Baseball for Dummies

"This book has something for everybody, from longtime fans to Little Leaguers." -New York Newsday

It's known as America's National Pastime. It's nicknamed "The Greatest Game Ever Invented." No question about it: baseball is a way of life for millions, whether they're watching from the bleachers or sluggers in their own right. After more than...
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"This book has something for everybody, from longtime fans to Little Leaguers."
-New York Newsday

It's known as America's National Pastime. It's nicknamed "The Greatest Game Ever Invented." No question about it: baseball is a way of life for millions, whether they're watching from the bleachers or sluggers in their own right. After more than 150 years as an all-American sport, baseball lingo is even part of our everyday language. With all its history and influence, baseball is a phenomenon we should at least be able to yak about at the water cooler-even if we never set foot on the diamond.

Whether you don't know the difference between a shortstop and a backstop, dabble in a bit of fantasy baseball, or need to perfect your split-fingered fastball, the second edition of this classic guide shows you the ropes. Ever wondered how great outfielders get a good jump on an incoming ball? Why the bases are 90 feet apart? Baseball For Dummies has answers to those questions, along with loads of All-Star tips on:

• Rules of the game
• Improving your hitting, pitching, and fielding
• Finding a team to play on, from Little League on up
• Coaching and umpiring effectively
• Getting more out of a trip to the ballpark than hotdogs and ice cream
• Evaluating stats, players, and records

Baseball Hall-of-Famer Joe Morgan-who played with the Cincinnati Reds in two World Series championships-teams up here with sportswriter Richard Lally to coach you through everything from keeping a scorecard to hitting like a Major Leaguer. In their down-to-earth style, they cover all the bases, including:

• Getting in shape, from warm-ups to free weights
• Playing the field: batting, baserunning, pitching, and defense from catcher to shortstop
• Landing the best seats in the park
• Baseball online, on the air, and on the newsstand
• How to play fantasy baseball
• How to snag off-the-field baseball jobs
• All-time and current Top Ten players, pitchers, fielders, and more
• A glossary of "baseball speak"

You'll get a baseline knowledge-and find out details and trivia even the most die-hard fans don't know. If you're looking to walk the walk, or just be able to talk the talk, step up to the plate: Baseball For Dummies delivers the goods.