A Coach's Notebook
This book is written by an experienced youth SIA cricket coach Shri GS Pathania. This book is designed as a guide for both players and coaches, providing tools to improve skills and achieve excellence on the pitch. A tactical and training book that includes space for notes and strategies, intended for coaches to use in planning drills and exercises. This book delves into the mindset and methods used by elite cricketers to perform consistently at a high level.
Bills Pre-Gaming
In Buffalo, tailgating isn't a pregame activity. It's a weekly act of loyalty.Bills Pre-Gaming is a humorous, affectionate, and sharply observed guide to the culture of Buffalo Bills tailgating, where grills light in lake-effect snow, folding tables live brave but temporary lives, and strangers become family somewhere between the first beer and the second plate of wings.Part field manual, part anthropology, and part parking-lot philosophy, this book captures the unwritten rules every Buffalo fan somehow already knows: why weather is just a suggestion, wings are a moral position, blue cheese must have visible chunks, and beer is the default setting. It introduces the characters who make the lot work, maps sacred tailgating geography, and explains why Victory Monday walks a little taller.Packed with tailgate-tested recipes, emergency wing sauce ratios, checklists, and humor grounded in lived experience, this book isn't about winning and losing. It's about showing up, standing together, and turning a cold parking lot into something that feels like home.
Competitive Eating
Competitive eating has evolved far beyond a novelty or social media trend. It is now a structured, fast-growing sport with trained athletes, organised leagues, safety standards, and live events attracting huge audiences.Written by Craig Harker, founder of the British Eating League and creator of Dad Loves Food, Competitive Eating: The Ultimate Guide offers an honest, inside look at the world of competitive eating. Drawing on years of real experience, the book explains how the sport actually works, separating fact from fiction and entertainment from professional competition.The book covers training methods, mindset, preparation, and safety, while clearly distinguishing competitive eaters from food reviewers and casual challengers. It explores the rise of organised leagues in the UK and internationally, the structure of events, and the personalities helping drive the sport forward.Accessible, entertaining, and grounded in reality, this book is written for fans, food enthusiasts, curious readers, and anyone interested in understanding competitive eating as a legitimate sport. Whether you're watching from the crowd or considering a challenge yourself, this guide provides clarity, context, and insight from someone who helped build the sport from the ground up.
Life's Work
The definitive story of Tara VanDerveer, Stanford women's basketball, and an unmatched legacy of excellence By the time Tara Vanderveer stepped down from nearly four decades at the helm of Stanford women's basketball, she had surpassed both Pat Summitt and Mike Krzyzewski to become the winningest head coach in NCAA college basketball history. Along the way, she'd led the Cardinal to three national championships and 14 Final Fours, and served as head coach for the 1996 Team USA Olympic team that was a launching pad for professional women's basketball. How did this upstate New York native whose own antiquated basketball experience was a reflection of the limited opportunities available to women in sports prior to Title IX, whose first coaching job was her sister's recreation league team, become a legend, a Hall of Famer and a standard-bearer for excellence and success? Retracing countless seminal moments in Stanford Cardinal history, Life's Work details the construction and maintenance of an elite women's program and an unmatched legacy in sports. VanDerveer built upon a foundation of relentless competitiveness, intellectual curiosity, and a desire to change with the times and her teams. Beyond the accolades, she established a culture for young women in which they given the opportunity to improve, thrive and emerge into the world after basketball ready to lead. Through extensive research and conversations with VanDerveer, Michelle Smith communicates the unflappable vision of a coach who is a mentor, an example, and a touchstone for a sport that finds itself on the cusp of mainstream success like never before.
A Test Debut
A test debut is a moment in a cricketer's career that lives long in the memory. Players will approach the occasion with varying degrees of anxiety whilst trying to navigate their way through it as positively as possible.Throughout the book, all aspects of a player's test debut are explored through the stories and experiences that make them what they are. From the moment a player first receives the call to arms and the cap is presented through to the nervous anxiety that accompanies them to the crease, 'A Test Debut' leaves no stone unturned and will provide the reader with tales of heartbreak, comedy, tension and joy.
Do It Afraid
Do It Afraid is your wake up call to unleash the courage to jump into your God-given purpose!Kent Chevalier, chaplain of the Pittsburgh Steelers, shares vulnerably about the transformative journey of God redirecting his life, marriage, and mission. stories. Through powerful real-life lessons and practical tools, Kent invites you to evaluate what's holding you back and follow his lead to embrace the fear of the unknown in your own leap of faith. If any fear is keeping you from all that God has for you, Do It Afraid will challenge, encourage, and equip you to make the jump.
