Product Description
It s old school and new school. It s unique and ubiquitous. It s yellow and white. It s red, white, and blue. It s one of America s favorite brands: a classic for nearly 60 years and still a fad-proof fan favorite. The Wiffle Ball remains the great equalizer, befuddling batters of all ages. It curves, zips, and zooms with a mind of its own, turning anyone into a major league pitcher. It stands alone with its eight slots of perforated perfection, distinguished by its asymmetry and unpredictability. With millions of Wiffle bats and balls sold each year, its following is unparalleled with a devotion bordering on obsession. Just ask comedian Drew Carey s manager, Rick Messina, creator of Strawberry Field, one of the country s premier Wiffle venues. Turning his neighbor s adjoining house into a press box and locker room with stadium seats and lights, Mussina set the gold standard for the backyard Wiffle field. In Wiffle Ball, author Michael Hermann, president of Wicked Cow Entertainment, and The Wiffle Ball Inc. s, brand managers, gives readers an inside look at this palatial Wiffle get-up and at the best Wiffle fields around, as well as the down-and-dirty on how in 1953 a down-on-his luck shoe polish salesman and his 13-year-old son concocted the first Wiffle Ball from spare perfume packaging, turning a plastic orb into an American icon. You ll explore The Science of Wiffle, and why a Wiffle Ball, well, wiffles. You ll also learn all the how to s: how to build the best field; how to throw the best sinker ball; and how to best tape up a Wiffle Bat. Did you know Wiffle Bats were once made of wood? You ll find out why here. And best of all, major leaguers and A-list celebs will share their fondest and funniest Wiffle memories.After all, who doesnt love Wiffle Ball? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

If you enjoy Wiffle - buy Michael's book!
Michael Hermann has put together a most informative book about Wiffle Ball, past and present.The reader is introduced to the family who started it all, someone the author knows personally. The book is well-written and a lot of fun to refer back to, even after you've finished the last page!I think baseball fans would enjoy Wiffle's story - of how Wiffle Ball came to be and how it's played today.I would highly recommend this book - the author has a unique style to his writing, almost conversational.I thoroughly enjoyed reading Wiffle Ball - The Ultimate Guide, and would highly recommend it.

A Must Own
Great Book.A perfect gift for the avid sports fan. Michael's love for the game definitely comes through in his writing.Love the interviews and tips. Highly recommend.

Great gift.
Awesome book.I went through it one Saturday and have opened it back up various times since.It's a very fun read about wiffle, baseball and all those things entail for fans like me.I'm not a thoughtful gift-giver type of guy but this will be great for me for Christmas to send copies to a lot of old friends who I haven't seen in years. I do worry that the guys in Vermont with Little Fenway and Little Wrigley may get a lot of gawkers and interlopers like me now who need to play there and take pictures.I'm glad there was finally a book out about this.

Everything You Want to Know - And Then Some - In Two Hours
Spring is finally here and I decided to wrangle up friends using a game of Wiffle Ball as the hook. I bought the book to get the story behind the story; like just about every other kid in America, summertime was synonymous with Wiffle games and the ever-elusive skills to make the ball curve on demand. Now in my 30s, it's the absolute ideal reason to gather guys & gals in the park and escape the apartment. Armed with the book, I figured I'd toss out some fun facts to the gang and get an academic perspective on how to pitch a competitive game.

To that end, the book overdelivers. It's a fun read. Period. In my estimation, it's got exactly the right amount of history, trivia, strategy and editorial from a cornucopia of celebs (only Wiffle could find a link between Dr. J and the Jonas Brothers). The book is a fast read - I think I got through it cover-to-cover in about two hours, and it's formatted to give you the story & the skills right away....seemingly in an effort to get you out swinging the iconic yellow bat as soon as possible. And to that end, we had an awesome game last Sunday that went nearly 3 hours! My pitch still needs work, but the summer lays ahead.

I don't quite understand one of the previous reviews where the writing is criticized as "too colloquial". Um, it's Wiffle Ball - did you see the cover? In my opinion, Hermann's writing style matches the fun, family, throwback-to-youth energy that embodies Wiffle energy. If you're a lifelong Wiffle expert, then yes, you will likely know most of what the book offers, but it doesn't mean you can make the slotted ball dive & curve......

