How to Watch Baseball

A guide to the enjoyment of baseball games includes discussions of pitching, hitting, defense, base stealing, and the job of the manager

This study of the fine points of baseball is too detailed to interest most fans; its chief readership will likely be players and sports reporters. Fiffer, who writes for several sports magazines, examines the roles of managers, coaches and players at all the positions. But the matters dealt with heresuch as whether a coach's touch of his cap is a signal or a prelude to a signal, whether it is possible for someone (even a batter) to tell whether a pitch is a curve or a slider or a change-up, whether the mound in the bullpen is higher or lower than the mound on the fieldare too technical to interest the average viewer in the stands. Illustrations not seen by PW.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

"Baseball . . . is a complicated game to play, but not hard to understand if you know what to watch for." Fiffer, who writes for Sports Illustrated and Sport magazines, explains what to "watch for" in chapters devoted to pitching, hitting, defensive strategy, base stealing, the role of the manager, and on-field communication. The reader will learn why a batter is unlikely to bunt the ball with a count of one and two, what a change up is, and what the role of the third base coach is. Dick Howser, Ken Harrelson, Carlton Fisk, etc., contribute their expertise to this unique inside look at the mechanics of the game suitable for the novice and knowledgeable baseball fan alike. (Illustrations not seen.) Jo DeLapo, Queens Borough P.L, New York
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.