Do It Afraid
Do It Afraid is your wake up call to unleash the courage to jump into your God-given purpose!Kent Chevalier, chaplain of the Pittsburgh Steelers, shares vulnerably about the transformative journey of God redirecting his life, marriage, and mission. stories. Through powerful real-life lessons and practical tools, Kent invites you to evaluate what's holding you back and follow his lead to embrace the fear of the unknown in your own leap of faith. If any fear is keeping you from all that God has for you, Do It Afraid will challenge, encourage, and equip you to make the jump.
The Keys to Your Skating Type
Why do some players glide effortlessly while others struggle, even after years of training?The difference is not effort or talent.It is your skating type.The Keys to YOUR Skating Type introduces a powerful, easy-to-understand system built on Three Motor Keys for Eight Skating Types, helping players, parents, and coaches finally understand why every skater moves differently and how to train smarter as a result.Developed from more than 15 years of experience working with elite and developing players, this book breaks away from one-size-fits-all skating instruction. Instead, it reveals how each body is naturally designed to move on the ice-and how recognizing that design can dramatically improve speed, balance, efficiency, and confidence.Inside this essential guide, you will learn: The Three Motor Keys that influence skating power, control, and efficiencyThe Eight Skating Types and how each one naturally moves on the iceWhy forcing the wrong technique can limit performance and increase frustrationHow to identify your skating type and use it to your advantageHow coaches can adapt drills and teaching methods for better resultsReal-world NHL examples that illustrate each skating typeHighly illustrative photos that make complex movement patterns clear and practicalWhether you are a player striving to skate faster and with less effort, a parent supporting your child's development, or a coach looking to individualize instruction, this book provides a clear, practical model you can apply immediately.Stop copying techniques that were never built for your body.Stop training against your natural movement patterns.Start skating with purpose, efficiency, and confidence.
Magic in the Air
"Who doesn't wanna read an entire book about the slam dunk? I love basketball." - Ann Patchett "The definitive dunking dissertation." - Jack McCallum, Wall Street Journal From the author of the bestselling Kobe Bryant biography The Rise comes the legend of the most powerful shot in basketball: the slam dunk. The evolution of basketball, and much of the social and cultural change in America, can be traced through one powerful act on the court: the slam dunk. The dunk's history is the story of a sport and a country changed by the most dominant act in basketball, and it makes Magic in the Air a rollicking and insightful piece of narrative history and a surefire classic of sports literature. When basketball was the province of white men, the dunk acted as a revolutionary agent, a tool for players like Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell to transform the sport into a Black man's game. The dunk has since been an expression of Black culture amid the righteous upheaval of the civil-rights movement, of the threat that Black people were considered to be to the establishment. It was banned from college basketball for nearly a decade--an attempt to squash the individual expression and athleticism that characterized the sport in America's cities and on its playgrounds. The dunk nevertheless bubbled up to basketball's highest levels. From Julius Erving to Michael Jordan to the high flyers of the 21st century, the dunk has been a key mechanism for growing the NBA into a global goliath. Drawing on deep reporting and dozens of interviews with players, coaches, and other hoops experts, Magic in the Air brings to life the tale of the dunk while balancing sharp socio-racial history and commentary with a romp through American sports and culture. There's never been a basketball book quite like it.
The Fifa World Cup Pop-Up Book
A gloriously fun, interactive pop-up journey through the FIFA World Cup--bringing to life the drama, players, and unforgettable moments of the world's most popular sporting event. Experience the world's greatest sporting spectacle like never before in this extraordinary pop-up book. Bursting with energy, color, and movement, this immersive celebration of soccer's most iconic tournament leaps off the page. Each spread transforms into a dazzling three-dimensional scene: Wembley, Mexico City, and the Maracan瓊 stadiums in glorious detail; a life-sized World Cup trophy and winners' medals; an interactive penalty shootout; celebratory fans raising the game; and legendary players, coaches, and teams who have made soccer history. From the first kick-off in 1930 to unforgettable finals that united billions of viewers around the globe, the story of the World Cup unfolds in spectacular pop-up form with twenty pop-ups, four wheels, nine booklets, and a poster. Young-at-heart readers will delight in pulling tabs, lifting flaps, and discovering surprises hidden in every corner, while devoted fans will appreciate the wealth of details--from a rarely-seen referee report to vintage tickets, matchday programs, and personal recollections from tournament winners. Replica medals, red and yellow cards, newspaper and magazine headlines, and the handwritten Laws of the Game will delight collectors and historians. With more than 500 full-color images, intricate paper engineering, and engaging text, the book captures not only the game itself but also the culture, atmosphere, and passion that make the World Cup the pinnacle of global sport. A perfect gift for soccer enthusiasts of all ages and collectors of unique sports memorabilia, this book is both playful and informative--a trove of unique information and objects from FIFA's archives, the FIFA Museum, La Gazzetta dello Sport, Sports Illustrated and other sources. This is an extraordinary keepsake that brings the joy of the beautiful game into your hands, ready to unfold again and again.
