Baseball for Dummies

Amazon.com
Baseball is another solid hit in the popular Dummies series. With its chatty style, snappy graphics, and enjoyably informative top-10 lists, the book sticks to the Dummies format better than most pitchers follow their catchers' signs, a plus to be sure. The real plus, though, resides in the deftness of Joe Morgan's voice. The former Hall of Fame second baseman-turned television analyst has proven himself a natural communicator in the booth; he comes across just as comfortable, informative, and thorough in print. His enthusiasm spills over, but not at the expense of his broad knowledge. Morgan, naturally, covers the bases--hitting, pitching, fielding, running, coaching--with plenty of whys teamed up with the requisite how-tos. For added expertise he calls on fellow pros such as Hall of Famer Bob Gibson and MVP third-baseman Ken Caminiti. Deceptively sophisticated, Baseball for Dummies is a marvelously good-natured introduction to the game, but it also hurls enough insight to hook baseball's more advanced students.


Book Description
“Joe Morgan again shows himself a rare bird: an ex-jock with savvy and the ability to communicate it.”
—People

“This book has something for everybody, from longtime fans to Little Leaguers.”
—New York Newsday

Baseball For Dummies, Third Edition, is for baseball fans at all levels, from players and coaches to spectators who love the game. Baseball Hall of Fame player and ESPN baseball analyst Joe Morgan explains baseball with remarkable insight, using down-to-earth language so everyone from the casual observer to the die-hard fan can gain a fuller appreciation of the sport. This updated edition features: Everything you need to know about the game, from what it takes to play each position and how to hit and run the bases to what to watch for in the game and how to appreciate the finer points of the sport Coverage of new star players, new stadiums, and game milestones The lowdown on today’s baseball Web resources The latest on stats and sabermetrics The inside story on the new steroid rules

From how to throw a knuckleball or hit an inside pitch to how to keep a scorecard or pick a winning fantasy league team, Morgan covers all the bases, showing you how to get the most out of the game. You’ll see how to: Improve your hitting, pitching, and fielding Find a team to play on, from Little League on up Evaluate stats, players, and records Coach or umpire effectively Get more out of a trip to the ballpark

Complete with Morgan’s personal lists of top-ten pitchers, fielders, and relievers, as well as new quotes from Derek Jeter and Keith Hernandez, Baseball For Dummies gives you all the inside tips, facts, and stats so you can play like a Major Leaguer!


From the Back Cover
Covers new star players, new stadiums, and game milestones

Get all the inside tips, stats, and facts and play like a Major Leaguer

Let Joe Morgan take you out to the ballpark in this update of his classic guide to the National Pastime. From how to throw a knuckleball or hit an inside pitch to how to keep a scorecard or pick a winning fantasy league team, he covers all the bases — and shows you how to get the most out of the game.

Discover how to Improve your hitting, pitching, and fielding Find a team to play on, from Little League on up Evaluate stats, players, and records Coach or umpire effectively Get more out of a trip to the ballpark

Praise for Joe Morgan and Baseball For Dummies®

"Joe Morgan again shows himself a rare bird: an ex-jock with savvy and the ability to communicate it." — People

"This book is a grand slam." — Pete Rose

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


About the Author
Joe Morgan played on two Cincinnati Reds World Series championship teams; he is now a baseball analyst for ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball.

FROM OUR EDITORS

Cooperstown alumnus and star analyst Joe Morgan shows how the game is played in Baseball for Dummies. The basics of pitching, hitting, fielding, and baserunning are covered, along with diagrams of appropriate player movements in different situations. Baseball for Dummies is a particularly useful guide for young players, baseball coaches, and fans who want to enhance their understanding of the game.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Don't let the game throw you a curve!

One of baseball's greatest players takes you out to the ballpark and onto the field with clear explanations and illustrations, and grand-slam advice for getting the most out of this favorite international pastime. From pitching and hitting to the bull pen and batter's box, Baseball For Dummies has all the bases covered.

Before the peanuts and Cracker Jack... Become stat savvy -- calculate batting and pitching performance Decipher all of the baseball jargon used on and off the field Asssemble a killer fantasy team with tips for picking the right players Stay at the top of your game with expert advice on conditioning and exercise Polish your hitting, fielding, pitching, and baserunning skills Get expert advice from star players on how to play each position Play it safe -- suit up yourself or your team with the right gear Discover the coaching do's and don'ts to keep your team motivated Tip your hat to the greatest players then and now -- from Babe Ruth to Barry Bonds

SYNOPSIS

There are no curve balls in this grand slam book about baseball, America's greatest national pastime, as Cooperstown Hall of Famer and TV sportscaster Joe Morgan guides you through the hits and misses of the game for fans of all ages.

Baseball For Dummies takes a complete behind-the-plate look at all the rules, positions, plays, strategies, stats, and players of the game. The book also features tons of practical advice on training, pitching, hitting, baserunning, and stealing, plus inside tips on everything from coaching to calculating baseball statistics for your favorite players and hometown teams. And if getting out on the field isn't part of your game plan, the book has helpful hints for watching baseball -- from the stands, in your living room, or on the Internet -- making sense of all that colorful chatter (plus super hints for winning big with fantasy baseball).