K. Adair, PhD., would supplement my appreciation for the game.There were definitely both pros and cons to the book.Overall, I would give the book a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

The largest plus was how the author broke down every aspect of the game and helped the reader appreciate the overlooked details of baseball.The author analyzed how physics affected hitting, pitching, and fielding, and no intricate details were left out.For example, Adair reveals that a batter has 75 milliseconds to look at a ball that has left a pitcher's hand, 50ms to think about the pitch (evaluating the spin, velocity, etc.), and 175ms to take action and swing the bat (making any necessary swing adjustments during this final time period).

Adair further breaks down, using detailed physics equations, the logistics behind other elements of the game.For instance, the author explains how pitchers get the ability to make such nasty pitches, by explaining release points, spin from grip positions, etc.Also, batted balls are treated as projectiles in motion as Adair explains how baseballs get the trajectory from wooden bats to either fly 400+ yards over the fence, or fly into the awaiting glove of an outfielder who has properly judged its flight time and position.

While such insights give a baseball fan great appreciation for the skill and talent of baseball players, the book lacked a few essentials for this baseball fan.Adair uses plenty of comparisons to baseball players, but many of the examples given seemed a little out of date.Though the book was published in 2002, no references were made to current stars of that time, such as Derek Jeter or Randy Johnson.The player references were a bit out of date.

Also, the book was a little too heavy on little unrelated details, and did not in some cases relate the countless facts and calculations back into how they relate back to baseball.Finally, it would have been interesting to hear about how steroids - due to their recent connection with baseball - would affect some of the physics that Adair explains in his book.Overall, a good read but is most appreciated by those who have a good background in both baseball and physics.

Very useful and interesting book!
This book is great at explaining why things happen the way they do. I am actually using it as a reference for a study on the physics of softball.

Interesting and also helps me Play!!!
Robert Adair did a fantastic job writing The Physics of Baseball. I just read this book and loved it. I play baseball at Milton High School and this book not only helped me better understand the game of baseball but will also help me excel in the sport.The physical evidence resulting from the tests performed and the various charts and graphs made all of the information easy to understand.Coaches always say that "the little things" win and lose ballgames.In the novel, "the little things", such as laying bunts down and many more are covered and can help teams win games.I recommend this book to all players of the sport and definitely to all coaches of teams.It may change the style of coaching but for the better by making the coach pay more attention to small things and winning games.I also recommend this book to any people that do not play or coach anymore or have kids or grandkids playing anymore.The information is can be helpful but can also be interesting to the average person. This book is great for anyone that just loves the game of baseball or any physics geek that is curious how things work in America's past time. I hope that Robert Adair will continue this "Series" and write a couple more books regarding the great sport of baseball.I would also like to see other authors write similar novels about different sports, such as basketball and football. This book was a GREAT BUY!!!!!!!!!!!! ... Read more

Product Description
With Sandy's bad record, no one wants to play ball with him, and he is eventually thrown off the team, until one man decides to step in and help him change his ways so that Sandy can get back to game he loves so dearly. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

I like sports a lot and it taught me some skills.
This book was cool because it shows you what happens when your a bully.Like, Sandy and the other kids made a fire in that little place.The end was neat because he caught a ball that almost was a homerun. ... Read more

Product Description
A unique--if controversial--look at major league baseball as umpires see it. 11 illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Interesting Story, But is it Real?
I recommend with reservations.This book presents the story of umpires warts an all (including NC-17 language), however as other reviews suggest, the author may have pushed the ethical boundries to obtain his information.

If you are an umpire fan you will enjoy this book, but be sure to take it with a grain of salt.

Part Hit Piece, Part Chronicle
If you are an umpire, regardless of level, you will find portions of this book interesting.The author's literary style is wordy (the book could be half as long without losing any substance) but his overuse of adjectives is easily ignored by the reader.It is a fast read and a book you can put down and pick back up at will.Despite some obvious errors ("One hundred and fifty miles south of San Diego, in Bakersfield, California,"), the author introduces you to the people part of umpires about whom you had, largely, only known their names.What could have been an intimate book about umpires and their unique view of baseball is, instead, an uneven account of the 1974 National League season for one crew of umpires.Part hit piece, part historical chronicle of members of our society rarely written about, the book will hold your interest if you both love baseball and are an umpire.Absent being both and you may not see it to the end.

Mediocre
For this genre, the book is mediocre. If anything, I would say that the writing style is wrong. It may be "creative writing" but it reads more like a novel than non-fiction. Now, non-fiction does not mean it has to be boring! Certainly, some of the stories are interesting, but it often became a chore to read. Not a bad book, but certainly not the best it could be.

A major disappointment
The first thing you should know about this book is it's based on the 1975 season, which means that none of the umpires or players mentioned are contemporary.