The Keys to Your Skating Type
Why do some players glide effortlessly while others struggle, even after years of training?The difference is not effort or talent.It is your skating type.The Keys to YOUR Skating Type introduces a powerful, easy-to-understand system built on Three Motor Keys for Eight Skating Types, helping players, parents, and coaches finally understand why every skater moves differently and how to train smarter as a result.Developed from more than 15 years of experience working with elite and developing players, this book breaks away from one-size-fits-all skating instruction. Instead, it reveals how each body is naturally designed to move on the ice-and how recognizing that design can dramatically improve speed, balance, efficiency, and confidence.Inside this essential guide, you will learn: The Three Motor Keys that influence skating power, control, and efficiencyThe Eight Skating Types and how each one naturally moves on the iceWhy forcing the wrong technique can limit performance and increase frustrationHow to identify your skating type and use it to your advantageHow coaches can adapt drills and teaching methods for better resultsReal-world NHL examples that illustrate each skating typeHighly illustrative photos that make complex movement patterns clear and practicalWhether you are a player striving to skate faster and with less effort, a parent supporting your child's development, or a coach looking to individualize instruction, this book provides a clear, practical model you can apply immediately.Stop copying techniques that were never built for your body.Stop training against your natural movement patterns.Start skating with purpose, efficiency, and confidence.
Mean Joe Greene
Many years before he would anchor the most-feared, most-successful defense the NFL had ever seen, Joe Greene was just a big, timid kid from Temple, Texas struggling to find his confidence as a teenager being raised by a single mother. In his compelling, eye-opening autobiography, Greene takes readers on an unprecedented tour of his life, exploring the people who influenced him and the events that shaped him: from humiliating high school embarrassments to the grit and guts that led to four Super Bowl titles. Mean Joe Greene: Built By Football is the inside story of how a series of mentors, mindset changes and maybe some luck helped a young man turn a scholarship offer from a small college in Texas into a selection as an All-American, a first-round draft pick in the NFL and a life in football that would net him six Super Bowl rings, including two as a coach. As the first book in the Football Matters' 'Built By Football' series, Greene discusses how football helped shape his character, his leadership skills, taught him humility and integrity, and helped him learn the lessons he would use throughout his life as a player, husband, father, friend and coach.
Black Aces
An essential collection of stories from notable Black hockey players, personalities and people The game of hockey has long been considered a predominantly white sport in nearly every facet of its being. But if you look through the annals of the game, you will find Black players who have created longstanding hockey moments. We know -- or think we know -- these people as hockey players. But do we know how they got here as people? And what about the multitude of factors that have helped shape who they are? Black Aces tells these stories, going deeper than what has previously been covered in traditional media. The Athletic's Julian McKenzie talks to Hall of Famers, Olympic Gold medalists, World Champions, Stanley Cup playoff heroes, and auteurs of hockey history. Completing this modern portrait are the voices of up-and-coming players who look toward the future and defining moments of their own. Includes conversations with Jarome Iginla, Grant Fuhr, Sarah Nurse, P.K. Subban, Georges Laraque, Anson Carter, Blake Bolden, and more
Mean Joe Greene
Many years before he would anchor the most-feared, most-successful defense the NFL had ever seen, Joe Greene was just a big kid from Temple, Texas who was a timid, self-admitted awful athlete struggling to find his confidence as a teenager being raised by a single mother. In his compelling, eye-opening autobiography, Greene takes readers on an unprecedented tour of his life, explaining the people who influenced him and the events that shaped him, from humiliating high school embarrassments to the grit and guts that led to four Super Bowl titles. Mean Joe Greene: Built By Football is the inside story of how a series of mentors, mindset changes and maybe some luck helped a young man turn a scholarship offer from a small college in Texas into a selection as an All-American, a first-round draft selection in the NFL and a life in in football that would net him six Super Bowl rings, including two as a coach. As the first book in the Football Matters' 'Built By Football' series, Greene discusses how football helped shape his character, his leadership skills, taught him humility and integrity, and helped him learn the lessons he would use throughout his life as a player, husband, father, friend and coach.
