Travel World guide

If you have ever had any doubt that baseball is a slow paced, boring sport that withers in comparison to football, basketball, and hockey, then this book is definitely for you. In it, George Will explains the simple pleasures of baseball and the tremendous perfections in which it involves. He goes into great detail of the managers roles, the pitchers roles, the batters roles, and the fielders roles, focusing mainly on Tony LaRussa, Orel Hershieser, Tony Gwynn, and Cal Ripken respectively, but often throwing in stories of other baseball greats. Will gives tremendous insite of the finer points of the game which should be appreciated by any true sports fan. He shows how baseball is not only a game of physical skill, but of tremendous mental skill, and a little bit of luck. I found this book to be amazingly interesting and insiteful. Already being a baseball fan it taught me to enjoy the game on a whole knew level, the strategic level of it and I highly recommend it to any baseball fan, or sports fan for that matter.

Football may have the hard-hitting action and basketball may have the slam-dunk feats, but baseball has character. In what other sport are the fans supposed to all stand in the middle of a game and sing a song? Furthermore, while basketball, football, hockey and soccer are all essentially different versions of the same game (pushing a puck or ball into the goal defended by the opposition), baseball has no real parallel (except maybe cricket, which is at most a minor sport in the U.S.). And, of course, unlike almost any other sport, there are no real time or point constraints to baseball; you’re always in the game until the last out.

The unique elements of baseball can be off-putting to fans of other sports, who may find the subtleties of the game to be slow or boring. But as Zack Hample illustrates in his book Watching Baseball Smarter, there is a lot more going on than is readily apparent. Designed for the casual baseball fan, Hample offers insights into the sport that may escape most people (though the more die-hard fan will know much of what he describes).

After a review of some of the basics of the game, Hample has sections dedicated to the four major components of the game: pitching (and catching); hitting, base running and fielding. He then has chapters on stadiums, umpires, statistics and “random stuff”. If you want to know the difference between a cut fastball, a four-seamer and a two-seamer, Hample provides the information in the pitching chapter. If you want to know why left-handed catchers are so rare, look in the fielding chapter.

For the avid fan, an error or two may be noted. For example, in the section on umpires, it is noted that the catcher can appeal to the first or third base umpire on a check swing; actually, he appeals to the home plate umpire, who can seek the appropriate umpires opinion. Any other errors also seem to be on such subtle issues, so it really isn’t a major issue. In general, this is a fun book for baseball fans, filled with the slang and historical perspective that gives the sport its personality. If you enjoy baseball, you should read this book.

This extraordinarily written masterpiece provides the reader with an insider look at our national pastime. Will writes with an educationally objective, yet personal style that grabs you from page 1. I didn’t want to finish it; I wanted more. Will, like the men he features, is a master of his craft. A must read.

George Will does a great job of detailing great figures in the history of baseball and the changes over the last 100+ years. The section on Tony LaRussa shows the excruciating detail that goes into what appears to be a simple game. His writing style makes the reading a little slow at times, and requires a dictionary always within reach. Still a good book for baseball fans.

Ever wondered what goes on behind closed doors as the coaches meet before a game, or how much sign stealing really ocurrs? The answers to these questions and much more about the behind-the-scenes goings on of the great game of baseball are in this magnificent book by the conservative political columnist George F. Will. Will takes you behind closed doors with Tony LaRussa, the best manager in the game. He also takes you to the pither’s mound with Orel Hershiser, to the batter’s box with Tony Gwynn, and to the shortstop’s position with Cal Ripken, Jr. And when he gets you there, he explains every thing that is going on in everyone’s head and he does it with stunning detail, and first-hand knowledge that will keep you begging for more after you finish. Will’s book is a must have for even the casual baseball fan.

I bought this book thinking that Will would provide some of his philosphical interpretations of the outwardly lighthearted lyrics of the popular 80′s band from Australia, Men At Work. I always thought there was a lot more to the band then what everyone saw on MTV, and finally, this famous, great thinker was going to tell the world what I had always known about the group. Man, was I disappointed. I read thru the first 7 pages, and there was no reference to the band. I thought he was just working up to it – describing what a complex and artful sport baseball was, and then I figured he was going to surmise that the band was like baseball, in that it was also complex and artful. But it just never happened.
My friends told me I was stupid for making that assumption, because the sub-title of the book is “the craft of baseball”. But I just figured that was one of Will’s typical nonsensical references – you know, like when he’s talking about Clinton having sex with Monica, and then he throws in something about Sir Thomas Moore leading the Knights of Plantagenet to Victory over Hirohito’s armies of Luddites or something. Who could blame me for thinking this book was Will’s treatise on how the veggemite sandwich impacted the anglo-christian societies of the 80′s or something?

Well anyway, if you’re a serious fan of the band “Men at Work”, this is not the book for you.