Beyond that, this is poorly done and unethically done atthat. Late in the book, the author admits that he pretended to be sleepingin order to eavesdrop on the conversation between two umpires in a hotelroom. He says he threw away drinks and pretended to be drunk so they'd talkopenly in front of him.

If the ethics don't bother you, consider this:how accurate are the conversations he quotes, considering he had no taperecorder and reconstructed them after the fact? Could you relateword-for-word a conversation you had with a co-worker thismorning?

Baseball umpires could be the subject for a great book. Thisisn't it.

A brutally honest, yet very engrossing read.
Very few people know what the rigours and stresses of a pro sport official are as well as the personal setbacks and of course the professional flaws. This book has all of the above, excellently written and clearly shows whatbeing a major sports league's messenger (since umpires just enforce therules) is really like.Just as now, the dealings with overpaid, spoiledplayers, coaches and managers are well described.One of the best booksI've ever read. ... Read more

Product Description
This is the teaching guide that combines a parent/coach'snative common sense with the God given talents their children alreadypossess.It is far and away the nation's best seller in it's niche,and is endorsed by virtually everyone. (Except Little League BaseballInc. who want to promote their own book).That hasn't deterredhundreds of local Little League organizations from choosing it fortheir managers' primary coaching and teaching guide. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

mom of player
Not what I was looking for.A little to dry.I liked some of the other books I bought better.

Must Read for Parents (and Coaches)
As other reviewers pointed out, this is a MUST READ for parents (and coaches).

Coaching is not only about patience, and repetition, it is also about teaching the kids CORRECTLY. Baseball is confusing, and it is absolute chaos if taught wrong.

Never played the game before, and with my son 2nd year playing the game, I always struggle to understand why the coach makes certain recommendations. After reading the book, I know the reason from the coach, and HOW I CAN TEACH MY SON CORRECTLY.

Do a huge favor to your son, yourself and your team, get the book, read it. And read it with your boy.

Teach your children baseball.
I think it is a nice book.Pricey for the content and paperback quality.

Just what I needed
My wife bought this book several years ago at a homeschooling convention.My sons have not had an interest in baseball until recently. I blew thedust off the book, read it cover to cover, then "coached" two ofmy sons, ages 9 and 12. With just a few practices, they have gone fromknowing zippo to looking like they have played for years. I refer to thebook frequently for techniques and drills.

I am giving copies of it as agift to the coaches of their baseball league.

A Must Read for New Coaches and Old
I bought "Bean's About Baseball" because I had heard it mentioned on an infosports.net discussion board.

I have coached highschool, Little League, and adult baseball so I beleive that I know something about the game but I also know there is always something tolearn. I read the book hoping to learn something I did not know and withthe thought that I would get another coach's perspective on the game.

Ifone reads this book, it must be done the first time from cover to cover. Ifyou "skim" the book, you may very well come away thinking it isterse and sexist. However, early on the author explains why the book waswritten in this way and those aspects drft into the background.

The bookis full of tips and drills while it helps identify and explain commonmistakes made by young players. From my perspective in having someknowledge of the game, the book was a great review. I even took away somenew thoughts and ideas for my practices and certain players. That is thewonderful thing about this game, like Earl Weaver used to say: "It'swhat you learn after you know it all that really counts".

Bean'sAbout Baseball covers only the basics. Basics that managers and playershave to go back and reveiw through their entire "careers". If youare expereinced, the book will be valuable as a review and you may learn alittle something new. Another coach's perspective can often be valuable.

If you are a new coach, this book is an excellent starting point. Takean evening to read the book (about 120 pages) and go back to it as you needit. After you read it, you will know the basics of hitting, pitching, andfielding. When you know the "how to" basics, you have to conveythat to your players and this book helps there also. Good coaches know thegame and can teach it. This book will get you closer to being a good coach.

I have given my copy to one of the first year managers in my league thatsought me out to ask about practices and drills for young players. I do notexpect to see that copy again. Like many books on youth baseball, readersof this book will need to make value judgements on certain aspects as theyrelate to the local league rules and philosophies.

I will be recomendingto our local board of directors that this book be given to each manager aspart of their packet for next spring. I will further recommend that acompanion sheet accompany the book to elimnate conflicts between it and ourlocal rules and philosophies.

Like many lagues, ours has many wellmeaning coaching volunteers that do not really know youth baseball and howto teach it to kids. If my proposal is adopted, "Bean's AboutBaseball" will be a primer to next year's coaching clinic.

I wouldstrongly recommend it for new coaches and old.