POUNCE - How Not To Lose Your Ass Betting Pro Football
Pounce is for the millions of people who love the action and challenge of betting pro football--but don't want to lose, or continue to lose, their ass. In this informative pocket-sized memoir, filled with tips and techniques, the author explains his winning methods, developed over fifty years of betting the NFL...and shares some colorful personal anecdotes along the way!
Ron Shandler's 2026 Baseball Forecaster
For more than 35 years, the very best in baseball predictions and statistics The industry's longest-running publication for baseball analysts and fantasy leaguers, Ron Shandler's Baseball Forecaster, published annually since 1986, is the first book to approach prognostication by breaking performance down into its component parts. Rather than predicting batting average, for instance, this resource looks at the elements of skill that make up any given batter's ability to distinguish between balls and strikes, his propensity to make contact with the ball, and what happens when he makes contact--reverse engineering those skills back into batting average. The result is an unparalleled forecast of baseball abilities and trends for the upcoming season and beyond.
The Final Blitz
"He's the league's biggest liability.She's the only one who can save him."When star defensive lineman Brick Turner becomes the headline no team wants, the league sends in damage control.Enter Natalie Brooks-sharp, disciplined, and immune to charm.Natalie doesn't babysit egos. She controls narratives.Brick doesn't follow rules. He breaks them.Assigned to manage the most volatile player in professional football, Natalie steps into a locker room crackling with tension, resentment, and unspoken loyalties. Every move is watched. Every word could end a career. And Brick? He makes it clear he doesn't want saving.But beneath the anger and defiance lies a man pushed to the edge-by pressure, expectations, and a past that refuses to stay buried.As the season spirals toward its breaking point, boundaries blur, trust is tested, and control becomes a dangerous game. One wrong step could destroy everything they've worked for-on the field and off it.The Final Blitz is a grumpy-sunshine, enemies-to-lovers football romance about power, discipline, and choosing growth when walking away would be easier.Perfect for readers who love: Sports romance with emotional depthStrong, career-driven heroinesRedemption arcs and forced proximityClosed-door romance with high tension
7 Swings at 7
What made Mickey Mantle, "The Mick?" What inspired the reverence of millions of fans? In retirement, how did his popularity grow even as his reputation sank? Why, long after his death, is Mantle memorabilia more coveted than ever?No one is better equipped to answer these questions than Rob Weir, a PhD in American social history and a Mantle idolizer since the age of five. In his new book, 7 Swings at 7, Dr. Weir combines scholarly research with the powerful emotions of a fan to illuminate the "Mantle Mystique" in a way no one has before.Delve into: How 1950s culture both made possible Mantle's stardom and fueled his demise.How a small-town Oklahoma boy conquered New York City during a time of major social change.The awe-inspiring courage The Mick showed while battling endless injuries.His sincere modesty, that endeared him to fans, teammates, and opponents alike.The myth and reality behind his mammoth home runs.The unexpected riches and deep personal pain Mantle endured in his later years.7 Swings at 7 captures the full breadth of Mantle the ballplayer and Mantle the man-from the World Series rings, legendary 500-foot home runs, and stratospheric popularity, to his regrets, personal struggles, and private sorrows. It is the story of a hero, a legend, and a flawed man, living in a culture that both deified and vilified him.
The Intelligent Golf Swing
"The Single Plane Swing has dramatically improved my game. I've gone from really terrible to just terrible." --Larry David, Emmy award-winning comedian, writer, actor and television producer Unlock the Natural Golf Swing That's Already Within You In The Intelligent Golf Swing, Todd Graves partners with an artificial intelligence to explore the biomechanics behind Moe Norman's legendary swing. Through an engaging dialogue that pairs human insight with advanced reasoning, Graves and his intelligent companion uncover the body's natural movement patterns that form the Single Plane Swing-and reveal why traditional golf instruction often fights against them. This isn't about revolutionary change-it's about evolutionary discovery. Instead of overhauling your swing with complex techniques, Graves's simple approach helps you return to the natural motion your body was built to make. It's not about adding more-it's about removing what's in the way. Enriched with stories and insights about the incomparable Moe Norman, this guide offers struggling golfers a clear path forward to discovering the efficient, powerful motions that made Moe Norman a legend. Your body already knows how to swing like Moe Norman. Now it's time to let that knowledge transform your game.