Your view of this short book depends on how much you know about baseball already and how much you want to know. Being that you are looking at it and the title, you are at least a little interested. I found myself speed reading through some sections, but others sections I read with great interest due to knowledge base or lack thereof. The author loosely organizes the book on sections about player positions, stadiums, and so forth. Organization is not a strong part of this book. But, there are some great facts in here. For 200 pages, I learned a lot.

I really liked this book a lot…I learned quite a bit about baseball and I enjoyed the author’s sense of humor. I don’t think the book quite lives up to its subtitle: …for beginners, semi-experts, and deeply serious geeks. It probably won’t be quite basic enough to totally please the absolute beginner…but still not a bad choice either. Likewise I think that most semi-experts and serious geeks are going to be looking for something more than what is offered here. Nevertheless, I’m sure there are a lot of people out there that will really enjoy and learn from this book, the way I did. I’d recommend it for people with at least a very basic knowledge of how baseball is played, who want to learn more about a truly fascinating game.

This book is a great start for those who want a deeper understanding to the game. I always knew the basic rules about baseball and could even watch a game on Tv and not become to bored. But after reading this book my love, addiction, and knowledge of the game grew. I treat this book as a 1st step into a deeper understanding of the game, or even just to understand the difference between a fastball and curveball.
All in all, this book made me love the game of baseball even further and now I am going to more and more games. A must buy for fans and those who want to be fans alike.

George Will was always thought of a Conservative think tank columnist until he wrote a book on baseball. To his credit, his approach is, if not unique, then refreshing. He takes a micro-look at baseball, while focussing on some of the bright lights of the era of the late 1980′s and early 1990′s. Tony LaRussa from a managing perspective, Tony Gwynn from a hitting perspective, Cal Ripken, from fielding and Orel Hershiser from pitching.

Will looks at the day to day preparation of each of these athletes, and how they approach their sport 162 days a year.

He has chosen fine models for his investigation. Gwynn had a cerebral and focussed hitting approach that was so thoughtful, and so advanced, that he could have come from several decades in the future. Ripken set a standard for high level consistency that may never be challenged. And Hershiser, like Ron Guidry before him, may never be a Hall of Famer, but soared to heights for a few a seasons that few have ascended.

Tony LaRussa, as of this writing is still an active manager, and is still in the elite of baseball dugout management.

This is a highbrow look at professional baseball, and is a precursor to Michael Lewis’ excellent book, “Moneyball.”

Will has a passion for baseball, and I am glad he shared this book. It is a highly worthwhile read.

I enjoyed this book, especially the glossary of baseball lingo. I think I’ll keep this book near the TV when I listen to the “color commentator” spew all that meaningless baseball jargon! Some parts of the book were helpful, but a lot was fairly obvious if you’ve spent much time watching games or playing Little League. Still, the author includes some fun little-known facts…and I *think* I finally understand the infield fly rule! But don’t quiz me on it.

I strongly disagree with the reviewer that says that there is not much here that has not been said elsewhere. While I am new to baseball, at the age of 55 vastly more familiar with soccer, football, and basketball, my youngest son loves the game, and I have spent time looking for the perfect book that can both help him see the nuances, and help me follow the game.

This book is nothing less than extraordinary. It would be a superb gift for any high school or college student who loves the game, and for any parent or grandparent new to the game. Personally I think it has a great deal of information that those who consider themselves avid fans have NOT noticed, but you can decide that better than I.

Here are some of the nuggets in this book, which is the tactical complement to the strategic companion by another author, “Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game.” The two books together constitute an instant reference library from any baseball affecionado.

1) 1 in 100,000 make it to major leagues from among those who strive to get there.

2) Going to college is a superb way to perfect your skills and shorten the time to selection for minor leagues–a tiny handfull get to go straight to the majors.

3) Five tool players can field well, throw hard (and accurately), run fast, hit home runs, and hit a high batting average.

4) Any major leaguer, however “bad” they might appear on a given day, is the best of the best and has spent a lifetime getting there.

5) Awesome concise clear description of the many kinds of balls that a pitcher can throw to a batter.

6) Runner on second can see catcher’s signals and signal to the hitter more often than not. I had no idea.

7) When bases are loaded, a fast ball is more likely, hit to it and improve your batting average.

Amazing list of all the *many* reasons a coach might walk out to talk to a pitcher.

9) Leg strength is critical for all players and helps power the ball.

10) Run bases on a CURVE for faster rounding of bases.

11) A catcher can be the team’s reference librarian, a goldmine of knowledge about hitters built up over a lifetime of observation.

12) Strike zone defined by each player, not a fixed box. From the kneecaps to a line halfway between the belt and the shoulders.