Just my thoughts, Splitter ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Play Ball!!!
I feel cheated!!! I was born too late to have been an eye-witness to these remarkable women in baseball! Along with the Cooperstown recognition as well as the movie, "A League of Their Own", it is just not right that these wonderful athletes have not been given even more credit for proving to so many fans, men and women alike, that there is just cause for having a Professional Women's Baseball League today. Susan E. Johnson gives the reader the heartwarming stories of day-to-day life in the AAGPBL. She brings to life the individual women who played their hearts out whether for one season or many providing a glimpse of what it was really like to live the life of a Rockford Peach or Fort Wayne Daisie or one of dozens of other teams. Readers will end the book envious of the lives led by these remarkable women and ask why there isn't a similar league today (though a few major adjustments might be in order regarding the uniform and social rules and regulations). God Bless each and every one of these women for their contribution to the All American Girls Professional Baseball League and to Susan E. Johnson for taking the time and effort to share her stories with those of us who didn't know there really was a league of women athletes who could run circles around many of their male counterparts in baseball! Johnson provides statistics not only for individual players but for the teams in general and doesn't hesitate to compare such detail against the men's teams. There are quite a few instances when these women athletes exceed their male counterparts - a remarkable achievement in many ways but sadly not known to the general public. The reader instinctively knows the author relishes sharing the details behind the history of the AAGPBL, the managers, the fans, the women themselves as it is learned early on in the book that she was a young fan of these ball players (Rockford Peaches) and seldom missed a home game. Her enthusiasm is easily transferred to the reader. The league eventually ended in 1954 but the spirit remains alive through the continued efforts of former players and their families and fans. For anyone that enjoys the sport of baseball, that enjoys particularly the sport of Women's baseball, or for anyone really curious about the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League and the real women behind the league, you'll love this book and find yourself thirsting for more!

Great AAGPBL book
Susan Johnson leaves nothing out in her account of the 1950 playoffs series between the Rockford Peaches and Ft. Wayne Daisies. Well written with the lively enthusiam that could only be brought to the pages by an actual fan of the teams written about, Johnson's book not only gives a solid history of the entire league, but also gives a highly detailed account of particular players and games during one season. A must have book for AAGPBL enthusiasts.

Probably the Best of AAGBPL Books
While Lois Browne's "The Girls Of Summer" is perhaps the most complete history of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, this book is the most personal account due to Ms. Johnson's own fandom of the early 1950's.It's an extremely well-done book interpolating Ms. Johnson's text with interviews of former AAGBPL players and contemporary newspaper game accounts of the 1950 league championship series.While Browne's book (and others) are a little more academic in their approach to the subject, this is the one that really gives readers the best "feel" for what it was like for women to play baseball 50-60 years ago.Parents considering buying this for their children should note that there is a little more emphasis on player sexuality in this book than the others, but that detracts little from the overall effort.I've read four or five books on the AAGPBL, and would consider this the best of them (with Browne's book a solid second).

Wonderful Read About Women Who Played Baseball
I just read this book, and was surprised by how moved I was by the story of the history of women's baseball! The interviews with the former players were both humorous and touching, and framed an outstanding portrait of a unique, and practically forgotten, era. I hope a lot of young women read this book, as it is quite an inspiration. ... Read more

Product Description
Stubble scruffed up their chins. Tobacco wads ballooned their cheeks. The 1993 Philadelphia Phillies had the look of a slow-pitch softball team itching to kick some serious butt. They did kick butt, too, on and off the field. "They lived the life of professional baseball players as fully as it can be done," manager Jim Fregosi said. Though they weren´t a photogenic bunch, their mugs were everywhere, on "Baseball Today," on David Letterman, and on "Saturday Night Live." Even President Clinton quipped about them.

The updated softcover edition of Robert Gordon´s and Tom Burgoyne´s More than Beards, Bellies and Biceps: The Story of the 1993 Phillies (And the Phillie Phanatic Too) tells the complete story of this gang of baseball throwbacks that quickly seduced the hometown fans. By season´s end they had won over the rest of the country, too. America´s Most Wanted Team became America´s Team in a heart-thumping World Series against Toronto.

The ´93 Phils drew more spectators than any other Philadelphia franchise in the city´s century-and-a-quarter of professional sports. More than Beards, Bellies and Biceps offers the story of a team that burned the candle at both ends and lit up a city like a firecracker. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A Great Book About A Great Team
I absolutely loved this book.The author brought me back to a time when the Phillies were on top of the world and had the Philadelphia area and soon, the whole country, rallying around them.They called themselved 'gypsies, tramps and thieves' and even though they were, to a certain extent, they were also great ballplayers who cared about winning and each other.I love sports books and what I especially love about this book is all the behind the scenes stories off all the athletes.They were a bunch of jokesters and the pranks and the one-liners they pulled on each other were hilarious.But they knew when to put the jokes aside and just go out and play ball.I also loved the sidebars from the Phillie Phanatic.It was good and inciteful to see the game from his viewpoint as well.

