Life Lessons from Little League [Paperback]

Vincent Fortanasce (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1995

A book that makes you laugh and cry at yourself.

Coachs are you faced with parents and other coaches that are out of control?

Mom's are you frustrated at your coaches and having problems with your husband and how he treats your child?

Dad's do you wonder why your child won't listen or seems not to be as talented as other kids?

Life Lessons from Little League takes a candid look at why parents and coaches with good intentions do such harm. This book tells you the why and how to correct the above problems and makes Little League a success dispite your child's talent or lack of it.

Editorial Reviews

Review

For managers and coaches, Life Lessons is mandatory reading. For parents, it's a mirror that reflects to all what Little League and baseball are all about--courage, character and family values. -- Orel Hershiser, Cy Young Award-winner, Los Angeles Dodgers

Required reading, no matter the sport. Dr. Fortanasce's book brims with the joy of childhood and the wisdom of experience. His book is better than a no-hitter, it's a perfect game plan for parents and coaches. -- Tom Seaver, Three-time Cy Young Award-winner, New York Mets.

From the Publisher

Officially endorsed by the Little League Association, with a foreword from Orel Hershiser, Life Lessons From Little League --is an all-star guidefor Little Leqque parents and coaches who want to teach their children to become not only good players, but also good sports. The new cleats are purchased, the glove is perfectly broken in--you and your kid are all set for Little League, right? Well, maybe. What happens when he strikes out eight times in a row? What if the coach never plays her? Dr. Vince Fortanasce, a neurologist and psychiatrist, as well as a veteran Little League Coach, has lived through all of these experiences and more, and here provides good-natured, sound advice for parents, coaches, and Little Leaguers so that they can all enjoy the season. Life Lessons From Little League is for the 2.5 million children and their parents who flock to the fields as soon as winter's thaw is over. For the coaches, Fortanasce draws on his twelve years of coaching experience and offers constructive tips on building a team's strengths and potential. For the parents, Fortanasce draws on his background as a family doctor and psychiatrist and provides useful information on what they can physically expect from their six- or eight-year-old, and how to keep his spirits up when he lets (another!) grounder slide right through his legs. For all, Fortanasce's seasoned wisdom and wonderful vignettes make us realize that Little League is, in a sense, another classroom where children learn the valuable lessons of right and wrong, perseverance and the honored tradition of sportsmanship. Life Lessons From Little League is destined for the hall of fame.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 202 pages
• Publisher: Image; 1st edition (March 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385475918
• ISBN-13: 978-0385475914
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #285,714 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #51 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Coaching > Baseball

More About the Author

Vincent Fortanasce, DPT, is ranked as one of the best medical specialists in North America and has treated such high-profile individuals as Pope John Paul II and Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Tommy Lasorda. Over nearly four decades, Dr. Fortanasce has helped thousands of people as a world-renowned neurologist and rehabilitation specialist. He has appeared as a medical expert on 60 Minutes, The Today Show, Dr. Phil, Dateline, CNN's Paula Zahn Now, Hard Ball with Chris Mathews, XM satellite radio, and scores of national and local television and radio shows. Fortanasce is a regular spokesperson for the California Medical Association at the senate and legislature assemblies and has been quoted in the New York Times, Sports Illustrated, USA Today, U.S. News & World Report, Time magazine, and many other prestigious publications. He also hosts his own syndicated radio program, St. Joseph's Radio Presents.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This One is a Classic, January 29, 2005

By 

S. Regis (Glendora, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Life Lessons from Little League (Paperback)

I've read lots of books about coaching at all levels of baseball, but this is one book that I couldn't put down. It doesn't have any drills, but it does have great suggestions for selecting teams. More importantly, it tries to teach coaches and parents to be more mature and to think about the real lessons that we're teaching the kids on our teams (and that they can teach us).

If you coach a youth team in any sport you owe it to yourself and to your team to buy this book and read it.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Life Lessons from Little League, September 25, 2001

By 

Paul Cox (Frankfort, IN United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Life Lessons from Little League (Paperback)

I first purchased this book from the Al and Al Little League clinic. The author gives proceeds to help fund Little League clinics where money is in short supply. I figure, good cause, what the heck. It was like finding a a hidden treasure at a yard sale. Got half way through it and loaned it to our high school varsity football coach, who also coaches 7 and 8 year olds. He was equally impressed. He says it has even influenced how he relates to his high school football players. He gave a 5 minute commercial at our coaches meeting. Every coach left with a copy. I think it will turn out to be one of the best investments our league has ever made.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It sounds trite, but this is a must for coaches and parents., June 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Life Lessons from Little League (Paperback)

Baseball is a game. Too many parents and coaches forget this, but kids don't, unless someone - usually a grown-up - makes them think otherwise. I'm glad Mr. Fortanese shared his wisdom and his experience. There's not a single drill, no baseball playing tips, but this is easily the most important book I've read on coaching - and understanding - kids and baseball. I'm very disappointed it's not in print anymore, because I wanted to give it out as coaches' gifts. PLEASE reprint this, and thank you Mr. Fortanese!