13) Outstanding section on umpires, who can spend thousands on a school and endure 8-12 years in the minors on bare subsistence salaries. If they do make it to the majors, then they earn a six-figure salary.

14) Lovely section that clearly illustrates and explains all of the symbols needed to record every move in a baseball game.

15) Umpires WILL remember every slight over the years, and when borderline calls need to be made, the slights will come home to roost.

Superb glossary.

I am giving this review and the book to my 12-year old, in the hopes that he will read every word and refer back to this book many times in the years to come.

This book is a GEM. Ignore the faint praise by other reviewers.

See also the DVDs
Field of Dreams (Widescreen Two-Disc Anniversary Edition)
A League of Their OwnBaseball – A Film By Ken Burns
The Natural (Director’s Cut)
For Love of the Game
Impossible to Forget: The Story of the ’67 Boston Red Sox
Nine Innings From Ground Zero: The 2001 World Series
Rising Sons Return – Matsui, Ichiro and More!
American Pastime
The Pride of the Yankees (Anniversary Edition)

If you enjoy the sport of baseball, you gotta read this book. George Will provides insights into the details of baseball by examining the game from the perspective of the Manager, the Batter, the Pitcher and the Fielder. It’s wonderful the descriptions of the minute aspects that make the difference between a regular player and someone with the skills like future Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn. I’ve read this book many times, and I never tire of the stories of how this game is meant to be played. You will enjoy the game even more after reading this book.

George Will shows his passion for the game in this work. As a baseball fan myself I can appreciate the technical aspects of the game and therefore this work. If you are no more than a casual fan I am not sure this is the book for you. If you are an avid fan, however, or wanting to learn more about the intricacies of the game then this book is for you. In lengthy detailed interviews from some of the games best you’ll learn about all the little things that go on during a baseball game that you simply can’t get from a box score. Pitching, coaching, managing, defense and hitting are all covered. Will addresses them all adequately and with quality, classy athletes. A must read for any true fan, old or new. While the players are retired now it is still worth any young baseball fans read. It will give you a much greater appreciation for the game as a whole. I can’t wait for Spring Training.

George Will’s “Men at Work” was written out of his love for the game, and “the game inside the game.” The book features extended interviews with baseball luminaries Tony LaRussa, Orel Hersheiser, Tony Gywnn and Cal Ripken jr. It is divided into sections on managers, pitchers, hitters, and defensive play. Will states that baseball is about paying attention, about the myriad details that make up each pitch, each play, each out.

At times the book bogs down into a tech manual, giving even the most enthusiastic readers a little too much detail; at other times Will’s rightwing political bias does emerge in the guise of a discussion of a strong work ethic, individual initiative for personal gain, and nostalgic idealization of the past.

But taken as a whole, “Men at Work” is a paean to what used to be called “America’s favorite pastime”. Will demonstrates why baseball appeals on many levels to a wide range of people. As a lifelong fan, someone who has never tired of the game because however lopsided the score, there is always something to pick up on (see Tony LaRussa’s quote above), I recommend the book to readers of all ages.

I (i) am a woman; (ii) did not grow up playing (obviously) or talking about (or watching much) baseball (e.g., I did not know that there were any differences between the NL and the AL, and I didn’t understand why the Red Sox and Yankees could not play in the World Series); (iii) have recently become a huge fan; and (iv) would now place myself well beyond the beginner level, but still pretty shy of the semi-expert. From my perspective, this is one of the most satisfying book purchases I’ve made in a long while. In fact, it’s the first one I’ve liked so much that I wanted to write a review of it.

I finally decided to start taking advantage of the fact that I had moved to a great baseball city after the Red Sox won the 2007 World Series. I was tired of coming in on game 7 of the ALCS, getting fired up about the World Series, and then forgetting all about the game until next time (if there was a next time). I wanted to be as excited for the moment as all of the other fans in Boston. So I started watching every game. I loved watching the games, but I remained in a state of moderate confusion most of the time. Someone gave me a rulebook for my birthday (Baseball Field Guide: An In-Depth Illustrated Guide to the Complete Rules of Basebal). I learned a lot, but I still had tons of questions that the rulebook didn’t seem to answer. How does color announcer Jerry Remy know the pitcher’s going to throw an outside fastball (there are actually universal signs; plus the catcher sets up outside)? What does it mean to pitch from the stretch (it means the shorter wind-up pitchers use when men get on base to keep the runner from having time to steal — I might have missed that in the rulebook)? Why would a team trade away its best player halfway through the season (they know they’re out of the race and can get pretty good deals from a postseason-bound team who needs the player)? How in the world could anyone understand the gestures the coaches make (rub the belt, tap the nose, tap the hat, rub the shoulder, tap the belt twice, and then tap the elbow)? What thoughts go into the order of the lineup? Why is that missed out an error, but the earlier one wasn’t? Why do umpires break up conferences on the mound? What makes a ballpark a “hitter’s ballpark”? Other than the cheering fans, is there a real “home team advantage”? What’s with all the wacky statistics, and do they mean anything?