Wiffle Ball: A counter culture more deserving of a better book
I bought this book the day it was released. I'm an avid wiffleball player and fan. I write columns for a national wiffleball website. I've played the game my whole life and ran a league for about 7 years. Needless to say...I know a lot about wiffleball. So the idea of buying a book about something I already know a lot about doesn't sound like a good idea but I had to have a copy just for sentiment. While there are some things in there I didn't know there was a lot of overkill about the mullany family which is important, because they did invent the product afterall. My biggest problem with this book is it's unprofessional writing. I don't know if it's because I have too high of standards when reading about something that is a major hobby of mine or if I'm used to reading good writing -- either way the writing for this book was unsatisfactory. It's too conversational and colloquial. When used effectively that type of writing can be quite good, mental floss for an example. But this guy just doesn't pull it off. There are some weird mechanical issues in the book too. There are a couple of sentences in there that you can try to read over and over again and they make no more sense than the first attempt you put into reading it. It's just plain bad writing.
The thing I like most about this book is that they go into depth about some of the most successful wifflers to ever play the game. The guy who build little Fenway is in there and so is the guy who founded the Golden Stick Wiffleball League. Fat Bastard Wiffleball is also mentioned. At the index of the book there is a directory of well-known wiffleball leagues in the country, which is nice except they missed several cool leagues. Oh well. This book does effectively convey that wiffleball isn't just a kid's game anymore, it's a culture. Wiffleball has grown from a simple game to a way of life for some. The book wasn't awful but I was expecting a lot more. If there weren't those errors in the writing (which there aren't a whole lot but enough) I would have enjoyed it more. If you don't know a lot about wiffleball or the history of the sport then this book might fit your bill nicely. But if you've played the game for a while and know the ropes this book will be of little value to you other than as a collectors item. ... Read more

Product Description
Profiling nine of the most memorable games in baseball history, a young fan's treasury provides play-by-play descriptions that bring to life every sensational pitch, hit, catch, and home run. Reprint. SLJ. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

coverage of nine of the best games in the history of baseball.
Any time you write a book on the greatest of anything you are asking for trouble.In this case Gutman covers baseball from its early years up to the year of the book's publication 1997 and I dare say there have been games since that could go on the list.But making it even harder on himGutman freely admits to not being qualified to pick such a list but he did extensive research and consulted with several experts. Gutman narrows it down to 9 games.He doesn't even have a top 10!gutman defines a great game as a game with dominant pitching or long home runs or spectacular catches or great strategy or any combination of the above.But for Gutman the one prerequisite is tension.A sense of excitement drama and suspense that is what makes baseball our national pastime.In the preface he mentions that his main regret is that he could not include many others due to page restrictions.He mentions Johnny Vander Meer's second no-hitter, Reggie Jackson 3 home run game on consecutive pitches in the 1977 World Series, Don Larsen's perfect game and Babe Ruth's called shot in the 1932 World Series against the Cubs.This book is very well written and holds your interest.

He devotes an entire chapter to each game.They go by "The Shot Heard 'Round the World," the Dodger-Giant final playoff game of 1951, the Fisk Game, Game 6 of the 1975 World Series, "the Haddix Game where Harvey Haddix pitched 12 perfect inninngs against the Milwaukee Braves but because his Pittsburgh Pirate teammates could score 1 run he lost in the 13 th inning, "the Mazeroski Game" , the game when Bill Mazeroski hit a walkoff homer to defeat the Yankees in the seventh game of the 1960 World Series, "The $15,000 'Slide'", a game from the 19th Century, "the Houston Marathon", a 16 inning game between the Mets and the Astros that desided the 1986 NL pennant, "The Homer in the Gloamin'", a game that ended with a home run in darkness (no lights back in 1938) with the pennant on the line, "The Alexander Game", a confrontation between pitcher and hitter in the tense 7th game of the 1936 World Series, and "the Gibson Game", game 1 of the 1988 World Series where a Dodger comeback was climaxed by a home run by a hobbled Kirk Gibson and hit off Dennis Eckersley a Hall of Fame relief pitcher for Oakland.

I can't complain about the stories that were picked but I do quibble about 2 that were left out.I don't see how Don larsen's perfect game is left out.it was a crucial game 5 on the 1956 World Series.Larsen and maglie dueled in a great pitchers battle and Sal Maglie was only lifted for a pinch hitter in Dale Mitchell, who made the final out of the game on a called third strike.The game went rapidly so quick that as a child in elementary school as I rushed home to watch the end of the game just past 3 PM on a school day the game was already over!The final score was 2-0 and both pitchers pitched complete games.There was also the drama of two defensive play that preseved the no-hitter.One was a great catch by Mickey Mantle of a hard hit fly ball into the left center power alley by Gil Hodges.The other was a fluke play where an alert Gil McDougald fielded a ground ball in the shortstop hole that had been deflected off the glove of thirdbaseman Andy Carey.

The other game would be the Blue Jays World Championship in 1993 where Joe Carter hit the walkoff homerun to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies in game 6 of the World Series.Just like Mazeroski's home run it decided the series.But it was not in a winner take all seventh game.

