Spitters, Beanballs and the Incredible Shrinking Strike Zone: The Stories Behind the Rules of Baseball (Paperback)

by Glen Waggoner (Author), Kathleen Moloney (Author), Hugh Howard (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Baseball is back! If you've ever wondered about spitballs, pine tar, or the size of the diamond - if you've ever wanted to know the fascinating stories behind the rules - then Spitters, Beanballs, and the Incredible Shrinking Strike Zone has all the answers.

The authors take us on a unique trip 'round the bases, explaining the development of the existing rules and pulling in plenty of fascinating history, lore, and trivia on the way to home plate. For example, did you know that there are no weight requirements for bats? Anecdotes feature legendary figures and events such as:

YOGI BERRA, who threw himself out at first while playing in the minors, in order to win a bet for a steak dinner.

FRED "Bonehead" MERKLE, who famously cost the New York Giants the pennant when he failed to tag a base.

ALBERT BELLE and the famous corked bat controversy.

Mets manager BOBBY VALENTINE, who appeared in disguise after having been ejected by umpires.

GEORGE BRETT and the infamous pine tar incident.

Spitters, Beanballs, and the Incredible Shrinking Strike Zone goes rule by rule and illustrates it's stories with archival photographs from the Hall of Fame, and modern photos of such heroes as Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, Ken Griffey Jr., and Randy Johnson.

Book size is 6" x 9", with B&W photographs throughout book.

About the Author
GLEN WAGGONER is the senior editor for baseball at ESPN The Magazine and one of the founding father of Rotisserie League Baseball. New York freelance writer KATHLEEN MOLONEY has written many books, including Policewoman One, and It's Nobody's Fault. HUGH HOWARD is the author of The Preservationist's Progress, the forthcoming Wright for Wright, and numerous other books.

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Triumph Books; Rev Sub edition (March 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572433779
• ISBN-13: 978-1572433779
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,117,713 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent history of the rules of the game, March 26, 2000

By	Wayne Steinhardt (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is a "must-have" for anyone who loves the game. It not only explains the rules in detail, it often gives the history of the rules as well.

The authors clearly did their research in the writing of this book. It is full of baseball anecdotes that are both informative and educational about the history of our national pastime.

A truly enjoyable book. I highly recommend it.

5.0 out of 5 stars More Then just rules, October 30, 2004

By	mike studer (pensacola, fl) - See all my reviews

Ever wonder how each rule got to be in existence? Glenn Waggoner explains that and more in this book. Glenn Waggoner states why baseball rules came to be and how they make this the greatest game there is. He also gives examples of stuff occuring for some of the more unique rules. I would say any baseball fan needs to have this book in their library.