These are just some of the many questions that Mr. Hample answers in this thoroughly entertaining and engrossing book. He also answers a bunch of questions that I didn’t even think of, which was convenient, because I also got the sense that I didn’t even know enough to ask the right questions and that as someone who had never actually played the game, I never would. Like, why an umpire might choose that career (he can’t play but loves the game), or why I shouldn’t be too quick to call a fielder a loser when he makes an error (if he’s a good athlete, he’s probably making the error when other fielders couldn’t even reach the ball). I learned about the many things a pitcher juggles in his mind during every at-bat besides how to throw the pitch. I learned more about how batting averages are calculated. I learned that many of the goofy signs the coaches and manager make are fake to throw off the opposing team; that’s why they make so many at a time.

And I enjoyed doing so, because Mr. Hample doesn’t just provide definitions with diagrams (although there a a few of those). In many cases he puts you in the mind of the players at different positions (and even the umpires and base coaches) by setting up scenarios and taking you step-by-step through the rapid-fire multi-tasking that goes on in their heads. I would paste in an example, but I bought the Kindle version for Kindle for Mac, and it won’t let me copy text.

The one thing missing from this book, for someone like me anyway, is a good description of the different kinds of pitches and how to tell them apart just by looking. Most websites are aimed at people trying to learn the pitch, so they focus on how to hold and release the ball. I want to know how to recognize the pitch. Even so, I learned so much that I would give the book six stars, if I could.

I think that if you (i) love baseball (but have never actually played) and want to know what to look for in order to be able appreciate the richness of baseball that semi-experts and deeply serious geeks already love; or (ii) are one of the semi-experts and deeply serious geeks who want a potentially fresh take on the already familiar intricacies of the game, then this book is definitely worth it.

(Note that you can download one of Amazon’s free Kindle readers for other devices and then download a sample of this book before you purchase it. If you’re considering the Kindle version, but don’t have a Kindle, you should know that there are a few minor typos, as well as a couple of references to page numbers, which at least Kindle for Mac doesn’t show in its e-books. Some of the charts are pretty tiny, although still readable, in the Kindle version, too, but I think this is only an obstacle on non-Kindle Kindle readers that don’t allow you to zoom on images. If I could do it over again, I would buy the hard copy.)

Zack Hample’s book is enjoyable and informative, and it makes for a great read in preparation for Opening Day. I have been a casual fan of the sport for many years. Recently, something has clicked and I have found the sport to be much more engaging and enjoyable. I’m looking forward to the upcoming season more than I have in many years.
Watching Baseball Smarter includes some things I already knew, and many things that I didn’t. It includes very basic information for the person who knows next to nothing about the game (e.g. what a force out is) but also deals with more obscure information and even a bit of trivia (e.g. at which stadium did “The Wave” first appear?). I also enjoyed the Baseball glossary at the back of the book, which included such terms as ‘worm-burner,’ ‘meatball,’ and ‘human rain delay.’ After reading this book, I understand more of the strategy and intricacies of the game. I recommend this book whether you’re a new fan to the sport, or a long-time follower of America’s Pastime, as it will deepen your appreciation for all that happens on the field.

Watching Baseball Smarter will appeal to youngsters around 9-12 who are eager to grab as much baseball knowledge as possible by attending and watching games on television. For those young people, scoring, colorful terms, and obscure rules can make the game seem more mysterious than it is. At the same time, learn those elements of active watching and a youngster can develop the basics to enjoy being a lifelong fan.

If someone had given me this book at that age, I would have treasured Watching Baseball Smarter above all over gifts I got that at that time. I would have been most thrilled by the illustrations of how the various pitches are thrown.

Remember that observation when you consider if you know any budding fans who would be thrilled to have this book.

As for the claim that the book is also for semi-experts and deeply serious geeks, I don’t think so. I didn’t see any material that wasn’t well known to me by the time I was 15. And I was hardly a semi-expert or a deeply serious geek. I just enjoyed watching and attending the games.

Don’t give this book to a serious baseball fan; you’ll embarrass yourself if you do.

Here are few questions to test your ability to enjoy the book:

1. What is the infield fly rule?

2. What is a double switch?

3. What is a catcher’s earned run average?

4. What is a safety squeeze?

5. How do you keep score?

If know all five, this book isn’t for you. If you know four, you’ll get an occasional nugget from the book. If you know three or fewer, this book is a good choice for you.

On this reading, the main pleasure was from remembering when I first learned the material and from an occasional bit of trivia that was new to me. The former pleasure was what kept me reading, and I was disappointed that the book was aimed mostly at an elementary level . . . having found the subtitle to be misleading in terms of the book’s relevance for me.