This is a very enjoyable book to read for children and adult baseball fans alike.

Great Games
My book is about great games such as Mets vs Astros.The Astros had 3 points and the Mets had 0 but then the Mets mysteriously came back.It tells about Little Poison and Big Poison.It even tells about the Yankees vs. Cardinals in 1926.I like this book because it talks about baseball and baseball is my favorite sport. ... Read more

Product Description
This is the first book to successfully combine the philosophies of the world's greatest hitters, sports psychologists, and spiritual masters to maximize a hitter's ability to enter the Zone during competition.The Zone, every athletes greatest asset, is that rare mental state of enhanced space-time perception where the action appears to slow down, the ball appears larger, closer, and easier to hit, your decision making is impeccable, your hand-eye coordination is razor-sharp, and perfect performances are automatic.This is the first and only book on hitting which explains in crystal clear language both why and how a hitter can enter the Zone during competition and achieve seemingly impossible goals. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A new creative method to use batting tee
How to use imaging and batting teee together for a mental training on hitting.The idea is very good and useful. Not very interesting the
"spiritual" side of the booklet. ... Read more

Product Description
Molly is envious of her sister, Allie, the best softball pitcher in the state, but when Molly gets drafted to Allie's team, the Blazers, the pressure to perform becomes intense as she and Allie are now equally responsible for bringing home the championship. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

This book is not the greatest book i have read!!!!!!
This book is about a ten-year old girl named molly and her sister who is twelve-years old her name is Allison..Molly doesnt like her sisterbecause she says that she is the center of the world,because she was on the best softball team around CA.and also because she was the fastest and the best pitcher.and all of the girls wanted to be just like her.Molly got mad because her dad is the coach and wont let her play because she is only 10 years old...She says that life is not right because of her sister...Well if you would like to know more about the book you will have to just read it...but like i said it's not the best book ever!!!!!!!

It Was Awsome
I loved this book.It was so interesting.Once I started reading it I could barely put it down.I play softball and I pitch.Allie is a really great pitcher.I hope that more people read this book.I can relate to both Allie and Molly.If you haven't read this book I highly recommed it.Kathy Mackel is an amazing author and I hope she writes a sequel to this book!It was AWSOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow, did this book jazz our 10 year old softball player!
I purchased this book based on Amazon's recommended readings and readers' book reviews.I didn't expect it to be such a hit, but our 10 year old daughter couldn't stop reading it, talking about it, and reading parts tome.Like Molly, she's lived in the shadow of her siblings attleticprowess, and is only now coming into her own.There are far too fewengaging books about girls and athletics out there, but this one iscertainly at the top of the list.At my daughter's urging, I read it, and(like her) couldn't put it down.This book deals with all the issues inkids sports -- overpowering parental interest, the effects of a starathlete on the rest of the family, the emotions of competition, and--mostimportantly--how kids just want to play sports for fun and have funplaying. Highly recommended by two generations in out family!

Wonderful story with a message about true victory
My two daughters, age 10 and 11, and I read this book together during our own softball season.We couldn't wait for the next chapter to tell us what happened to Allie and Molly and their respective softball teams.The message about what it takes to be the best-at softball, at being a sister,at being a friend, at being Dad and coach-were excellent.We highlyrecommend this book and have given it to friends.A must-read for youngfemale athletes!!!Lori ... Read more

Product Description
Youth Baseball and Softball drills, plays, and situations handbook for young coaches or youth coaches. Many drills to build a teams speed, coordination, agility, and techniques for fundamental Baseball or Softball. 48 different drills to help a coach set up practices. 66 different plays covering all phases of the game. 33 different situations to make sure your players are in the right position at the right time. ... Read more

Product Description

As the essential rules book for recreational sport slow pitch softball, the NIRSA Slow Pitch Softball Rules Book includes all of the latest rule changes and updates for the sport. It's an easy-to-read pocket-sized rules book that's handy to refer to before, after, and even during the game. Keep on top of the latest rules and requirements with the NIRSA Slow Pitch Softball Rules Book.

