Frontier League Books

Mike Shannon does a great job of getting behind the scenes of the life of an umpire in the independent Frontier League. As a resident of a town that had a team in the FL for 8 years (1995-2002), it was an especially interesting read. What really surprised me was that the featured subject, umpire Max McLeary, was born and raised here in Johnstown. A fine book for those who love the minor leagues!

This book was a great read. I think Shannon could descibe a turd and it would be exciting. He has a very unique style of writing that made me want to read the next page and the next and the next......

I think it was a good idea to tell about the Frontier League using Max the umpire to spice it up. I really have a good feel for the Frontier League and I can't wait to start my FL summer tour.

This book is for anyone one who is a true fan of baseball.

Someone once wrote that major league baseball is a business, but minor league baseball is still a game. For those of us who love baseball, but have soured on major league baseball, Mike Shannon's book hits it on the nose. His romp through the Frontier League is an entertaining and informative narrative on the players and people involved in the lower minor leagues. They truly love the game of baseball and you will love this book!

I loved this book because I love the game of baseball. This book captures the essence of the low minors and the people and personalities and places and ballparks that make the minors such an appealing place to watch the game. I am already planning a summer roadtrip to Chillicothe and Richmond and the rest of the Frontier League. Great read!

I work as an umpire in the Frontier League and work with Max McLeary and Jim Schaly. As you can see Max is a very complicated guy. This league is his life, not only during the season, but year round. When his umpiring days are over he would like to work within the league in some capacity. The stories in this book are true. Last year Max and I worked a series in Evansville, Indiana and before the game I found a white cane with a red tip (a blind persons cane) sitting in the locker room. Max decided that it would be funny to put on some dark sun glasses, turn his cap backwards and come out to ground rules using the cane. The place went nuts!

Last but not least, Mike writes a great book but there is one error that I must correct. Max's eye is plastic and if you're ever on the road with him make sure you don't get up in the middle of the night and drink from the water cup by the sink. That's the one with his eye in it.