Play ball!

This review is of the Kindle Edition.

In the statistics section, there are numerous arithmetic formulae. For some reason, the author or typographer chose to use the symbol rather than the now-more-prevalent /. Unfortunately, in the Kindle edition (perhaps due to OCR?) nearly every has been replaced by a + instead. This really screws up the math.

There’s another spot, when talking about pitcher stats, where the G (for games played) is rendered instead as a 6.

These don’t strike me as typos — they seem like they have to be OCR errors, as though Amazon had scanned & then poorly-proofread a physical copy of the book. I don’t understand why the publisher couldn’t provide Amazon with a fully proofed soft-copy of the book.

As far as the content goes, it’s enjoyable to read. On my iPhone, the glossary is very difficult to use, but that’s not the author’s fault (it would have been nice to have every instance of a glossary term actually linked to the glossary rather than just italicized, but since Amazon couldn’t even get the proofing done properly, I know that’s too much to ask).

I do agree with the reviewers who state that it’s neither for true beginners nor for deeply serious geeks. It’s too disorganized, and assumes familiarity with a wide range of concepts more advanced than just the basic field positions & game-play, to really be for beginners. But it doesn’t go into nearly enough depth or arcane depth to be more than passingly amusing to a deeply serious geek.

Fantastic job by George Will. If you want to learn more about the game, this is a must read. Jam packed with everything about baseball, from managerial strategy to hitting. You will know more than you did before about the national pastime. I guarantee it.

This book does exactly what is promises – it greatly enhances the act of viewing baseball on TV. Not only can you read it from beginning to end to gain a step-by-step understanding of “why”, but you can also use the glossary at will for the “what”. Every time some ex-player commentator throws out a term like “squibber”, you can just flip to “s” and get a simple explanation. Zach Hample writes with a great respect for the game, but also the insight into the casual viewer’s mind. He is entertaining and educational all at once. It’s an excellent book for you or as a gift – anyone who wants to know more about baseball, no matter how much they think they already know.

I bought this book thinking that Will would provide some of his philosphical interpretations of the outwardly lighthearted lyrics of the popular 80′s band from Australia, Men At Work. I always thought there was a lot more to the band then what everyone saw on MTV, and finally, this famous, great thinker was going to tell the world what I had always known about the group. Man, was I disappointed. I read thru the first 7 pages, and there was no reference to the band. I thought he was just working up to it – describing what a complex and artful sport baseball was, and then I figured he was going to surmise that the band was like baseball, in that it was also complex and artful. But it just never happened.
My friends told me I was stupid for making that assumption, because the sub-title of the book is “the craft of baseball”. But I just figured that was one of Will’s typical nonsensical references – you know, like when he’s talking about Clinton having sex with Monica, and then he throws in something about Sir Thomas Moore leading the Knights of Plantagenet to Victory over Hirohito’s armies of Luddites or something. Who could blame me for thinking this book was Will’s treatise on how the veggemite sandwich impacted the anglo-christian societies of the 80′s or something?

Well anyway, if you’re a serious fan of the band “Men at Work”, this is not the book for you.

George Will’s passions for America’s great pastime is evident in every story. He goes behind the scenes for the details and strategy that is involved in every pitch. His look at the manager, pitcher, hitter and fielder will add insight to the game and garner a deeper appreciation of the game within the game. A great baseball book!

The subtitle of this well crafted work: “A Professional Fan’s Guide for Beginners, Semi-Experts, and Deeply Serious Geeks.” For the first two categories, right on! Geeks are not going to learn a whole lot that they already do not know. That aside, though, this is a nice work.

Examples of what is in some of the chapters: Chapter 2 focuses on “Pitchers and Catchers.” The first part of the chapter describes basic pitches (and how they are thrown)–fastball, curveball, slider, change-up, split-finger fastball, knuckleball, screwball, spitball (naughty, naughty!), eephus, and gyroball (does it even exist?). Each is described, with a bit of humor added here and there.

Chapter 5 explores “Fielding.” There are brief descriptions of what each position has to do. As an old second baseman, I enjoyed reading about the basics of the double play and so on.

Chapter 6 examines “Stadiums” (but should this not be “Stadia,” to use the proper Latin term?). One of the more enjoyable features is the description of some unique fields. Think Fenway Park or Wrigley Field. But why not talk about the cool stadium in Cleveland?

Chapter 9 takes a peek at “Random Stuff to Know.” E.g., Why K for strikeout on scorecards? What about uniform numbers? The seventh inning stretch? And so on.

This book is a lot of fun. Even hard core baseball fans might enjoy it for its style, even though they may not learn a great deal that is new. For beginners and intermediate fans, though, this will be quite a pleasure!

