Leagues Books

Highly detailed and at the same time very concise; a true encyclopedia in every sense.

Full of interesting tidbits.

The Ball Clubs is an excellent book. It provides extremely informative backgrounds on ALL major league franchises. I do, however, have two rather nagging criticisms of this book. The first is that the authors seem to be excessively "anti-owner": they seem to take every opportunity to point out every flaw in anybody who ever owned or operated a major league baseball franchise, while rarely (if ever) complimenting these individuals. The second criticism, which in my opinion is much more serious, is their quite STUPID decision to separate "franchises" into separate "teams" (such as the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers). This practice reaches a ridiculous point when a continuous franchise which has played in two different leagues (such as the Pittsburgh Pirates, in the AA from 1882-1886 and the NL from 1887-present) is given two different entries - for the SAME FRANCHISE!!! (Does that mean that there will be yet ANOTHER entry for the Milwaukee Brewers, since they are transferring to the NL in 1998?)

Whoecver heard of the Chicago Whales? While Chicago would be the last place one would go to find a whale (outside captivity), there was a team by that name at the turn of the century. I enjoyed this book as both a baseball fan and a historian. One fault that I do find, however, is the absence of the Negro Leagues. Maybe this oversight can be corrected in a future edition or even in a separate compendium. Also, while mention is made of the original Milwaukee Brewers AL franchise in 1903 in the St. Louis Browns entry, there is no separate entry listed for that particular franchise. The 1903 Brewers had as colorful a year as the 1969 Seattle Pilots (which themselves became the modern day Milwaukee Brewers).

If you had to buy just one book on baseball then "The Ball Clubs" should be the one you choose. It presents an in-depth look at every professional baseball club in the history of "America's pastime". Everyone knows of The Dodgers, The Yankees, The Braves et al, but how many have heard of The New York Mutuals or Altoona Mountain Citys, who also played a role (however brief) in the formation and history of Major League Baseball as we know it today. Well researched and written, this book should become a standard among baseball literature and will hopefully be updated on a regular basis. The writers demonstrate their love and knowledge of the game and this comes across in the book which not only includes bare facts but amusing side stories as well. This book is an enjoyable read and should form the foundation of any baseball book collection

I have been getting the Forecaster for about 7 years. It has all the information you need to make good, informed picks during your fantasy draft. Ron's player comments are usually right on the money, and very entertaining. If you don't have the Forecaster and other members of your league do, you're starting from a serious disadvantage.

Ron Shandler's book is nothing short of exceptional - and it's indispensible for fantasy league players. His use of sabermetric tools is very sophisticated but also easily understandable. (Not many other guides discuss important concepts like Batting Eye, Base Performance Value and Speed Index.) Shandler's book is so solid and thorough you'll find yourself hoping that no one else in your league also owns a copy!

This is the first(definitely not the last) time I have ever bought this book. I have used it now after about 2 months into the year so much the ends are curling up from frequent use. I bought four other guide books for prep in our fantasy league. I NEVER USE ANY OF THE OTHER GUIDES ANYMORE!

Save yourself a lot of time and buy the only fantasy guide you need to buy. This book is not a rehash of the "same old junk" as all the others seem to be. It breaks down the reasons to grab people nobody knows about and goes "inside the numbers."

This is my new best friend that nobody will know about but me. I just hope the cover lasts all year!!

If you play fantasy baseball, Shandler's book has the best player analysis of any book on the market -- I've read a lot of them.

Shandler uses sabermetic principles to look at all players who played in the majors last season. The book is orgainzed by player alphabetically, dividing hitter and pitchers. There are some general articles on fantasy strategy in there too that are quite useful whether you're new to the game or an old vet.

If I was going to buy only one book on baseball, I'm not sure it would be this one -- the Baseball Prospectus has a greater range of players (includes more minor leaguers) and the team comments are very interesting. If I was was going to buy one fantasy baseball book... it would probably be this one.

In any case, it's worth picking up.

At the 2006 Cape Cod Baseball League All-Star Game at Red Wilson Field (South Yarmouth, MA), I finally picked up the book Beach Chairs and Baseball Bats by Steve Weissman. Steve was parked behind home plate, as usual, in a tent selling and autographing copies. He is a very down-to-earth friendly guy, and graciously personalized my copy of the book.

