Baseball

Lisa Arsenault is an elementary-school teacher in Ajax, Ontario.

Any parent or teacher looking for a book to explain the basics of
baseball to young children would do well to start with this one. The
author begins with a diagram of the playing field, showing the location
of the players, the position of the coaches’ boxes, the on-deck
circle, and so on. The various parts of the uniform are described and
their purpose clarified. Then a fictional game is played, and the action
is explained in detail. As the game unfolds, the reader is introduced to
the rules and regulations, the roles of the fielding positions,
strategies for successful play, and so forth.

This excellent book is not too technical—the author points out that
she is writing for players in pickup and school games, not for pros.
Teamwork and the necessity for cooperation among players are stressed
throughout, as is the importance of practice. The exciting illustrations
present a game in progress in which the players are both boys and girls.
A humorous effect is achieved with the baseball jokes that appear in the
illustrations and that, therefore, do not fragment the text. A section
addressed to parents provides valuable advice on how to find the right
league for one’s child—one emphasizing fair play, teamwork, and fun.
Highly recommended.