Zack Hample knows his baseball and both novice and the seasoned follower will gain from these pages. Yet, he did not target his reader, and that’s where I feel he “dropped the ball”. Someone new to baseball will appreciate most of the basic stuff that he so carefully describes, and then get bogged down by the heavy and thick technical elucidations. And someone with a decent knowledge of the game can truly expand his command of the sport (as a fan) yet suffer with all the triviality directed at the newby. If one could only foretell when to read and when to skip, the book would be more enjoyable and, of course, a sweeter read.

As a long time fan of the game, I appreciate insights new to me, especially in the La Russa section. However, in typical George Will fashion, he completely ignores the big issues in order to make his point on minor ones. For example, on hitting, he totally misses the importance of power. It’s not that 50 HR w/ 150 SO and 50 BB is ideal, it’s that 40 HR + 120 BB and a mediocre batting average leave Gwynn on the second team.

On the other hand, what can you expect from a man who thinks that the First Amendment guarantees that the the paid speech of corporate lobbyists displaces the free speech of citizen constituents?

So insightful and so true, even 10 years after the book was published. A must for any fan of THE GAME.

I am a serious baseball geek and my kids are near beginners (8 and [...]) and yet we all find the book to be entertaining, engaging, and extremely educational. It has really helped my young second baseman/pitcher learn some very useful strategies in his own little league game.
A great read for anyone who loves baseball in any form.

As a sixty year baseball fan, I think I know most everything about the game. However, Zack came up with some new/clarifying information for me. By the way, the game has changed since I started following it in the mid-1940s.

Men at Work is a wonderful piece of writing that gives its readers a solid understanding of what it takes — both physically and mentally — to make it in the complex world of baseball. Some may find it a difficult, slow read, but compared to his political columns, Will really dumbs it down. I guess he realizes that baseball is not a sport enjoyed by Harvard-educated intellectuals. But the book itself is refreshingly intellectual, due to Will’s dedicated study of the game and his (and the subjects’ of the book) attention to detail. The only setback of the book is that, it may seem a little outdated. There is hardly any talk of free agency, revenue sharing, expansion, etc. Of course, this book was written before the big salary boom of the 1990s. Expansion was far off and the lack of competitive balance had yet to become an issue.

This book is excellent, nearly perfect, in fact. Subjects for Men at Work II might include Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Ivan Rodriguez, Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, Nomar Garciapara, or Joe Torre (Lou Piniella would most likely offer a wonderful look at modern managers). Hopefully, Will realizes that there is still much to be learned on the part of fans everywhere. We could use another book, George.

I LOVED this book!! I loved it so much that I purchased six more copies to give as gifts to family and friends. I don’t care who you are – you will get something out of this book. Even if you think you know everything, I’m sure there will be a few surprises. I could not wait to attend my first game after reading this book – what a difference it made in understanding and enjoying the game. And not only that, I can now appreciate what the announcers are talking about when they use baseball jargon. There is a great glossary of terms with all the slang you ever need to know.

I am a fan of baseball and an admirer of George Will. That he wrote such a comprehensive book on our National pasttime makes me smile. However, the book was a bit broader than it needed to be, and the term ‘over-analysis’ might apply.

As Woody Allen’s dalliance with Soon Yi ruined his films for many film buffs (especially New York reviewers), George Will’s penetrating and often disturbing political commentary seems to have colored Men At Work for some reviewers below. Pay them no mind. Men At Work is a brilliant distillation of the insights of several brilliant Baseball Men who Work very well indeed.

Men At Work is faintly scholarly in tone – use a dictionary if you must (I didn’t need one). For us non-scholars, though, if the mechanics of baseball is of interest, this book is for you.

An Example: Tony La Russa outlines nine basic ways to run the double steal – and the defense’s proper response to them all. I had no idea! We didn’t get this in Little League (on the other hand they don’t call it the Big Leagues for nuthin’)!

Here’s another: An explicit split second analysis of stealing second base – it demonstrates almost beyond doubt that you steal on the pitcher – not the catcher (which perhaps shows that Will is biased against pitchers or in favor of catchers – a form of Baseball Politics?)

Will shows that when Gywnn is (no, WAS) pulling the ball, his timing was off, and why this was true.

Men At Work is not sentimental – if you want the Boys of Summer you won’t find it here. What you will find is uncommon insight from some of baseball’s best presented by a clearly devoted and talented writer.

this book is a must read for anyone interested in getting the most out of watching a baseball game. even the most knowledgeable fans will find lots of new and interesting information in this extremely thoughtful book…but not to worry, it is extemely entertaining and funny as well. in addition to the well laid out text there are references in italics linking to a prodigious glossary at the end containing every imaginable baseball term. this is a welcome addition to the literature especially as it comes right at the beginning of the new season.

