How Baseball Works (How Sports Work) - Hardcover

Thomas, Keltie

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1897349203 ISBN 13: 9781897349205

Publisher: Owlkids, 2008

Synopsis

From grand slams to sacrifice bunts, from the legends of the game to its hottest young stars, from the composition of the infield dirt to what puts the curve in a curveball, How Baseball Works delves into all aspects of America's favorite game. Its engaging, science-based approach gives fans young and old the inside skinny on how to throw a strike, find the sweet spot on a bat, read a home run pitch, decode stats, run the bases and chase down flies, choose the best bat, ball, and glove, and much more. The fun-filled, fast-paced text is enhanced by features such as Quick Hit” factoids, Star” baseball cards with stories of the game’s great players, "Try This!" tips and activities that help youngsters improve their game, and exciting photos of players past and present. Rules and Regs” and Baseball Talk” sections introduce the game’s sometimes arcane rules and always colorful lingo.

About this title

About the Author

KELTIE THOMAS is a passionate sports fan and award-winning children’s science writer and editor. She is a former editor of OWL Magazine, and is the author of popular sports books such as How Baseball Works; Blades, Boards & scooters; and Inside Hockey! She lives in Toronto.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

How Does Baseball Work? Fans, players, and inquiring minds everywhere want to know!

What makes baseball such a great game? Why is the ball so flighty? What makes bats perform so smashingly? Do pitchers really have the edge over batters? What are the tools of ignorance, and why is baseball such a mind game? Just how do players' stats add up? What makes major-league grass greener? Does a curve ball really curve? How do pitchers get a grip...on the ball? How do hitters swing with such zing? How do pitchers and hitters work the count to psych each other out? And what exactly is the count, anyway?

Well, just like everything else on earth, it all comes down to science (plus a few things science hasn't managed to explain yet!). And if you think that makes baseball sound boring, you'd better check what planet you're on. But, hey, why don't you turn the page and check out the world of baseball in action for yourself. It doesn't matter whether you play baseball, softball, T-ball, or even none at all. If you want answers to those burning questions, tips on becoming a better player, the scoop on inside information, or just to have a blast with the game, this book's for you.

Legends of the Game: The Year of the Bat

Crack! The tell-tale sound of a home run repeated over and over throughout 1998. Sluggers Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire were smacking, whacking, and racking up long balls in the most explosive home-run race major-league baseball has ever seen.

At first there wasn't much of a race at all. McGwire had 29 homers at the end of May, while Sosa had just 13. But then Slammin' Sammy began closing in on Big Mac in a big way. He blasted 21 home runs in 30 days on a record-setting hitting streak. Soon the two sluggers where neck and neck, chasing Roger Maris's 37-year-old record of 61 home runs in a single season. Then, in the middle of August, Sammy belted out his 48th round-trip-per, moving ahead of Big Mac for the first time. But not for long. Later that day, Big Mac hit two homers.

In September, in a game the sluggers played against each other, Big Mac smashed the record. Slammin' Sammy hugged Mark in celebration and Big Mac lifted him off his feet. But the race between them kept on. By the end of the season, Slammin' Sammy hit 66 home runs, and Big Mac sped past him, cranking out a record-setting 70. And fans everywhere were left wondering, "Just how do they do that?"

About this edition

• Publisher: Owlkids
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 1897349203
• ISBN 13: 9781897349205
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 64
• Illustrator: Hall Greg