Bat, Bowl and Beyond
Cricket is a simple game on the surface. Bat, bowl, field, score. Yet anyone who has stepped onto a pitch knows there is far more to learn. Bat, Bowl and Beyond is the complete, confidence-building guide that takes you from first swing to full knowledge.Designed for players, parents, coaches and clubs at every level, this book goes deeper than the basics. It explains the techniques, tactics and teamwork that help cricketers grow season by season. From choosing the right grip and stance, to understanding field settings, game plans and the spirit of cricket, you will learn the skills that make the difference.Inside you will find clear explanations, helpful diagrams, images and coaching insights. Batting, bowling, wicketkeeping and fielding each have their own dedicated sections. Plus, there is guidance scoring, club roles and how to build inclusive teams that welcome everyone, as well as the history of the game and the evolution of everything from equipment to the governing bodies of today.With a Foreword by Dr Jane Powell, President of Yorkshire County Cricket Club, this is a book rooted in real experience of grassroots cricket and a passion for developing the game.Whether you are starting out or looking to sharpen your performance, Bat, Bowl and Beyond will help you enjoy cricket with knowledge, purpose and confidence. Step out to the middle ready to play your best.
Bat, Bowl and Beyond
Cricket is a simple game on the surface. Bat, bowl, field, score. Yet anyone who has stepped onto a pitch knows there is far more to learn. Bat, Bowl and Beyond is the complete, confidence-building guide that takes you from first swing to full knowledge.Designed for players, parents, coaches and clubs at every level, this book goes deeper than the basics. It explains the techniques, tactics and teamwork that help cricketers grow season by season. From choosing the right grip and stance, to understanding field settings, game plans, match pressure and the spirit of cricket, you will learn the skills that make the difference.Inside you will find clear explanations, images, training tips and coaching insights. Batting, bowling, wicketkeeping and fielding each have their own dedicated sections. Plus, there is a full history and evolution of the game as we know it today from how the equipment came into being down to the present governing bodies of the game.With a Foreword by Dr Jane Powell, President of Yorkshire County Cricket Club, this is a book rooted in real experience of grassroots cricket and a passion for developing the game.Whether you are starting out or looking to sharpen your performance, Bat, Bowl and Beyond will help you enjoy cricket with knowledge, purpose and confidence. Step out to the middle ready to play your best.
Scotland's International Football Referees
Scottish referees have a rich history in international football, with the very best ranking amongst the world's greatest officials. The book tells their story, providing biographies of all the Scots who have handled international matches - from the early pioneers when international football first started in 1872 through to the current FIFA referees. Many major international appointments have been received by Scottish referees. Their participation in the World Cup is featured, as is the European Championships and other competitions and matches. Tales are told of their little known involvement in Irish and South American football. A record of appointments in international club and country competitions is presented.Insights are provided on the workings of FIFA and UEFA, to give context of the environment in which the referees operate, and on the evolution of the Scottish Football Association's selection process to decide which officials should be nominated for FIFA's List of International Referees.International assistant referees are not overlooked. Career summaries are included for them in recognition the vital role they perform.Referees are special people in football. At international level, the expectations placed on them to perform to the highest standards are huge. For as long as football has been played, Scotland's international referees have forged an excellent reputation for their capabilities and they have much to be proud of. Referees will generally fade from memory as the years pass by and perhaps only a few of the really famous referees will be recalled. They all deserve to be remembered and recognised. The book commemorates their careers and is a tribute to their achievements.
Zokology
This honest, funny, and unforgettable memoir follows Zokol's 22-year golf journey through talent, self-sabotage, classic rock, and the game that nearly broke him. Like it or not, playing golf will pull you inside out and expose your soul -- and there's no place to hide. Zokology isn't just a book about golf. It's about learning to think when the way you've always thought is no longer working. And for Dick Zokol, that meant learning how to navigate the noise in his head and figuring out how to survive on the PGA Tour Zokol's Cinderella story began when he "walked on" the Brigham Young University golf team. Four years later, he captained BYU to victory in the NCAA championship. Later that summer, he won the Canadian Amateur and got through the notorious PGA Tour Q-School. But the fairy tale ended, and Zokol struggled as a rookie on the PGA Tour. Dealing with intense anxiety, expectations, and feeling he didn't belong, he battled the loneliness of life on the road. He was soon desperately searching for something that would help him find solid ground. From here, Zokol opens up about the real stuff -- the mental and emotional toil that defined his 22 years on the PGA Tour. His two wins on the PGA Tour, both in 1992, were evidence his path had taken hold. In his career, Zokol played over 450 Tour events and learned success wasn't about the golf swing -- success and failure are about your mind. Employing a thought protocol can get you through those difficult situations. Zokology is raw, real, and sometimes uncomfortable. It's a guide for when you get off track -- on the course or just in your own mind.
