Baseball is indeed a mirror of American life, and Ward and Burns show how well America's story is told through baseball. Their book is the companion to a nine-part PBS television documentary scheduled to begin on September 18. In format and approach it resembles the authors' previous best seller, The Civil War (LJ 9/1/90). Each chapter, or "inning," proceeds chronologically with a dominant theme and dramatis personae. The profusion of striking illustrations add an extra dimension to each chapter. Another nice feature is the interlaced essays by such fine writers as Roger Angell, Robert Creamer, and Thomas Boswell on the hold that baseball has on ordinary people. The narrative gains force and momentum in sections examining the injustice of segregation and the forgotten heroes of the Negro leagues. Because the book is based on a documentary filmscript, the narrative sometimes seems a bit episodic, jumping from scene to scene and story to story. Overall, however, this rich and suggestive history is one of the finest books produced on baseball. Highly recommended.

If Major League Baseball was just pitching, hitting and defense, there wouldn't be anything funny about it. But there are pranks. And practical jokes. And the funniest on-the-field baseball mishaps and brain cramps this side of the new millennium that must be seen to be believed.

From sprinklers gone awry to bugs where they don't belong to players coming to the ballpark on skateboards and rickshaws, MLB Bloopers: The Funny Side Of Baseball delivers the laughs and is the perfect DVD for baseball fans who both love their sport and more than a little comic relief.

Shupak's 59 Minute Baseball Practice is first rate. The video contains of a lot of drills appropriate for any level of baseball. Each drill is described, then it is demonstrated using Little Leaguers.

This video was very helpful to me in organizing fast moving, more interesting, and quicker practice sessions. Although the coaching points for each drill are mentioned (for example, "turn to the glove side when making a relay"), they are not discussed in any depth. A novice coach will need additional resources to teach the fundamentals to younger players.

If you are short of practice space, Shupak's rag ball drills are the solution. If your baseball practice runs two hours -- an hour of batting practice and an hour of situations, get this video, and change your practice. Your players' skills will improve, and they will be more willing to practice hard.

Step up to the plate and play ball as we take you on a tour of those amazing edifices of the national pastime--baseball stadiums! From the sandlots and wooden ballparks of the 1800 and 1900s to the monolithic multipurpose stadiums of today, baseball parks have grown into technological wonders that pull in and cost millions.

This four DVD collection gives your Little Leaguer all the basic skills, drills and techniques to improve their game and better understand the ground rules of Little League Baseball. Each program is instructed by professional coaches and former Major League players, with over 28 video tips from current professional baseball players. Perfect for both the veteran player and any child or parent about to start their baseball season. Dusty Baker, (three-time National League Manager of the Year) presents "The Rules of the Game," Hall of Fame Broadcaster Vin Scully serves as a narrator of "The History of the Little League." Having played every fielding position in his 20 year professional career Angel's broadcaster Rex Hudler is the fielding expert. Fifteen year Major League veteran and Anaheim Angles pitching coach Bud Black serves as the pitching expert, and seven time all star and former Dodger hitting coach Reggie Smith teaches the fundamentals of hitting.

From The Youth Sports Club The producers of the best selling videos, "The 59 Minute Baseball Practice" and "48 Championship Basketball Drills","Championship Soccer Drills" and "Winning Baseball Strategies" comes our newest DVD: "Backyard Baseball Drills". "Backyard Baseball Drills" has taken over two years to complete. This creative DVD is geared for all parents and kids who love baseball or softball. The DVD is comprised of over 30 great drills that can be played in one's own backyard. Coach Marty Schupak shows parents how to get the most out of common items found in one's home and creates different and new baseball drills and games. Using things such as a bathroom plunger, a plastic milk container and a cinder block, coach Schupak goes through some basic drills a child age four or five can do. He also shows alternatives for baseball training props such as a "do it yourself" tarp made for under twenty dollars which does the same job as a two hundred dollar net.! The DVD also contains some advanced drills kids ages eight to fourteen can do. This is a true baseball lovers delight that parents will use continually as a resource.