This somewhat outdated book (written in late ’80s) is an ambitious compendium of the skills employed by some of the best players and managers of the game. Through the eyes of Tony LaRussa, Orel Hershiser, Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken Jr., Will fees us a Herculean amount of “inside baseball.” Perhaps the boatload of statistics and anecdotes are a little too weighty, but Will leavens it with his wit and his solid journalism. Maybe a good baseball fan doesn’t need to know all that Will gives us. But as a former baseball fanatic who lost interest for decades, I found it very enjoyable to take a refresher course in the ins and outs of our national pastime and be reminded why I love the game so much. A solid, notable baseball book by a devoted fan.

About: Guide to the generalities and intricacies of the game of baseball.

Pros: Very informative, funny, great use of examples. Even I learned something and I consider myself pretty knowledgeable about the sport.

Cons: Would’ve liked to see an index.

This is a fascinating journey into the national pastime. George Will writes economically and wisely not only about what the game is, but also what it once was. The evolution of the sport – although that is certainly not the focus of the book – is illuminating for anyone who is interested in how institutions come to change. Will brings a deep explanation to the chief facets of the game – managing, pitching, hitting and defense. Ultimately they groove together to form a gorgeous tapestry of understanding. There’s a word for this kind of non-fiction work: indispensable.

Although the characters are dated, this book is still the definitive look inside a baseball game. The players are all from the 80′s and 90′s (Cal Ripken, Tony Gwynn, Orel Hershiser) but the manager profiled is Tony Larussa who is still in business and you will see why. His game-prep is phenomenal!

I loved this book, and if you enjoy baseball, you will love this book as well. One of the few baseball books to read with a highlighter!!

This is a great book for those just getting into baseball. Hample clearly and quickly explains baseball’s rules, history, traditions, and lingo (the latter occasionally to the extent that it becomes distracting). If you are new to the game or only casually follow it, this book is a must-read.

However, the title indicates that this book is intended not only for beginners, but “semi-experts and deeply serious geeks” as well. I’d put myself somewhere between the latter two categories, and I have to say that for me the book was a waste of two hours. After skipping chunks of the “Basics of the Game” section, I read at least most of every section but came away learning little or nothing. If you consider yourself a hardcore baseball fan, skip this book and pick up Baseball Between the Numbers by Baseball Prospectus or one of many other more advanced books.

The author did a very good job with this book. Although I don’t consider myself a “deeply serious geek,” I already knew 98% of what was contained in this book. I really enjoyed the chapter on the different stadiums. However, I wish he would have put more information about individual ballparks new/old/closed. The glossary will definitely be helpful to those who are just getting into the game. Hample does an excellent of “dumbing down” the game of baseball for people who do not know the sport well. I would recommend this book to little leaguers who want to learn the nuances of baseball and find out the reasons why professionals do the things that they do. Good book, but not for people who have a good background of knowledge of the game of baseball.

It’s easy to read and entertaining. The book is well-edited – chapters are split up in such a way that makes it easy to find immediate answers during a game, yet it flows cohesively enough to make it an entertaining read on a quiet night. I like the extensive dictionary of baseball terms and phrases. It has lots of whats, but frequently also includes the whys behind things like the history of certain stats and the main reason the MLB did away with spitballs. There’s lots of insider info, interesting facts and anecdotes; everything from how to read a box score to unusual attributes of ball parks. This book is loaded, and any baseball fan will enjoy it.

I originally picked up this book on the strength of Will’s political writings. I didn’t expect an awful lot, but was very surprised when I found that Will actually knows the game….better than most people, even. Delving into baseball’s past and yet staying connected to the present and looking into the future, Will gives the reader a very clear picture of how the game is played at the professional level, detailing many of the subtleties and minutiae that must be mastered to attain that level. At times a little dry and over-statistical, the book is filled with many informative and amusing quotes and anecdotes which make the book an overall pleasure to read. Highly recommended for any semi-serious student of the game.

I had to buy it because I was so surprised at the disparity between some commentators. I figured the book was either a really good or really bad so I took a chance.

My opinion: this is a really good book.

I think that the person who will get the most out of this book is one whose starting baseball knowledge is beyond the basics (you sort of know what is a batting average is and “foul ball” is not a foreign term). My favorite thing about this book was the way the author talked about the traditions of the game that even people who have been at the ballpark a number of times might miss, like, for instance, how the batters deliberately blur the chalk lines in the batters box or how the ump will clean off home plate – whether it needs it or not – when the catcher is hit by a pitch (it gives the catcher a few moments to collect himself; the catcher returns the favor by a trip to the mound if the ump is hit).

My biggest negative is that the author freely uses baseball lingo throughout the book. The lingo is set off by italics, which means that he defined the term in the glossary, but I found it distracting to stop in the middle of a subject to go look up a term.