The day after the All-Star Game was nice and sunny, so I headed to Covell's Beach (Centerville, MA) to start reading the book.

Beach Chairs and Baseball Bats begins with Steve's first encounter with the Cape League and explains the history behind the league. Then, the book looks at each team, their field, and other facts (e.g. Does the field have lights or not?). Steve then goes into details behind the off-season and the beginning of the season. Sprinkled throughout are player profiles with interesting facts about individual members from various teams. The latter half of the book is filled with tidbits about the league (e.g. The 50/50 raffle), and goes into detail about the season and playoffs.

Because I know a lot about the league, I was initially concerned that Beach Chairs and Baseball Bats would not tell me anything new. But, I was pleasantly surprised to learn quite a bit. The author has a great knack for unveiling interesting facts. For example, I had always wondered about the history behind the Orleans Cardinal's mascot, Mr. Cardinal. I don't think the other Cape League books I read even mention the team mascots ("Homer" in Falmouth and "Mr. Cardinal" in Orleans).

The story of the 2004 Cape League playoffs is told in great detail in the chapter "The 'Second Season'." The playoffs last less than a week, but consist of the most exciting games to watch, and I am glad that Steve decided to narrate them.

The book finishes with personal notes from players in the Cape League, a list of former Cape players in Major League Baseball, a list of Cape players drafted in 2004, and a plethora of fascinating black & white photos.

Overall, I think this book is the best option for anyone who has been, or plans to go to a Cape game and wants to learn more about the league. After reading this book, I would then recommend watching the Cape League documentary Touching the Game. For those looking for more of a story that follows an entire Cape season, look toward The Last Best League by Jim Collins, or the novel Slider by Patrick Robinson. And for those looking more for historical information check out Baseball by the Beach by Christopher Price. The only book I have not yet had a chance to read is Cape Crusaders by Mike Thomas, which apparently is filled with interviews and accounts from players, coaches and volunteers.

As a frequent visitor to Cape Cod for over 30 years and a baseball fan, how could it be that I've only recently attended my first Cape Cod Baseball League game? But it took just one visit and I'm hooked. Why? Maybe it's the friendly atmosphere or the colorful townies cheering on their teams along side the vacationers or the sense of community that enhances the opportunity to watch the best college players in the country playing their hearts out and showing everyone what they've got. It is a great take for the whole family or for the single fan. And it's priced right ... admission is free. Where can you get that in America these days?

Steve Weissman's book "Beach Chairs and Baseball Bats" is not a history of the CCBL (although there is enough to give you the basics), but the book goes beyond the baseball and captures the Cape League experience. It looks at the players, the teams, the host families, the fans, the volunteers and everything that makes the league tick. And best of all, it answered all of the questions I had about the CCBL. Did you know that there is a Cape Cod Baseball League Hall of Fame in Sandwich? Did you know that many of today's major league players once played in the Cape Cod League? Did you know that many of the players are being studied by major league scouts right before your eyes? "Beach Chairs and Baseball Bats" explains it all from many different angles and makes this book a compelling, feel-good read.

I read this book twice this summer while at the beach in my beach chair. Then I'd head out to a few games afterward armed with a little more knowledge of what I was witnessing. And you know what? I may end up reading it again this winter when I want to recapture a little of that summer magic.

Light easy read. Bought it for my Dad, who is a huge lover of baseball and an ex-college baseball coach. The whole family read it while on vacation in Cape Cod this summer. We found the writer's review of the history and the "business" of running this league fascinating. The personal anecdotes of past players also helped the author convince you of the special place that this league holds in the history and the future of our favorite national sport.
My advice...read the book and plan your summer vacation in Cape Cod. Then, using this book as your reference, see how many Cape Cod baseball games you can attend at as many fields in as many towns as you can. Life doesn't get much better than this!!