The "Play Ball! Basic Pitching" DVD with Ray Romano and Reggie Smith is an authentic Little League baseball guide that teaches basic pitching techniques, strategies, tips, practice drills, and safety. It's hosted by Ray Romano from TV's "Everybody Loves Raymond".

This 70-minute DVD features instruction by former University of Arizona Head Coach Jerry Stitt. The DVD provides progressive step-by-step instruction of throwing, fielding and hitting fundamentals.

Part 1 covers gripping the baseball, throwing progressions, and proper technique and footwork . It includes some movement and throwing drills which will help players to master this often neglected part of the game. It is essential to teach players how to deliver the ball to their target accurately and consistently.

Part 2 covers fielding fundamentals and drills for both infielders and outfielders. The players learn glove mechanics, body positioning, footwork, how to turn the double play, communicating with teammates, and more! Practicing these fielding concepts and drills will help players to dramatically reduce the number of fielding errors.

Part 3 covers essential hitting mechanics and drills. Coach Stitt provides a detailed explanation and demonstration of the elements of a good swing. Learn the four things that all great hitters have in common. You will also learn how to put the ball in play and avoid common errors. Coach Stitt provides progressive drills to work on in the batting cages. He also presents some hitting drills that can be used on the playing field to provide players with numerous repetitions and keep everyone involved.

This comprehensive program will help coaches and players to establish the proper foundation necessary to be successful in baseball at any level.

From The Youth Sports Club, the producers of the best selling videos and DVDs,"The 59 Minute Baseball Practice", "48 Championship Basketball Drills", "Backyard Baseball Drills","Championship Soccer Drills" and "Pitching Drills & Techniques" comes "Winning Baseball Strategies". Thid DVD covers a variety of strategies for the competitive youth baseball coach. Nationally known youth baseball coach, Marty Schupak, has drawn on his years of coaching and shared strategies with some of the most successful youth baseball coaches around who have gone on to win numerous championships. Addressed are the most common strategic situations that occur in youth baseball games. Covered in the video are cutoffs, back up situations, first and third offensive and defensive situations, the delayed steal and when to use it, bunting situations and a variety of advanced skill strategie.

I've looked everywhere for something that would help my kids with the self confidence they need before the first Little League practice. This has helped a lot. Everything is on this DVD. Rules of the game, how to be a good sport and the importance of teamwork. The coach is friendly and gives the kids an idea of what to expect. The kids at the practice learn that they all have worthwhile capabilities. The use of animated characters really keeps them interested. There is just nothing like it available. It's great!

The only series approved by Little League Baseball Inc, PONY Baseball, Dixie Youth Baseball,and The National Association of High School Athletic Coaches for the training of their coaches and players.

Now all six titles are on one convenient DVD.
Included in this series are:

The FUNdamentals Of Hitting
The FUNdamentals Of Pitching
The FUNdamentals Of Fielding
Defensive Skills By Position
The FUNdamentals Of Baserunning
Coaching Psychology

This comprehensive package contains almost 5 hrs of baseball coaching techniques designed to help coaches and intersted parents to help young ballplayers to have the maximum amount of SUCCESS/FUN possible playing baseball! Purchased separately, these titles would cost $179.70!!

Our league is using the Baseball Skills & Drills series to train our volunteer coaches. The caliber of play has greatly improved. It is great to have every player being taught the same system. Coaches and players are having more fun.

David McLendon, Spring Branch National Little League

We get a lot more accomplished in practice and we are having more fun and winning.

Valuable tips and memorable exchanges from MLB's biggest stars are exposed through the eyes of Jennie Finch, MLB's This Week In Baseball correspondent and Olympic pitching great. Jennie gets exclusive one-on-one fitness advice, fielding guidelines, hitting instructions, pitching tips and behind-the-scenes secrets from the biggest stars in MLB, such as Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Roger Clemens, Albert Pujols, Steve Finley, Larry Walker, Mike Piazza, Tony Gwynn, Cal Ripken Jr. and more!

This DVD package is made of Marty Schupak's most popular baseball video productions. Included in this four DVD set are:
"The 59 Minute Baseball Practice"
"Backyard Baseball Drills"
"Winning Baseball Strategies"
"Pitching Drills & Techniques"