Product Description
This book is about a small but major change in the swinging of a bat. Other striking sports like tennis, golf, and hockey have been researched for this book. This new swing will give better and more consistent bat and ball contact with no loss of bat speed. Learning through the kinesthetic sense (feel) is also covered as a means to acquiring better sense of feel and timing in the game. Of course, the mental game is helpful to all sports. ... Read more

Product Description
This energetic introduction to softball will help readers develop and improve their game.Susan Craig and Ken Johnson are co-head softball coaches at the University of New Mexico Albuquerque The book covers all areas including history and trends, fundamental skills and drills, equipment and safety concerns, and rules and regulations. ... Read more

Product Description
High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike out (denoted by SO or K[1]) occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters. Pitchers want to throw as many strikeouts as possible, while batters attempt to minimize striking out themselves. While strikeouts are associated with dominance on the part of the pitcher, it is recognized that the style of swing that generates home runs also leaves the batter somewhat susceptible to striking out. Some of the greatest home run hitters of all time? such as Reggie Jackson and Sammy Sosa? were notorious for striking out. ... Read more

Product Description
High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Softball tournaments have been held at the Pan American Games since 1979. The men's tournament was discontinued after the 2003 Pan American Games. The discontinuation of the men's tournament did not affect the women's and a women's tournament is planned for 2011 in Guadalajara. After 2003, it was decided to eliminate all non-Olympic Sports from the Pan American Games. Hence, 2003 will be the last edition of this tournament until this policy is reversed. ... Read more

Product Description
High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Softball is governed in Ireland by the Softball Ireland, itself a member of the International Softball Federation. 1982 marked the first softball league in Ireland, the Dublin Softball League. The Irish Softball Association was formed in 1989. It has been in various guises since then including the Irish Baseball and Softball Association, the Irish Baseball and Softball Federation, back to the Irish Softball Association and in recent year's has been renamed Softball Ireland. Softball Ireland is the governing body of softball in Ireland. SI is responsible for the running of tournaments, Leagues, development and international competition in both co-ed slowpitch and ladies fastpitch softball. ... Read more

Product Description
High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Softball at the 2004 Summer Olympics was held at the Olympic Softball Stadium in the Helliniko Olympic Complex from August 14 to 23. The United States (USA) won the gold while Australia (AUS) took silver and Japan (JPN), the bronze. It was one of the three sports at the Athens Olympics that was for women only along with Synchronized Swimming and Rhythmic Gymnastics. Eight teams competed for the gold medal in only the third appearance of the sport at the Summer Olympics. ... Read more

Product Description
High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Softball made its first appearance as an official medal sport at the 1996 Summer Olympics. The competition was held at historic Golden Park in Columbus, Georgia. Softball is a team game commonly played in the United States and other countries. It is a direct descendant of baseball although some key differences are that softballs are larger than baseballs and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand. Softball is played on a smaller diamond than in baseball; a softball field's average distances from home plate to the center, left and right field fences are 220, 200 and 200 feet respectively (the corresponding baseball field average distances are 410, 325 and 325 feet). Despite the game's name, the standard softball is not soft; in fact, it is just as hard as a baseball. ... Read more

Product Description
High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Softball was introduced as a World Games sport at the 1981 World Games in Santa Clara and discontinued after the 1985 games in London. It was reintroduced as a women's invitational sport in 2009 in Kaohsiung after it had been removed from the Olympic Games programme. Softball is a team game commonly played in the United States and other countries. It is a direct descendant of baseball although some key differences are that softballs are larger than baseballs and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand. Softball is played on a smaller diamond than in baseball; a softball field's average distances from home plate to the center, left and right field fences are 220, 200 and 200 feet respectively. Despite the game's name, the standard softball is not soft; in fact, it is just as hard as a baseball. ... Read more

Product Description
High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The softball competition at the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games was held in Mayagüez and Hormigueros, Puerto Rico. The men's tournament was scheduled to be held from 18-24 July at the Santiago Llorens Stadium in Mayagüez and the women's tournament was held from 23-30 July at the Julio Rivera Lopez Stadium, Hormigueros. Softball is a team game commonly played in the United States and other countries. It is a direct descendant of baseball although some key differences are that softballs are larger than baseballs and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand. Softball is played on a smaller diamond than in baseball; a softball field's average distances from home plate to the center, left and right field fences are 220, 200 and 200 feet respectively. Despite the game's name, the standard softball is not soft; in fact, it is just as hard as a baseball. ... Read more

Product Description
High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The tournament is unique in that it features three tiers of competition and a loss doesn't necessarily eliminate a team from contention. In fact, throughout the entire tournament a team can lose a total of four games and still be crowned champions.During team selection the top sixteen teams are given "national seeds", which are used for organizing the brackets. The first tier, called "regionals", consists of 16 locations that include four teams competing in a double elimination bracket. The regional containing overall #1 seed will be matched up with the regional containing the overall #16 seed, the #2 seed will be matched up with the #15 seed, and so on. The winner of each regional moves on to the second tier, the "super regionals".The super regionals are played at eight locations throughout the country and consist of the 16 surviving teams, with the higher seeded team usually hosting. Two teams are matched up at each location and they play a best-of-three series to determine who moves on to the Women's College World Series. ... Read more