Library Notes

Paul Birkhead

LIBRARY NOTES: BASEBALL


PAUL BIRKHEAD – JUNE 24, 2012



The game of baseball is an American invention dating back to the mid-1800s. Over the years, baseball has become so engrained in American culture that it is considered the national pastime. Although it has had to weather some rough times (think steroids and strikes), baseball still remains popular. Many people are fascinated by different aspects of the game, such as its history and the lives of its players. This is evident by the number of items Rowan Public Library has on its shelves pertaining to the subject of baseball.

Many library patrons check out baseball books in order to learn how to play the game better. A popular book is Baseball: How to Play the Game, put out by Major League Baseball. Inside the book are clear, well-illustrated explanations on the art of fielding, batting, and pitching. Whether you’re a coach or a player, there are numerous tips on how the pros play the game.

If the history of baseball interests you, Bert Sugar’s Baseball Hall of Fame book is sure to keep you turning pages. Beautifully illustrated, with fascinating vignettes of players and artifacts, this book showcases the collection of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. If you’re not expecting to be in Cooperstown, NY any time soon, looking through this book is the next best thing to actually being there at the Hall of Fame. You may have a favorite player who’s in the Hall of Fame or is certain to end up there. If so, chances are that the library might have a biography about him. Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Hank Aaron, Ted Williams, and Lou Gehrig are just some of the legends that you can read more about.

Baseball is also the subject of many novels that you’ll find at the library. One of the newest is John Grisham’s Calico Joe. While not his usual legal fiction thriller, Grisham’s book still manages to spin a fascinating tale of the son of a major league pitcher whose life is turned upside down by a tragic event that occurs on the field.

Rowan Public Library has an extensive DVD collection and there are several that have to do with baseball. Some of the most popular are Field of Dreams, Fever Pitch, The Natural, A League of Their Own, and even last year’s Oscar nominee, Moneyball.

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