I think this book is pretty much aimed at younger readers, 10-20, or an occasional follower of the game. It’s material is really fairly light. If you’re familiar with baseball, then there’s not much here that hasn’t been said somewhere. It has five interesting questions on the back cover. For example, “Why do some players urinate on their hands?” Good luck if you can find the answer. There is no index. That is quite unfortunate in my view. If you are pretty familiar with baseball, you’ll find yourself skipping over material to find something you might find interesting. The lack of an index will let you down.

I’m turning this over to my 12-13 year old nephews. I’m sure they’ll love it.

I don’t think the interesting question about name five ways a hitter can get to first without hitting the ball is in here. (Answer is found by Google.)

George Will turns his focus to baseball’s technicalities through the eyes of pros like Tony Gwynn, Cal Ripken, Tony LaRussa, etc. The result is an educational look at pitching, catching, managing, defense, and other facets of the national pastime circa 1990. These pages provide valuable insight seldom covered by the oft-trivial sportswriting that rarely examines strategy. These pages provide insight for hardcore fans, students of the game, coaches, players, etc. Unfortunately, Will’s thick prose makes for rather stiff reading – perhaps he should stick to political columns, where his prose at least, is much better. Hardcore fans might enjoy this book, but could be better directed towards BASEBALL FOR BRAIN SURGEONS by Tim McCarver, and Roger Kahn’s HEAD GAME (about pitching).

If you have ever wondered how the players and managers prepare to do the amazing things we see every day of the baseball season this is the book for you! I have loved the game for my entire life, but I never realized so much preparation goes into every little aspect of the game. George Will covers each part of the game – pitching, hitting, and fielding – by observing and interviewing some of the greats of the game; Hershiser on pitching, Gwynn on hitting, Ripken on fielding, and Larussa on putting it all together.

George Will quoted Wes Westrum in this book – “Baseball is like church. Many attend, but few understand.” This book increased my understanding of the game and as a result has added to my enjoyment of baseball. I see things I didn’t see before I read this book – the nuances of the game have become more clear.

I did not believe I could love the game more, but after reading this book, I do! I would highly recommend this book to both students of the game and to newcomers looking to understand the game.

Will includes tons of fascinating insights and anecdotes, but the writing is ponderous. He seems unable to be agile in explaining anything. Statistics are frequently presented in far more volume than necessary to prove the point in question. There are misspellings and sentences which simply do not scan. This book seems to have lacked a strong, intervening editor. The result is a book at least 30% longer than it needs to be. In addition, although its 4 stars are still active in baseball, a great deal has changed since then including interleague play, smaller parks, the big home run totals, the even greater importance of the closer, the money — this book is in big need of an update. It’s also surprising that he never really addresses free agency. If he were writing it today, he would need to discuss salary cap and realignment.

Ok book to browse. Not much depth, insight, or charm. If you grew up a fan or player, there is litlle new

There are some few basics of the game that are not dealt with here. Different than some of the books I reseaarched, the author is sensitive to the reader’s needs, his questions and confusions. Perhaps the book’s most enjoyable section is the glossary of baseball slang, which goes on for pages. Most of the time, when I finish a book I pass it on to others. I’m gonna keep this one for its treasure chest of baseball info which, I’m certain, I’ll be drawing on again and again. Granted, this book may be aimed primarily at readers who are new to baseball or — as in my case — someone who needed a refresher course after decades of disinterest. But fans of all stripes should enjoy and learn from Hample’s very readable, very encyclopedic book on how America’s pastime is played. Hample takes the game apart piece by piece, helps explains each, and puts it back together again.

This was one of the first books I ever read that tackled the “brains” behind baseball. Since then I’ve read a bunch of others, including Tom Boswell and Tim McCarver. Like the previous poster, I felt like they all had their head in the 1970s (or earlier). They were missing today’s game.

The book I found that does what SFGiants Fan wants is one that talks about the modern game, talks about new stadiums and expansion and short benches and deep bullpens and closers and everything is _Off Base_ by Andrew Torrez.

Has anyone else here read _Off Base_? It seems to be “Men At Work”, only for 1999, not 1985.

So you’ll probably hear a lot of reviews for this book that start with, “Okay, I’m a huge baseball fan…” or “I played baseball my whole life, and…” followed by praise for Mr. Hample’s insight, research, and humor.

Although the book would TOTALLY help peak interest and raise awareness amongst new baseball fans, you will probably pick it up because the huge, warn-in baseball looks good enough to eat, and you love the game like a member of your own family.

As someone who has lived and learned baseball for 30 years, Mr. Hample’s book provided me with more knowledge, more open doors, and more “No kidding!” Pick this book up. Read it. Carry it with you to a game. Have it out on the table when you watch games on TV. You’ll see why…

Bravo, Mr. Hample. You have created a gem.