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

William Geist (Author), Bill Geist (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Journalist Bill Geist, who is familiar to viewers of the CBS Evening News, used to be a Little League coach in New Jersey. And he somehow lived to tell about it. When first published in 1992, Little League Confidential assumed cult status as a baseball classic, though some just considered it one very funny book. Geist reveals the ups and downs (well, mostly downs) of coaching a team sponsored by a local beauty salon. His portraits of players and parents and his thoughts on competition in small town New Jersey are heartfelt and hilarious. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

This Little League coach's account of his woes, travails and soul storms in the course of one season is side-splitting. Geist, a CBS News correspondent, lives in Ridgewood, N.J., where he has shepherded preadolescents on the diamond for nine years and, to his amazement, has survived. He describes the draft system for securing players and a shrewd angle-worker who rigged the system. He analyzes the four major types of coaches: "It's only a game, so let's just have fun" (the nerd, according to the kids); "Win or I'll kill you" (the asshole, according to the kids); "We're here to build character, to learn life's lessons" (the despicable preacher, according to Geist); "I pick the kids with the best-looking mothers" (attribution superfluous). He writes of the games, with pitchers flinging balls three feet over the batters' heads, outfielders aiming for third base but throwing to first and a few tyros who are actually good. For anyone in need of a good laugh. First serial to Parents magazine; Literary Guild featured alternate.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Dell (February 9, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440508770
• ISBN-13: 978-0440508779
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #380,763 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars could this be true?, February 3, 2008

By	Michael R. Chernick "statman31147" (Holland PA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Little League Confidential: One Coach's Completely Unauthorized Tale of Survival (Hardcover)

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.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The REAL Behind the Scenes of Little League Baseball, September 25, 2001

By	Timothy M. Whitman (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Little League Confidential: One Coach's Completely Unauthorized Tale of Survival (Paperback)

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!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I am Mean Gene Huffman, January 30, 2006

By	David C. Huffman (Fairfax, VA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Little League Confidential (Mass Market Paperback)

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.