Customer Reviews

Little League Confidential: One Coach's Completely Unauthorized Tale of Survival

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The humorist columnist Bill Geist had many years of experience coaching his son's little league baseball and kids basketball and his daughter's softball team. He relates his experiences with his usual wit, sarcasm and humor. The book focuses on a particular season of little league baseball where he was able to work with his son Willie's team and actually win the league championship by upsetting Knavery's team in the final game of the season. The tale tells how he bends the rules (though not as much as some other) in a way that still allows the weak players to have fun and yet stay competitive. There is a large degree of truth to the various caricatures of players, coaches and parents that he presents in this tale. But some of the stories are so incredible and it seems like fiction is mixed with reality but clearly it is based on real experience. I relate to many of the issues he brings out. ...
In the epologue Geist confesses that he want his son Willie to be a star player but was satisfied that he made the high school varisty teams. In the end no matter how good or bad they are in little league they all eventually stop playing to do other things that interest them more or they find to have more success and rewards.

To illustrate the humor in the final game losing 12-4 Geist gives the kids sugar treats to pick up their energy. A rally starts but thinking ahead with the worst hitter Monique likely to come up with two outs, Geist gets a 40 ounce drink and gets her to leave on a bathroom break. ... This book has short easy to read chapters and integrates Geist's softball and basketball experiences in the theme of the little league season whereas Dunow had long chapters going back and forth from little league with his son to his childhood experiences with his father. Both books are good in their own way. But this one is much easier to read and more light hearted.

A very entertaining read, but for those in the know -- Geist captures real life in Little League Baseball. Having grown up regarded as a Little League superstar, I was exposed to much of what Geist refers to as how parents act in a variety of settings at the ball fields and beyond. However, having continued my Little League "career" as a coach, I witnessed some of the funniest and sometimes disturbing actions and reactions of parents of the kids on my team.

Geist puts on paper what nearly every Little League coach experiences. For anyone who has ever played in Little League baseball or other youth sports, or for those whose children have been involved in community athletics, this real look behind the scenes is a must read. Unless you are one of those parents who utilize the youth athletic system as a baby sitting service, you'll fully appreciate what goes on behind the scenes and you might even learn a little about your own behavior.

Take a step into the hillarious psychological and political game of Little League Baseball and meet the entire cast that helps mold the future of America's Favorite Pastime!

This is a must read for every Little League coach. The author wrote "City Slickers" (the movie starring Billy Crystal). If you coach Little League, you will laugh till you cry. And, you will recognize some of the same characters represented in the book at your Little League park.

If you are involved with Little League, you will see many true moments in this book. Your perpspecitve may be any of player, parent, coach, umpire, spectator. It is quite humorous and will have you both laughing and shaking your head.

Especially good for new coaches. You may have heard that Little League is "very political". It is. The author highlights many ways that it is and also gives very good pointers on how you can get "advantages" in this "non-competitive" environment.

Highly recommended.

I do a ton of reading and just went back and re-read this book. This is probably my favorite all-time book. This book has to be the funniest one I've ever read. Geist is not only a gifted writer, he tweaks all the right people and no irony goes unnoticed.

Anyone involved in coaching kids will relate to this often hilariious book. Great perspective on the entire subculture of youth baseball which is becoming oh so serious. Characters encountered by Geist represent universal types inhabiting little league fields and stands across the country.

An easy to read, humorous, yet thought provoking look at parents and kids in little league baseball. Covering everything from equipment to tempers to the emotions involved when the kids hang up the cleats. It is an absolute must read for anyone with kids in sports.

At least, I'm half of Mean Gene Huffman. Gene Ret and I were conglomerated into one large, gawky intimidating Little Leaguer. Who was the more large, gawky, and intimidating is one of the great debates of our time.

Great story. I never knew my drunken high school antics were witnessed by Bill Geist until I got to the end of the book. Geist saw me crash through his bushes and play some sloppy basketball with his son and friends for a few minutes while reminiscing about the old Little League days. And, he parlayed my mishap into a convenient parable on lost youth to wrap up his story.

Well, he's just lucky they were playing basketball that night and I wasn't trying to unload my ferocious fastball or swing a bat. Stay young, eat flax, and long live the glory days of Little League.

I've been coaching Little League for five years now, and loved reading this account of Little League from about 20 years ago. The stereotypical depictions of coaches that Geist uses are still dead-on accurate, as are his descriptions of how bad the catching equipment is, and how to hide a bad ballplayer that you have to play in the infield. This is a priceless look at Little League ball that anyone who has ever coached should enjoy.

There are lots of laughs to be had, and you'll find yourself sharing parts with other coaches you know.

Anybody who has ever coached or played little league baseball is guaranteed to get a good laugh from this book. I love the kind of books that go under cover and tell what things are "really" like out there (especially with a twist) and this one is exceptionally well done. Little League Confidential is written with a very dry sense of humor that brings the story of a little league baseball coach to life. Particularly brilliant are the author's accounts of dealing with parents who complain about their child's playing time and position in the field as well as the behind-the-scenes draft meetings! Why does that kid with average skills and interest always get picked first anyway?! Any idea? hmmm...

All in all - an excellent and timeless summer read!