Sports Softball

Eleven-year-old Tommy has dreamed of being on the Bulldogs sports team forever. The Bulldogs eat, breathe, and fart sports. They’re part of the elusive Super Sports Society in his hometown, and Tommy knows that if he makes the team, he’ll be set up for life. Meanwhile, Pel would rather be at home gaming in the air conditioning, but his mom decided that he has to “be a role model” to his little siblings (ugh!), and now he’s trying out for the Bulldogs too. At least that means the two BFFs won’t be in competition for the spot . . . right? (Wrong.)

A wild bull on the field, a fly ball caught by a train conductor, a pitcher taking the mound barefoot—Minor League Baseball has been played across the country in cities large and small for more than a century, and there are thousands of entertaining and improbable stories to tell from it.

Roberto Clemente always loved baseball. Growing up in Carolina, Puerto Rico, he swung tree branches (since he didn’t have a bat) and hit tin cans. He was always batting, pitching, running, sliding. His dedication paid off when, at the age of 19, he was tapped for a major league team. First stop: chilly Montreal . . . where he warmed the bench and himself, longing to play baseball. Months later, he finally got his chance with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

野村克也・長嶋茂雄・落合博満・桑田真澄・イチロー・大谷翔平……

Shohei Ohtani, also known as "Shotime," is widely known for his skills in both pitching and hitting. At the 2016 Japan Series, Ohtani led his team, the Fighters, to victory. He later signed to the Los Angeles Angels in 2017 and earned the title of American League Rookie of the Year in 2018. In 2021, Ohtani made Major League Baseball history with over ten homeruns, over twenty stolen bases, and over one hundred strikeouts. That same year, at only age twenty-seven, he was given the American League Most Valuable Player Award.

Batavia, New York—between Rochester and Buffalo—hosted its first professional baseball game in 1897. Despite decades of deindustrialization and evaporating middle-class jobs, the Batavia Muckdogs endured. When Major League Baseball cravenly shut them down in 2020—along with forty-one other minor league teams—the town fought back, reviving the Muckdogs as a summer league team comprised of college players.

Willie Mays, a name synonymous with excellence, grace, and enduring greatness in baseball, has etched his story into the annals of American sports history. His journey from a young boy with a dream in Alabama to a baseball icon is not just a tale of athletic prowess but also a profound narrative of resilience, talent, and cultural impact.

The Gas and Flame Men explores how these famous baseball men, along with an eclectic mix of polo players, collegiate baseball and football stars, professors, architects, and prominent social figures all came together in the Chemical Warfare Service. Jim Leeke examines their service and its long-term effects on their physical and mental health-and on Major League Baseball and the world of sports.

The stories of thirteen Black Minor League baseball players during the post-Jackie Robinson era, from the 1960s to the mid-1970s, who were figuratively and literally left behind even as both baseball and the country claimed a newfound racial progressiveness.

Are you looking to share your love for baseball and its inspiring history with your children, infused with important life lessons about teamwork and perseverance? "Baseball Dynasties: Crafting the Game’s Legacy" is a must-add to your family's collection. Dive into the stories of the sport's most iconic teams, from the Yankees to the Red Sox, uncovering what elevates a team to legendary status. This book doesn't just recount wins and losses; it delves into the essence of true teamwork, the traditions that bind, and the collective drive towards greatness.

Experience the ultimate in baseball storytelling with "The Ultimate Baseball Series: 4-in-1 Collection on Legends, Dynasties, and Cards." This anthology brings together the beloved "Inspirational Stories for Kids" series, guiding young listeners through the heart and soul of America's favorite pastime.

Baseball Cards: A Journey Through Americas Pastime weaves the joy of collecting with the rich history of baseball. It invites you to explore the hobby's unique stories, from card designs and rarities to the personalities behind them.

This every-day baseball trivia book for 2024 is targeted for baseball fanatics of all ages who enjoy a daily trivia question about hardball. It contains one trivia question for each of the 366-days of the leap year, with answers following. The emphasis is entertainment and accuracy (each question and statement has been fact checked multiple times). Some baseball trivia fans have complained about getting just one trivia question for weekends, annoying for real fans.

"Baseball Fundamentals: A Beginner's Guide to Mastering Baseball" is an essential listen for anyone looking to dive into the world of baseball, whether you're a complete novice or a budding player. This comprehensive guide covers every aspect of the game, from the basic rules and equipment to advanced techniques for those ready to take their skills to the next level.

Jenny, like any good pitcher, knows when to throw at a batter. When to throw a fastball. And when to drop and cover. Like now. Especially as big, meaty Lacey glares at her. Hands the size of bear paws, and the entire softball team saying in pretty clear words: Go. Home. The short story that inspired the novel Swing Away. A story of friendship, finding your own place, and just maybe, a date to the prom.

If you're a parent who cherishes family time and the joy of watching your child light up with every minute of an educational yet thrilling story, then you'll find a home run in "Batter's Journey: Swing for the Fences." Are you looking for a way to combine your love for teaching and your passion for nurturing your children’s growth through powerful stories? Have you been searching for that perfect blend of entertainment and life lessons to share with your children during those precious reading hours?

"Dad, Am I Ready for College Baseball?" is the essential guide for aspiring collegiate baseball players and their parents, packed with strategic insights to gain a competitive edge in the ever-evolving recruitment landscape. This book is your comprehensive playbook, which includes crucial do's and don'ts, helping you navigate through the complexities of NCAA's recent recruiting changes in 2023 with ease and confidence.

No origin story of the New York Mets is complete without Ed Kranepool. The lefty first baseman known as "Steady Eddie" made his major-league debut at age seventeen during the team's inaugural season and would eventually depart, nearly two decades later, with his name written throughout the franchise's record books. In this definitive autobiography, Kranepool shares a remarkable life story.

Before 1918, the Boston Red Sox were unstoppable. They won World Series after World Series, thanks in part to their charismatic pitcher-slugger Babe Ruth. But some people on the Red Sox felt the Babe was more trouble than he was worth, and he was traded away to one of the worst teams in baseball, the New York Yankees. From then on, the Yankees became a golden team. And the Red Sox? For more than 80 years, they just couldn’t win another World Series. Then, in 2004, along came a scruffy, scrappy Red Sox team. Could they break Babe Ruth’s curse and win it all?

In The Things He Could Have Been, W. Nikola-Lisa pulls back the curtain on Babe Ruth’s off-the-field shenanigans, offering the listener a humorous, yet highly informative, portrayal of the Yankee slugger. Ruth was multi-talented and, it's not really hard to imagine, could have been many things - a professional golfer, a heavyweight boxer, a movie star, a football player, just to name a few of his interests.