I am a huge fan of the Cape Cod Baseball League and the more I learn, the more I love it! If you know nothing about the league or even baseball itself now, you will become a fan as you read. This book really captures the great human stories and the inner workings of the league. It is so wonderful to experience the game at this level...to read about so many great players on the cusp of making it to the major leagues. When I meet people who don't know why baseball is still America's pasttime, I show them this book...it is great that such a pure baseball experience still exists and we can all enjoy it! A great slice of Americana!

Benni and Victoria is a story that pulls you in and makes you want to find out what is going to happen next. The main character, Benni, is a foster child who has gone through many hardships. His thoughts and emotions reflect what many other foster children may feel. The story is imaginative and sends the message that each child has something special to offer. -Cynthia Miller Lovell, author of The Star: A story to help young children understand foster care, and Questions & Activities for The Star: A handbook for foster parents

I read this several times and each time found more facets of little Benni, who endures many hardships but emerges a survivor. I read it to my grandchildren and they both -- girl and boy-- enjoyed the story of little Benni and his ghost friend, Victoria. They were delighted with the end. --- Eileen Hehl

I'm a teacher who read BENNI & VICTORIA to my fifth grade class last spring. Their response was so strong that I intend to read it to this year's class, too. My class loved BENNI & VICTORIA. Every day the book was the highlight of their day, and they begged for me to read more. They liked the illustrations, too. Here are some of their comments: I think Mrs. Aust should write Benny and Victoria II! Jason L. This book was the best book I ever read in my life. My class loved the book. Robert C. BENNI & VICTORIA was a really sad book, but also it made you think life isn't always peaches and cream and doesn't always go your way. Kate A. I liked it when he got in a foster home. Now he has a sister. Danielle P. I loved (BENNI & VICTORIA) so much. I loved the characters. They were cool. Robert K. Benni is a very good boy and he helped Victoria very much. I really like BENNI & VICTORIA. Rodrigo D. I think Benny and Victoria is a great book for all ages. Cai

BENNI & VICTORIA: Friends Through Time tells the story that so many abused and neglected children have lived. I was pleasantly surprised by the charm this book held, by my hesitancy to put it down, and by the sensitivity and accuracy with which Patricia Aust wrote of the children's feelings and experiences. I was reminded that children thrive on mystery, magic and intrigue and are much better able to swallow the truth when surrounded by a well-crafted tale. This book can assist children in exploring their thoughts and feelings and further to affirm that a friendship can help soften difficult times. Reviewed in THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER, Fall 1997, by Molly Faulkner, RN, LISW, Clinical Social Worker, Programs for Children and Adolescents at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM.

I read this book after my 13 year hockey player finished. This is a life lesson book. She is one of the top in her field and like C.Gunn had things to overcome that made them stronger. This book lets girls know these are real people that worked hard, and it is possible to shoot for the stars.

My daughter is a 10 year old girl hockey player and both she and I read the book, she actually did a powerpoint presentation for school on the book. This book is more than just a hockey book but an insiration to all girls about the obstacles Angela overcame in her life. After reading the book myself I am glad to know that my daughter looks up to Angela and wants to be like her, there is NO better role model for a young girl to look up to than Angela. This book is a must for all young girls, no matter what sport or activity they are involved in.

This book is less about hockey and more about getting a peek inside the life of one of the greatest athletes of all time. It details the dedication that excellence requires, combined with personal stories from Angela's life. This book should be a part of every female hockey player's library. As a bonus, Ruggiero is seriously hot.

This book talks about some of the early formings of girls/womens hockey in the USA. This is a very good book to read if you are familiar with hockey. Even if you are not involved with hockey you will like this book, because it talks about overcoming the odds and moving up in the ranks.

This is probably the most enjoyable book I have read regarding hockey or hockey players. Brett provides a light-hearted look at his life that is neither boastful nor "preachy". He is surprisingly modest given the extraordinary career he has had. I particularly enjoyed hearing of his days growing up in the shadow of his legendary dad and how he overcame his own personal obstacles. This book could easily have been two or three times as thick but I am guessing Brett would not have enjoyed writing a lengthy tome - and clearly Brett is motivated by fun more than anything else! A great lesson for anyone!