The Incredible Philadelphia Phillies Trivia Book
Become a Phillies expert with these tough questions! The Incredible Philadelphia Phillies Trivia Book tests and expands your knowledge on your favorite baseball team--covering players' careers from their rookie season and the All-Star Game to Cooperstown and beyond! In this collection of 300 questions, seasoned baseball writers Kevin Reavy and Ryan Spaeder test your level of expertise on all things Phils. Some of the many questions that Reavy and Spaeder pose include: Who played the most games in Phillies history? (Mike Schmidt, with 2,404 games)Which pitcher has the most Opening Day starts? (Steve Carlton, with seventeen)Can you name the manager that has the most wins in franchise history with a losing record? (Gene Mauch, who went 646-684 as manager of the Phillies)Which number has been worn by the most players? (#34 has been worn by sixty-three players)Stars and managers--past and present--from the City of Brotherly Love are represented, from Chuck Klein to Bryce Harper, Richie Ashburn to Bobby Abreu, Steve Carlton to Aaron Nola, Darren Daulton to Carlos Ruiz, Harry Wright to Charlie Manuel, and everyone in between. The Incredible Philadelphia Phillies Trivia Book is the definitive test for knowledgeable Phillies fans!
The Art Of Lawn Tennis
The art of lawn tennis offers guidance on mastering a sport that blends precision, control, and personal discipline. The book introduces tennis not only as a physical activity but as a craft that rewards patience, practice, and awareness. It explains that strong performance begins with understanding the basics, including footwork, grip, timing, and the ability to track the ball with complete focus. The opening emphasizes that progress comes from building a stable foundation, where every movement is intentional and shaped by purpose. The text encourages players to study their own habits, recognize weaknesses, and develop consistent form before attempting advanced strokes. It presents the game as a balance between strategic thinking and refined execution, suggesting that the path to improvement requires concentration and a steady mindset. Tennis becomes a way to cultivate mental clarity, resilience, and confidence. By encouraging steady practice and attention to detail, the book shows that skill grows naturally from disciplined effort. It inspires readers to treat the court as a space for growth, where persistence leads to mastery and enjoyment becomes deeper through understanding.
Cunba
Discover the Wildest Basketball League on Earth. It's not in a stadium. It's in a remote mountain village. The prize is a cow. And the crowd is louder than the NBA Finals. Welcome to "CunBA" (Village Basketball Association)--the viral grassroots phenomenon that has taken the sports world by storm. Deep in the lush mountains of Guizhou, China, basketball is more than a game; it is a religion. There are no tickets, no corporate sponsors, and no million-dollar contracts. But when the whistle blows, over 30,000 villagers pack the stands, banging pots and pans, cheering for players who are farmers by day and legends by night. In CunBA: Hoops, Hope, and Heart of China's Mountain Courts, award-winning journalist Cao Wen takes you courtside to witness this electrifying subculture. Through immersive storytelling and vibrant photography, you will discover: The Purest Passion: Why basketball has become the heartbeat of rural China. The Stakes: A tournament where village pride (and a prize goat) is on the line. The People: Meet the "Grassroots Curries" and "Village Jordans" who play for the love of the game.
Willow The King
In the heart of the English countryside, where the crack of willow on leather echoes through the air, a cricket match unfolds with all the charm and tension of a bygone era. This cricket fiction novel, now republished by Alpha Editions after being out of print for decades, captures the essence of sportsmanship and rivalry that defines the classic British novel. As the village teams clash on the verdant pitch, the story delves into the intricate dynamics of team spirit themes, where camaraderie and competition dance in a delicate balance. Set in the early 20th century, this tale is a vivid portrait of sports literature, celebrating not just the game of cricket but the very fabric of English society. It appeals to cricket enthusiasts and sports history readers alike, offering a nostalgic journey to a time when the sport was as much about honour and tradition as it was about skill and strategy. The narrative, reminiscent of the PG Wodehouse style and the wit of Jerome K Jerome, is a delightful exploration of human nature and the quirks that accompany it. This edition is not just a reprint-it's a collector's item and a cultural treasure, lovingly restored for today's and future generations. Immerse yourself in this cricket match story, where every ball bowled and every run scored is a testament to the enduring spirit of the game.
