HomeNew ItemsWatching Baseball Smarter: A Professional Fan's Guide for Beginners, Semi-experts, and Deeply Serious Geeks |
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| | Customer Reviews: | | | Average Customer Review: ( 77 customer reviews )
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52 of 53 found the following review helpful:
Good for beginners--but not for "Deeply Serious Geeks" Aug 20, 2007
By Steven A. Peterson
The subtitle of this well crafted work: "A Professional Fan's Guide for Beginners, Semi-Experts, and Deeply Serious Geeks." For the first two categories, right on! Geeks are not going to learn a whole lot that they already do not know. That aside, though, this is a nice work.
Examples of what is in some of the chapters: Chapter 2 focuses on "Pitchers and Catchers." The first part of the chapter describes basic pitches (and how they are thrown)--fastball, curveball, slider, change-up, split-finger fastball, knuckleball, screwball, spitball (naughty, naughty!), eephus, and gyroball (does it even exist?). Each is described, with a bit of humor added here and there.
Chapter 5 explores "Fielding." There are brief descriptions of what each position has to do. As an old second baseman, I enjoyed reading about the basics of the double play and so on.
Chapter 6 examines "Stadiums" (but should this not be "Stadia," to use the proper Latin term?). One of the more enjoyable features is the description of some unique fields. Think Fenway Park or Wrigley Field. But why not talk about the cool stadium in Cleveland?
Chapter 9 takes a peek at "Random Stuff to Know." E.g., Why K for strikeout on scorecards? What about uniform numbers? The seventh inning stretch? And so on.
This book is a lot of fun. Even hard core baseball fans might enjoy it for its style, even though they may not learn a great deal that is new. For beginners and intermediate fans, though, this will be quite a pleasure!
24 of 25 found the following review helpful:
interesting and entertaining Jul 17, 2007
By Doc Dave
"Doc Dave"
I really liked this book a lot...I learned quite a bit about baseball and I enjoyed the author's sense of humor. I don't think the book quite lives up to its subtitle: ...for beginners, semi-experts, and deeply serious geeks. It probably won't be quite basic enough to totally please the absolute beginner...but still not a bad choice either. Likewise I think that most semi-experts and serious geeks are going to be looking for something more than what is offered here. Nevertheless, I'm sure there are a lot of people out there that will really enjoy and learn from this book, the way I did. I'd recommend it for people with at least a very basic knowledge of how baseball is played, who want to learn more about a truly fascinating game.
26 of 30 found the following review helpful:
 heads up baseball fans Mar 31, 2007
By michael fierman
this book is a must read for anyone interested in getting the most out of watching a baseball game. even the most knowledgeable fans will find lots of new and interesting information in this extremely thoughtful book...but not to worry, it is extemely entertaining and funny as well. in addition to the well laid out text there are references in italics linking to a prodigious glossary at the end containing every imaginable baseball term. this is a welcome addition to the literature especially as it comes right at the beginning of the new season.
9 of 9 found the following review helpful:
makes watching more interesting Jun 11, 2007
By Karen J
"karenj1995"
It's easy to read and entertaining. The book is well-edited - chapters are split up in such a way that makes it easy to find immediate answers during a game, yet it flows cohesively enough to make it an entertaining read on a quiet night. I like the extensive dictionary of baseball terms and phrases. It has lots of whats, but frequently also includes the whys behind things like the history of certain stats and the main reason the MLB did away with spitballs. There's lots of insider info, interesting facts and anecdotes; everything from how to read a box score to unusual attributes of ball parks. This book is loaded, and any baseball fan will enjoy it.
27 of 33 found the following review helpful:
Superb Gift and Tactical Book Without Peer Oct 07, 2007
By Robert D. Steele
I strongly disagree with the reviewer that says that there is not much here that has not been said elsewhere. While I am new to baseball, at the age of 55 vastly more familiar with soccer, football, and basketball, my youngest son loves the game, and I have spent time looking for the perfect book that can both help him see the nuances, and help me follow the game.
This book is nothing less than extraordinary. It would be a superb gift for any high school or college student who loves the game, and for any parent or grandparent new to the game. Personally I think it has a great deal of information that those who consider themselves avid fans have NOT noticed, but you can decide that better than I.
Here are some of the nuggets in this book, which is the tactical complement to the strategic companion by another author, "Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game." The two books together constitute an instant reference library from any baseball affecionado.
1) 1 in 100,000 make it to major leagues from among those who strive to get there.
2) Going to college is a superb way to perfect your skills and shorten the time to selection for minor leagues--a tiny handfull get to go straight to the majors.
3) Five tool players can field well, throw hard (and accurately), run fast, hit home runs, and hit a high batting average.
4) Any major leaguer, however "bad" they might appear on a given day, is the best of the best and has spent a lifetime getting there.
5) Awesome concise clear description of the many kinds of balls that a pitcher can throw to a batter.
6) Runner on second can see catcher's signals and signal to the hitter more often than not. I had no idea.
7) When bases are loaded, a fast ball is more likely, hit to it and improve your batting average.
8) Amazing list of all the *many* reasons a coach might walk out to talk to a pitcher.
9) Leg strength is critical for all players and helps power the ball.
10) Run bases on a CURVE for faster rounding of bases.
11) A catcher can be the team's reference librarian, a goldmine of knowledge about hitters built up over a lifetime of observation.
12) Strike zone defined by each player, not a fixed box. From the kneecaps to a line halfway between the belt and the shoulders.
13) Outstanding section on umpires, who can spend thousands on a school and endure 8-12 years in the minors on bare subsistence salaries. If they do make it to the majors, then they earn a six-figure salary.
14) Lovely section that clearly illustrates and explains all of the symbols needed to record every move in a baseball game.
15) Umpires WILL remember every slight over the years, and when borderline calls need to be made, the slights will come home to roost.
Superb glossary.
I am giving this review and the book to my 12-year old, in the hopes that he will read every word and refer back to this book many times in the years to come.
This book is a GEM. Ignore the faint praise by other reviewers.
See also the DVDs
Field of Dreams (Widescreen Two-Disc Anniversary Edition)
A League of Their OwnBaseball - A Film By Ken Burns
The Natural (Director's Cut)
For Love of the Game
Impossible to Forget: The Story of the '67 Boston Red Sox
Nine Innings From Ground Zero: The 2001 World Series
Rising Sons Return - Matsui, Ichiro and More!
American Pastime
The Pride of the Yankees (Anniversary Edition)
See all 77 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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