What this book showed me is that all the talent in the world is not totally necessary to having a winning team.You just need a bunch of guys who think they can win and have fun with each other and have complete trust in each other to breed success.That is what that team had and what the book truly showed.

Great memories
This book brought back some great memories of an unforgettable team, the 1993 Philadelphia Phillies, told by the author and many members of the organization as well. It also gives good information about the years preceding the magical '93 season, with Lee Thomas taking over as general manager in 1988, then acquiring players like Lenny Dykstra, John Kruk, and Terry Mulholland in 1989. It also captures the public outcry during the winter between the 1992 and 1993 seasons, when the Phils negotiated with several high-priced free agents such as David Cone and Kirby Puckett, but ended up with retreads such as Danny Jackson and Pete Incaviglia.

Things quickly came together in spring training, and it carried over to the regular season. The team got off to a fast start, and went on to win the National League East, holding first place for all but one day during the season. In the National League Championship Series, the Phils upset the heavily-favored Atlanta Braves. Many Phillies players detested the Braves, feeling they didn't respect the Phils or any other team in general. The book ends with the World Series loss to the Toronto Blue Jays and the immediate aftermath, followed by a "where are they now?" listing of the team's players.

Also included are a series of anecdotes from Tom Burgoyne, the main man inside the Phillie Phanatic costume since 1994. Burgoyne was the backup Phanatic to Dave Raymond during the 1993 season. Though many are not relevant to the main story, they are entertaining nonetheless.

The only problem I had with the book, and it is a minor one at that, is that it plays up the Philadelphia-New York rivalry a little too heavily. Had the Phillies and Mets been battling for the NL East title that season, or if the Phils had met the Yankees in the World Series, then this would have been an interesting aside. As it was, the Mets lost 103 games in 1993, and the Yankees were in the beginning stages of what would become yet another dominant run (as of this writing, the 1993 postseason was the last one to not include the Bronx Bombers), so this angle seems a little out of place.

All in all, an excellent read, especially for those of us who enjoyed that magical ride and have been waiting ever since for the next one.

Half Great, Half Lame
This is really two books in one. The white pages which depict the '93 team, and the gray pages which are stories about the Phanatic's exploits since 1978. The white pages are very, very good. There are lots of quotes from the major people involved, and the author does a great job of weaving them in with the story of the season. On the other hand, the gray pages are beyond worthless. I recommend this book, but just read the white pages. It serves as a reminder of what it means to have a baseball team to be proud of in Philly. The only downside is that as you read it, you will probably become angry at the current Philles roster. You'll catch yourself wondering..."why can't these guys play this way."

love these guys!
This was one of the greatest teams I've seen in my lifetime!I don't think there will ever be another group like them.This book really captures what it was like from the beginning to the end of the '93 season! I couldn't put it down!!!

1993 Revisited....
This is a great book for every die hard Phillies fan as it takes you back to the magical ride of 1993. Burgoyne provides a unique 'insider's look' at the 1993 team and recaptures the cavalier spirit and 'never say die' attitude this team embodied. Interspersed througout his narrative are several anecdotes about the players as well as some of the more infamous moments of that summer. These anecdotes heighten the reader's understanding of the players, the team as a whole and the dynamic that captured the city. This is a must read for all of the fans of Danny Jackson and the 'DJ Pump Me Up', John Kruk ("I ain't an athlete, lady. I'm a ballplayer."), Pete Incaviglia, Nails, Wild Thing, Darren Daulton and his 'Ghetto Row' and the rest of this motley crew. You can't help but get excited about being a Phillies fan-past, present, and future, after reading this book. ... Read more

Product Description
More than 20 former and current Pale Hose players share their fondest single-game White Sox experience and memories with the Chicago Tribunes Lew Freedman. Many of these moments have helped shape the White Soxs rich heritage in Chicago. Billy Pierce, Scott Podsednik, Mark Buehrle, Greg Walker, Bobby Jenks, Turk Lown, and Gerry Staley are but a few of the legendary stars who discuss the games of their lives. This book is the ticket for White Sox fans to travel back in time alongside many of their heroes to experience the moments that have shaped the South Siders during the teams 107-year history. Lew Freedman is a sportswriter for the Chicago Tribune, where he has served as the newspapers outdoors reporter for more than five years. In addition, he contributes to coverage of Chicagos many sports teams, including the White Sox, Bears, and local college basketball teams. The author of 24 books, Freedman has won numerous journalism awards. ... Read more

Product Description
InThe 100 Greatest Jews in Sports, Ranked According to Achievement, the author ofThe Jewish Athletes' Hall of Fame applies quantitative criteria to definitively rank the greatest Jewish athletes of modern times from all major sports against one another according to achievement. The information is presented in a light and entertaining way that will appeal to all sports enthusiasts. ... Read more