Big League Baseball - A History, Volume 1
Opening in 1871 with the founding of baseball's first professional league and closing in 1893 when the modern pitching distance was established at sixty feet six inches, this is the first volume of author Paul DeFonzo's epic illustrated history of Big League Baseball.
Top Tips for Football Mums & Great Sideline Chat!
"A lovely, fun-filled guide to life on the touchline - full of informative tips and suggestions" KitAid Charity From accidental spectator to sideline superstar - discover the ultimate survival guide for football mums. Tania Young cuts through the confusion with straight-talking advice on everything from decoding 'top bins' to choosing the perfect boots. Whether you're bewildered by match lengths or bamboozled by insiders' jargon, this no-nonsense handbook will become your secret weapon. Learn the unwritten rules of football parenting that no one tells you about, packed with tried and tested tips that transform weekend matches from mystery to mastery. Practical, witty and refreshingly honest, Top Tips for Football Mums & Great Sideline Chat is your passport to the beautiful game. Because when your child lives for football, you need more than just enthusiasm - you need know-how.
The Subway Series
From the Bridegrooms and Giants to the Mets and Yankees, discover 136 years of epic clashes that made the Subway Series a legendary rivalry.For nearly thirty years, the modern-day tradition of the Subway Series has featured epic moments and iconic players squaring off to capture ultimate New York baseball bragging rights. With origins predating the advent of Gotham City's subway system in 1904, the clash between New York's original American Association (AA) clubs: the Metropolitans and Atlantics along with their original National League (NL) baseball counterpart, the Gothams, is a tradition that dates back over 143 years. After adopting new nicknames in the seasons following their inception, the Yankees, formerly known as the Highlanders (AL), met the Dodgers (Brooklyn transferred to NL in 1890) and Giants, a combined thirteen times in the World Series. Unfortunately, both of New York's NL clubs left for the West Coast following the 1957 MLB season. Upon Branch Rickey and William Shea delivering NL baseball back to New York in 1962, the revival of The Mayor's Trophy Game saw the Amazin's and Pinstripes lock horns in exhibition play for parts of nineteen years from 1963-79 and-1982-83. Following a 14-year hiatus in the area rivalry, the modern-day Subway Series took shape in 1997; conjuring up the same mystique and bad blood that existed in the late nineteenth century. Tag along on a memorable journey into New York baseball's celebrated past to relive the truly unforgettable milestones and legendary moments that built the Subway Series into the longstanding rivalry that it is today.
Before They Wore Dodger Blue
The Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers were always groundbreakers on the player-development front, and when MLB instituted an amateur player draft in 1965, the Dodgers were ready: by 1968, the disciplined front office and scouting department put together what is still considered today as the greatest draft class in pro baseball history.That year, the Dodgers drafted six future All-Stars-Doyle Alexander, Bill Buckner, Ron Cey, Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, and Tom Paciorek, who would be selected for a combined 23 All-Star games-plus Joe Ferguson, Bobby Valentine, and Geoff Zahn. Most of these draftees-joined at various stops by Tommy Hutton, Charlie Hough, and Bill Russell-would form the core of outstanding minor-league teams as well as Dodgers teams featuring a remarkably stable infield that would play together for eight years, highlighted by a 1981 World Series win. It's widely regarded as the best draft class ever, and the 1970 Spokane Indians-featuring most of that draft class, led by Tommy Lasorda-one of the greatest minor-league clubs ever.How the Dodgers put together that legendary draft class and how they were developed by Lasorda is told in Before They Wore Dodger Blue: Tommy Lasorda and the Greatest Draft Class in Baseball History, Eric Vickrey's exhaustively researched history of the development of the 1968 Los Angeles Dodgers draft class. Key to the development of this draft class: Lasorda, who worked his way through the minors as the manager of virtually all these draftees at stops in Pocatello, Ogden, Albuquerque, and Spokane, culminating in his appointment as Walt Alston's replacement as Dodger manager near the end of the 1976 season.Cey, Russell, Lopes, and Garvey proceeded to form an All-Star infield that would play together for an unprecedented eight and a half consecutive seasons. That foursome, along with other homegrown stars and pieces acquired through trades involving the '68 draft class, carried the Dodgers to three National League pennants in the 1970s and a World Series title in 1981 under Lasorda."[Tommy] Lasorda developed into a master," said Bobby Valentine, the leading light in the draft class before injuries cut his career short, in an interview with the author. "His baseball acumen, his ability to manage a game is always overshadowed by his persona. He was a spectacular in-game manager. He knew when to put on a hit-and-run. When a guy was in a slump, he'd give him a high-five when he came into the dugout. That would boost the guy's confidence for the next at-bat. He knew when to take a pitcher out, when to leave him in, when to challenge him, when to take a kid out for a private dinner, and when to scold a kid in front of the entire team."