Brett Hull was a great hockey player. He worked very hard to become a star player. It was very hard growing up the son of a famous hockey player,especailly after his parents divorced. I think Brett Hull will be remembered and admired for his goal scoring and records he set on the ice. After reading this book I will remember him for how hard he works and how he never gave up his dream. I would recommend this book top everyone that is a hockey lover. I enjoyed the book and was happy I chose it.

THIS IS THE STORY OF BRETT HULL IN HIS OWN WORDS. I REALLY LIKED THIS BOOK. BRETT DOES A NICE JOB DESCRIBING HIS CAREER, RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS DIVORCED PARENTS, AND HIS THOUGHTS ON BEING HIMSELF. BRETT FINALLY PLAYED ON A STANLEY CUP WINNER IN 1999. HE TELLS OF ALL THE PLAYOFF DEFEATS AND THE FRUSTRATIONS DURING HIS CAREER. HE ADDS HUMOR, HONESTY, AND ALOT OF INSIGHTS ON THE GAME OF HOCKEY. I RECOMMEND THIS TO ALL HOCKEY FANS AS A GOOD READ.

This is a great book, all of you brett hull fans or not, should go and get this book, it is definetily the best book i've ever read in a long time

A compelling and very well-written account of Jim Crow and minor league baseball in the American South. The book is a fascinating cultural and historical study. The author clearly devoted a great deal of time in researching this book. His presentation of the oral histories is fantastic.

This is a wonderful book, recounting a largely unknown story of American and baseball history - how the southern minors' integration was part of the larger civil rights movement. 20th century baseball integration began but did not end with Jackie Robinson and Larry Doby. Unitl now, no one had taken their legacy to the next step. Bruce Adelson now has in a powerful account of what it was like being on the front lines of baseball and civil rights in the Dixie of the 1950s and early 1960s.

The author does a great job of capturing both sides of the integration battlefields (ballparks) of the South. He effectively uses narratives of former players, both the famous (Felipe Alou, Billy Williams, etc.)and the not so famous (Joe Durham, Percy Miller Jr., etc.) to detail exactly what those pioneers had to endure. Those narratives are interwoven with clippings from various newspapers of the day to tie the intergration of minor league baseball in the South with the overall racial climate of those cities. This book, I believe, would prove to be an interesting and informative read, even for those who are not baseball fans. Adelson obviously did a lot of research and successfully shows how baseball "broke down the walls" for total integration in the South. Spend the money and the time on this book - it's worth it!

The author has done an excellent job documenting the experiences of Hank Aaron, Billy Williams, Felipe Alou and others who broke minor league baseball color lines down south in the years after Jackie Robinson opened up the major leagues. His book includes poignant and compelling interviews with these and other ballplayers who relate their painful experiences of enduring Jim Crow racial restrictions while playing baseball. The author also places their achievements within the historical context of the times, the 1950s and 1960s. These players were truly civil rights pioneers, helping to integrate a closed society. This is a must read!

When you want to know about baseball in its most fundamental and basic form... Ripken is the name you turn to. Easy to read and understand. Every Dad struggling to instruct a child or team can feel safe to turn to Cal Ripken Jr. This book coupled with his previous book are perfect source documents to increase your baseball IQ. I highly recommend this book.

An excellant book for new and experienced coaches. Full of great drills, practice plans, and advice on how to motivate your players. There is even a section on dealing with parents, a very useful section if you want to enjoy coaching for a number of years.

The drills and practice sections are broken down by age group, not many books do this. The Ripkens stress teaching the fundamentals which is missing in todays high profile sports. They cover it all: hitting, pitching (Cal used to be a pitcher), fielding, time management, game situations, etc...

A must read for coaches who want to succeed!

I bought this book to help with specific tips for coaching my daughter's softball team. Although softball pitching is not covered (after all, this is a bok on coaching baseball) the book provides a multitude of teaching points for teaching kids of all age groups. Although there is some overlap, I would strongly suggest purchasing Play Baseball the Ripken Way: The Complete Illustrated Guide to the Fundamentals also. That title breaks down the necessary skills by age groups and provides a series of drills that can be brought right to the diamond. Both of these books seek to instill the Ripken Way - a philosophy of how to approach youth sports (with obvious emphasis on baseball) with a focus on making the game fun for the kids, while teaching the fundamentals.

