"More than a hundred years ago baseball was just getting started, and the rules were nothing like they are today. Sure, baseball was played on a diamond with three bases and a home plate, but that's where the similarities end."
My friend Kurt is going to love this book...if he doesn't already have it. I read so much about the old game that I did not know. Any idea what soaking is? Well, it was 'a very early rule that allowed a runner who was off base to be put out by hitting him with a ball.' Did not know that...and not my idea of fun! I'm sure that even dedicated fans will learn some new facts about the old game.
The pages are filled with colorful, cartoon-like illustrations that add humor to the information being shared. Many definitions grace the outside margins, and there are entries about almost anything you can imagine...team colors, jersey numbers, naming the teams. Having the glossary in the margins is a real bonus to the readers' understanding of the text presented. They learn immediately about a meatball, a gopher ball and a lollipop without having to search elsewhere. Such an entertaining way to learn more about a national pastime. And oh! the nicknames. "Frank Baker became known as 'Home Run' Baker after he hit two homers in the 1911 World Series. He didn't even hit 100 in his entire career.'
There is much to compare between the game that is played today and the game described in this most enlightening book about baseball of yesteryear. Here's something to keep in mind:
"For a few decades of the nineteenth century, most teams used only one or two pitchers for a whole season. Their hoses(pitcher's arms) must have ached like crazy!"
And batters could even call the pitch they wanted!
If you want to extend the learning, there are many wonderful picture book biographies that tell the story of some of the stars....Henry Aaron, Jackie Robinson and Lou Gehrig. Kadir Nelson's We Are The Ship is the truly amazing and beautifull illustrated story of Negro League baseball. Paul Janeczko's That Sweet Diamond features poetry about all aspects of the grand game. The list goes on and on....
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