Baseball Books

Beautiful photos of baseball folk art and an informative text which discusses the specific pieces of art shown and the artists who created them -something many art books don't do- this book is a treat for baseball fans and art lovers, as well as a deserving CASEY Award Finalist for 2003.

I don't usually buy "art" books, but as a baseball fan I couldn't resist this one. I'm glad that I didn't, since I don't remember when I had so much fun with a book. Page after page surprised, entertained, and informed me. I don't know which I enjoyed more, the illustrations or the text. One intriquing aspect of the book is the way in which it ties the changing folk art and ephemera of baseball to a changing American society.

Would I have enjoyed the book if I weren't a baseball fan? Probably. I lent my copy to a friend with an interest in art, but absolutely no interest in sports. She liked it enough to visit the show at the American Folk Art Museum. (But not enough that I could talk her into attending an actual baseball game.)

In summary, I strongly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in EITHER baseball or folk art.

This is a great book for teaching a hard-nosed, common-sense approach when digging in at the plate. No one knew the situation at the plate than Charlie Hustle. Pete Rose thought going 2-4 was an off day. Now THAT's a tough mental approach that I can respect.

The chapters dealing with the mechanics of a solid swing are great. Perhaps even better are the numerous mental tips on how to approach an at-bat for all situations and hitting styles. My wife and I are expecting a son in February and this will be his first book I buy him...right after the Bible, of course.

Excellent job of explaining the most important fundamentals succintly with inspiring mental approach to the game. Great large format pictures accompany the text. Advanced topics include details on the two strike stroke, practical reasons for a hitchless compact swing, and other useful "insider" tips. Text should be easy to read by any player 12+.

My book is called Pitchers Duel by Coach Clair Bee. This book is about an high school all star player who learns that there are bullies who can bring people down. There were bullies that didn't like the coach and wanted to suspend Chip to make their team lose state. The bullies poured things on the coach who is Rockwell and Chip wanted to save him, so he got into a fight and got suspended. Then once the suspension was over, the bullies had to think of another plan to set on Chip. So they forged Chip's contract that he got to prevent him to play in the playoffs. Chip went to the police to prove that he didn't sign it. Finally, he came back in the championship game to play the 10th inning through the 19th. They lost that game and then Rockwell retired.
There are a lot of reasons why someone else should read this book. One reason is that this story teaches you how to prevent bullies. Another reason why someone else should read this book is that there are a lot of different series about Chip Hilton. The last reason why someone else should read this book is that you can learn about all different sports like baseball football and basketball. Some people that might want to read this book are people who like baseball. Other people are maybe people who love reading sports books. Finally, people who would want to read this book are " all about sports ". This was one of my favorite books i have ever read.

This Chip Hilton book was so good to read that I didn't want to finish the last page. I'm glad there are lots of other titles to read by Coach Bee.

It is finally here! This book includes everything you could want to know about the Pirates. It rates the Top 100 players in Pirates history, Top 10 teams, and 10 worst teams. It includes info on all of the Pirates managers, general managers, and owners. It provides a year-by-year season recap. It has info on each of the ballparks the Bucs have called home. If you want one book for reference on Pirates history, this is the one.

By far the best book on the Pittsburgh Pirates that I've seen, complete with season-by-season recaps and stats galore. The highlight: Lifelong baseball fans Finoli and Ranier offer their picks for the 100 best players in the history of the storied franchise. It's sure to start an argument or two among fans of the black-and-gold, but that's what a good book should do. Well-researched and written, this is a must reference guide for any self-respecting Pirates fan. (And you know who you are.)

Terrific Book! "Places Around the Bases" does a great job in relating Coors Field to its setting wihtin LoDo Denver. It enhances the experience of attending a Rockies home game by extending the experience to the neighboring historic district. This book helpes make walking through LoDo streets on the way to Coors Field as enjoyable a part of going to a Rockies Game as the game itself.

I'm Norwegian, I love America and I love love love Baseball. So when I had the chance to go to Denver, meet some internet friends and see Denver, my main priorety was to go to Coors field and see the Colorado Rockies play. This would be my first ever, real baseball game. When I was there I truly enjoyed myself. And I told myself "I am going back to this city and this wonderfull ballpark so help me God" and I also told myself I had to learn more about the surounding erea of Coors field. It looked historic yet very new and fresh. The local person who took me to the games told me that this whole erea had be revitalised from near slum to it's present prestine look thanks to the building and opening (in 1995) of Coors field. So when I got back home and online I wrote down Coors field, Lo Do, Denver and this book came up. I bought it and I could finally read all about the great red brick buildings around Coors Field, what I now call the Temple in Denver, and learn all about the fun little histories behind them. I loved Denver and Coors field. Reading this book made me want to go back and explore even more. Maybe even go back and stay.

