Reviews
"This isn't the first book to take on the challenge of explaining baseball intricacies, but I've never seen it done better. . . . When it comes to producing 'aha moments' of baseball enlightenment, the book indeed has a high batting average." - The Seattle Times "Hample calls himself an obsessed fan-obsessed in a good way-and the product of his torment is a funny and informative guide for all levels of fans." - Yankees Magazine "Engaging. . . . Hample's book is both deceptive in its simplicity (the basic rules, but also the ten different ways a pitcher can commit a balk) and surprising in its range." - Fortune, "This isn't the first book to take on the challenge of explaining baseball intricacies, but I've never seen it done better. . . . When it comes to producing 'aha moments' of baseball enlightenment, the book indeed has a high batting average." --"The Seattle Times" "Hample calls himself an obsessed fan--obsessed in a good way--and the product of his torment is a funny and informative guide for all levels of fans." --"Yankees Magazine" "Engaging. . . . Hample's book is both deceptive in its simplicity (the basic rules, but also the ten different ways a pitcher can commit a balk) and surprising in its range." --"Fortune", "This isn't the first book to take on the challenge of explaining baseball intricacies, but I've never seen it done better. . . . When it comes to producing 'aha moments' of baseball enlightenment, the book indeed has a high batting average." -The Seattle Times "Hample calls himself an obsessed fan-obsessed in a good way-and the product of his torment is a funny and informative guide for all levels of fans." -Yankees Magazine "Engaging. . . . Hample's book is both deceptive in its simplicity (the basic rules, but also the ten different ways a pitcher can commit a balk) and surprising in its range." -Fortune
Synopsis
Hample has written a fan's guide to appreciating the most popular sport in America for everyone from beginner to expert., Zack Hample's bestselling, smart, and funny fan's guide to baseball explains the ins and outs of pitching, hitting, running, and fielding, while offering insider trivia and anecdotes that will appeal to anyone-whether you're a major league couch potato, life-long season ticket-holder, or a beginner. . What is the difference between a slider and a curveball? . At which stadium did "The Wave" first make an appearance? . Which positions are neverplayed by lefties? . Why do some players urinate on their hands? Combining the narrative voice and attitude of Michael Lewis with the compulsive brilliance of Schott's Miscellany , Watching Baseball Smarter will increase your understanding and enjoyment of the sport-no matter what your level of expertise. Featuring a glossary of baseball slang, an appendix of important baseball stats, and an appendix of uniform numbers., This smart and funny fan's guide to baseball explains the ins and outs of pitching, hitting, running, and fielding, while offering insider trivia and anecdotes that will appeal to anyone--whether you're a major league couch potato, life-long season ticket-holder, or a beginner. What is the difference between a slider and a curveball? At which stadium did "The Wave" first make an appearance? How do some hitters use iPods to improve their skills? Which positions are never played by lefties? Why do some players urinate on their hands? Combining the narrative voice and attitude of Michael Lewis with the compulsive brilliance of Schott's Miscellany , Watching Baseball Smarter will increase your understanding and enjoyment of the sport-no matter what your level of expertise. Features an glossary of baseball slang, an appendix of important baseball stats, and an appendix of uniform numbers., Whether you're a major league couch potato, life-long season ticket-holder, or teaching game to a beginner, "Watching Baseball Smarter "leaves no territory uncovered. In this smart and funny fan's guide Hample explains the ins and outs of pitching, hitting, running, and fielding, while offering insider trivia and anecdotes that will surprise even the most informed viewers of our national pastime. What is the difference between a slider and a curveball? At which stadium did "The Wave" first make an appearance? How do some hitters use iPods to improve their skills? Which positions are never" "played by lefties? Why do some players urinate on their hands? Combining the narrative voice and attitude of Michael Lewis with the compulsive brilliance of "Schott's Miscellany", "Watching Baseball Smarter "will increase your understanding and enjoyment of the sport-no matter what your level of expertise. Zack Hample is an obsessed fan and a regular writer for minorleaguebaseball.com. He's collected nearly 3,000 baseballs from major league games and has appeared on dozens of TV and radio shows. His first book, "How to Snag Major League Baseballs, " was published in 1999., Zack Hample's bestselling, smart, and funny fan's guide to baseball explains the ins and outs of pitching, hitting, running, and fielding, while offering insider trivia and anecdotes that will appeal to anyone--whether you're a major league couch potato, life-long season ticket-holder, or a beginner. - What is the difference between a slider and a curveball? - At which stadium did "The Wave" first make an appearance? - Which positions are never played by lefties? - Why do some players urinate on their hands? Combining the narrative voice and attitude of Michael Lewis with the compulsive brilliance of Schott's Miscellany , Watching Baseball Smarter will increase your understanding and enjoyment of the sport--no matter what your level of expertise. Featuring a glossary of baseball slang, an appendix of important baseball stats, and an appendix of uniform numbers.