Very well written book on coaching baseball for all ages. I read this book to get more informed on how to coach 5-6 year old T-Ball. This book provided a very good framework for this age group. Many well timed photographs used to describe practice drills.

Table of contents

Part 1
1 Responsibilities of Coaching
2 Realities of Coaching
3 Reasonable Expectations
4 Baseball Practice Basics

Part 2
5 Hitting and Baserunning Drills
6 Throwing and Pitching Drills
7 Fielding drills

Part 3
Practice Planner
8 Practice Particulars for Ages 4 to 6
9 Practice Particulars for Ages 7 to 9
10 Practice Particulars for Ages 10 to 12
11 Practice particulars for Ages 13 to 14
12 Practice Particulars for Ages 15+

Favorite parts of the book:

Page 6
As coaches, we need to be able to cater to the needs of the kid who can't catch one ball and still make baseball fun and exciting for the kid who can. It's a difficult balance but one that's important to understand at all levels.

As a hardcore Vikings fan I was thrilled to find this book. I truly believe this rivaly is the greatest in the NFL past, present and future. Nothing can discribe the feeling I get when I go to the local pup to watch the Vikes battle the Pack. With this book I can relive past victories and heartbreaks. This book is an excellent book to compair numbers and scores. A must have for Viking or Packer fans but can definitely appeal to NFL histroy buffs. What a find!

Mishler has gone the extra yard to interview great players from both sides of this rivalry. From "crossover players" who found themselves in the enemy camp for their professional careers to the great anecdotes which fill each page any Packer or Viking fan will be entertained. I thought I had heard or read most of the Lombardi year stories, but Todd came up with some new ones I hadn't heard from the post season circuit. A perfect complement to D'Amato and Christl's "Mudbaths and Bloodbaths".

You don't have to be a Vikings or Packers fan to enjoy this book. Any true NFL fan will want to read this book to relive some of the greatest games ever played between these NFC powerhouses. Insight from players and fans alike give a personal feel and provide that extra "edge" that will leave you both chuckling and gritting your teeth depending on which side of the Minnesota-Wisconsin border you happen to live on. Don't hesitate, but a copy for yourself and get some extra's for Xmas gifts!

Cold Wars: 40 Years Of Packer-Viking Rivalry by football enthusiast Todd Mishler is an informed and informative review of every game these the cherished Greenbay Packer and Minnesota Viking football teams have played since 1960. Filled cover to cover along with anecdotes, insights, and cheers from players, coaches, sports writers, and fans, Cold Wars is enthusiastically recommended as an engaging history perfect for Wisconsin and Minnesota football buffs and could well serve as a template for writing books about other historic football rivalries!

I reach for this cookbook again and again, as do my friends. I recently hosted a "new recipe" girls night. All of "the girls" were to bring a dish using a recipe they have never tried before, but wanted to. Out of 6 new recipes, four were from this cookbook and they were absolutely devine. I should mention that I made no mention of the cookbook when planning the dinner.

I have prepared many of the recipes, and have loved them all. While some are simple and great for my small family, others are more impressive and just right for entertaining. Truly, this is one of my favorite cookbooks.

In addition to the recipes, the sidebars offer wonderful tips.

This book has all the earmarks of a beautiful "coffee-table" book - it is interesting whether you are a Southerner or not. It is also quite easy to use. As an avid recipe reader, I can always find something here that I have not tried before. It has a "fish guide" in the back that let's you know what types of fish you can substitute in recipes - very helpful! It also gives a new twist on some traditionally great recipes in a style that invites the reader to open up his/her home to guests with ease.

I have tried many recipes in this book and haven't prepared one yet that wasn't delicious. The Tomato Tart, stuffed filet of beef, honey cashew greenbeens...the list goes on! YUMMMMM

I must own over 20 cookbooks and I always come back to this one. Every recipe from this book comes out great! I've given this book to 7 of my friends for Christmas only to find out that they already had one! My favorites include "Tomatoe Tart", "Grilled Asparagus", "Mustard Pork Tenderloin", "Champagne Shrimp", "Walnut Salad", etc... could go on and on. This is a must! Not only has great recipes but the paper and pictures are of the highest quality.