How Baseball Works (How Sports Work) [Paperback]

Keltie Thomas (Author), Greg Hall (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up | Series: How Sports Work

From grand slams to sacrifice bunts, from the legends of the game to its hottest young stars, from the composition of the infield dirt to what puts the curve in a curveball, How Baseball Works delves into all aspects of America's favorite game. Its engaging, science-based approach gives fans young and old the inside skinny on how to throw a strike, find the sweet spot on a bat, read a home run pitch, decode stats, run the bases and chase down flies, choose the best bat, ball, and glove, and much more. The fun-filled, fast-paced text is enhanced by features such as “Quick Hit” factoids, “Star” baseball cards with stories of the game’s great players, "Try This!" tips and activities that help youngsters improve their game, and exciting photos of players past and present. “Rules and Regs” and “Baseball Talk” sections introduce the game’s sometimes arcane rules and always colorful lingo.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6–This attractive volume is filled with snippets of facts and trivia. Thomas starts with a description of the ball: what it's made of, how it's used in the major leagues, and how it has changed through the years. This is followed by a fascinating discussion of the "sneaky science of doctoring the ball," which includes recipes for "Gourmet Pitches," such as spitballs, scuffballs, and mud balls. Ensuing chapters serve up an introduction to various facets of the game: equipment, training, hitting, pitching, keeping statistics, and major-league ballparks. Four simple experiments are presented, and each section includes a brief anecdote about one of baseball's great players. One memorably gross yet hilarious example involves spitball pitcher "Big Ed" Walsh and legendary manager, Connie Mack. This book provides a fun overview of the game and the eye-catching graphics and color photographs add much to its appeal. Lawrence Ritter's The Story of Baseball (Morrow, 1999) and Dan Gutman's The Way Baseball Works (S & S, 1996) provide more comprehensive treatments of the topic for both hardcore fans and novices.–Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Gr. 3-6. A lively and colorful overview with a scientific bent (and perhaps a few too many exclamation points). The book has all kinds of information: how the game is played, historical vignettes, sidebars, tips, and legendary stories. its about famous players such as Ichiro, Barry Bonds, and Ozzie Smith line up against should-be-well-known women, such as Jackie Mitchell and Molly McKesson. Tales of the Anaheim Rally Monkey and the catcher's new hockey-style mask play against sections on stats, ball delivery, and base running. Thomas also provides nifty experiments to try--among them, testing what would happen in play if you freeze or bake a baseball. The sprightly design work--bright colors, cartoons mixed with photos--adds immediacy and excitement. Thomas has it right: "You don't have to be a baseball fanatic to read this book." GraceAnne DeCandido
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Maple Tree Press (January 22, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1897349211
• ISBN-13: 978-1897349212
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 10 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,342,882 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)