This text gives adults a trip down memory lane to their Little League days. It proves that many lessons were learned there, even though we just thought we were playing a game. Lowe's insight into his parents, coaches and teammates perceptions of the Little League experience provides a unique appreciation for the game of baseball and childhood experiences. Many of the tidbits mentioned here will ring true for baseball fans as well as for lovers of life, kids and memories of smelly socks and dirty uniforms

This text gives adults a trip down memory lane to their Little League days. It proves that many lessons were learned there, even though we just thought we were playing a game. Lowe's insight into his parents, coaches and teammates perceptions of the Little League experience provides a unique appreciation for the game of baseball and childhood experiences. Many of the tidbits mentioned here will ring true for baseball fans as well as for lovers of life, kids and memories of smelly socks and dirty uniforms

This is a book that will lead the reader into thinking about baseball in the larger context of preparing and sustaining American soldiers during WW II. Bullock has done extensive research on Major League Baseball and how its replicated military leagues counterpart during the '40's contributed to morale building for the troops and the nation. With sparkle and wit, Bullock offers little-known background on an important historical aspect of our "national pastime." Included are incisive insights about some of the baseball greats: Joe Dimaggio, Ted Williams, Bob Feller, etc.

This is a great book for both war and sports fans. It has a ton of information on baseball and how it helped many of our men in WWII. The author goes into detail on how the war changed the way baseball was played at home, and how it boosted moral in the battlefield.

I love this song. Although made famous by Peter, Paul and Mary, the creative genius stems from Willy Welch. He perfectly captures the memories and emotions of the young daydreaming ballplayer in all of us. This is truly a magical book, and I recommend for any parent or grandparent.

Every man who ever played any form of baseball needs to read this book to a youngster,especially if he was always the last chosen for a team. If "Playing Right Field" by Willy Welch doesn't stir the reader's emotional caulderon, be sure and check their pulse. Not only do I relate to this work in my own childhood, but also as a former baseball coach. Welch captured the essence of how one might reflect on those childhood days, filled with a mixture of happy and painful memories. How well I remember being chosen last for the team, being last to bat, playing right field...and of catching a difficult popup-fly ball. The artistic work of illustrator Marc Simont beautifully adds to "Playing Right Field." And the poetry was a natural to be matched with music, and is performed by folk artists Peter, Paul and Mary, on their albums "No Easy Walk to Freedom" and "Peter, Paul and Mommy Two." I rank this on the top rung of children's poetry, along with such greats as "Where The Sidewalk Ends" and "The Butterfly Jar." This is a book everyone should own!

Playing the Field is the first book I've read by Janette Rallison. Five minutes after I finished the last chapter, I ordered every other book that Janette has written.

The characterization and point of view made this book an incredible read for me. I love how the story is told through the voice of a boy and I love all the baseball talk. And . . . it's not just talk or references, this author knows her game! We actually get to go inside the mind of McKay, a teenage boy who is suddenly faced with the world of dating. More unsure than insecure, McKay watches and listens to his best friend, Tony, boast about his "going out" skills. Thank goodness McKay does not follow Tony's lead. McKay seems for the most part to like being who he is, a boy who likes baseball, has trouble with algebra, and wants his own room. We do see him go back and forth about dating, but the no dating until your 16 rule is pretty much iron clad as far as his parents are concerned.

Janette Rallison did an excellent job of making all the characters in this book 3-dimensional without using clichés. She is a great writer and gives her wonderful cast of characters unique and individual voices.

Hey like baseball, love, and helpful hints to be a teen? well playing the field has all of those and is very intertaning.
all of janette rallisons books are inspiering to all and are made for teens. I think this book is five stars and makes you feel like you can see the whole thing in your head. I think it is so good they could make a movie about it.

I am six years old and just started playing baseball this year. It was great to read a book about a boy who loved baseball so much even if his team wasn't winning. The end was very good and very exciting.

Our family loves Fred Bowen's books because each story includes a little real sports history. The history in Playoff Dreams is about Ernie Banks of the Chicago Cubs. He was a fantastic player with a fantastic attitude. He never got down on the game even though his team never made it to the World Series. The main character in Playoff Dreams is a centerfielder named Brendan. He is a really good player but he's bummed because his teammates stink. He goes to a game at Wrigley Field (home of the Chicago Cubs). The whole scene at Wrigley Field is very interesting and readers will be surprised at what Brendan does (reluctantly) because of a long-standing real-life tradition with Cubs fans. (It's really neat the way the author pulls in real history.) Brendan learns about the legend of Ernie Banks at Wrigley Field and the lesson about optimism takes root slowly in Brendan. Parents will love the moral of the story and kids will love all the sports action (there's lots of it.)