Rise of the Villans
Featuring exclusive interviews with Unai Emery, Monchi, Ollie Watkins, John McGinn, Pau Torres and more, this is the behind-the-scenes account of Unai Emery's Aston Villa revolution, from the award-winning Sunday Times bestseller Guillem Balagu矇. In October 2022, Unai Emery was appointed manager of Aston Villa. Despite being one of England's most historic football clubs, Emery was taking charge of a team in turmoil and hovering above the relegation zone in the Premier League. But in his very first match, Villa produced a statement victory, deftly beating Manchester United 3-1 at Villa Park. It was a sign of things to come. Guillem Balagu矇 has had unparalleled access to Unai Emery, his backroom staff and the Aston Villa squad ever since the Spaniard was appointed manager in 2022. From Emery's early years growing up in the Basque region to becoming one of the most exciting coaches managing today, Rise of the Villans reveals the inner workings of Emery's psyche. Featuring exclusive interviews with Emery himself, as well as key players such as Villa captain John McGinn and star striker Ollie Watkins, it charts the journeys of both Emery and Aston Villa over the last three decades, offering a comprehensive and compelling narrative of why they are the perfect match. Exploring Emery's management of the Midlands side, the book outlines how he has transformed them into an exciting side renowned for their direct passing, high energy and devastating counter attacks. After a 7th placed finish in his first season in charge, Emery's Villa continued their fine form in the 2023-24 season, finishing 4th and qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in over four decades. With the Holte End roaring into life as Villa Park welcomed the return of European football's most prestigious club competition, it was clear for all to see: Unai Emery had awoken the sleeping giant.
The Biography of Tottenham Hotspur
New Sixth edition of this bestselling title - a warm and evocative history of Tottenham Hotspur that gets to the heart and soul of the famous London football club. Packed with wonderful stories - from the formation of the club to the present day - and the memories of legendary players, managers, supporters and other key figures, The Biography of Tottenham Hotspur brings the rich history of Spurs to life. First published in 2012, with further editions in 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2024, this sixth edition brings the story right up to date and covers the 2025 Europa League success victory in Bilbao - Tottenham's first silverware in 17 years.
My Greatest Day in Football
Great games remembered by legendary players and coaches "For folks who have been around for a while, this book will conjure up many a great memory. And for younger readers, it will provide a fine history lesson and some excellent insight into the way the sport has evolved."--From the foreword by Beano Cook First published in 1948, My Greatest Day in Football is a collection of reminiscences and stories from football's early stars. College football games were the most memorable moments for many of these players and coaches, though some highlight professional and even high school games. Sam "Slingin' Sammy" Baugh recounts the National League Championship game played at Wrigley Field during his rookie season; Felix A. "Doc" Blanchard, nicknamed "Mr. Inside" for his powerful running attack, describes the triumphant day when Army ended its thirteen-year losing streak to Notre Dame; and Glenn Scobie "Pop" Warner explains why a tough battle against Cal was his greatest day, even though his Stanford team was not victorious. George "the Gipper" Gipp, Knute Rockne, and Paul Brown, who perhaps provides the most surprising game of all, are all included in My Greatest Day in Football. While not all of the thirty-five contributors' names may be immediately recognizable, all their stories are entertaining and rich with nostalgia. Editors Goodman and Lewin introduce each subject with a brief summary of his career and provide the lineup and statistics of each great game. Football fans everywhere will enjoy this flashback to the game's early days.
Opening Day
"Opening Day offers great players, high stakes, and the hinge of history turning as a new era in Cleveland sports begins. Knight exhaustively chronicles the first game at Jacobs Field against the Mariners and it is clear that a whole different brand of Cleveland Indians has come to Cleveland."--Bill Livingston, Cleveland Plain Dealer "I thought I knew everything worth knowing about the first game at Jacobs Field. But Jonathan Knight surprised me with his exhaustively researched account. He also manages to weave in all sorts of Tribe history, such as a cool story about the first opening day at League park. Can't say I remember much about that one!"--Bob Dyer, Akron Beacon Journal Opening Day is sportswriter Jonathan Knight's inning-by-inning look at the opening game at Jacobs Field on April 4, 1994. New home to the Cleveland Indians, "The Jake" was for fans symbolic of the team's turnaround. For the regional community this ballpark marked the beginning of Cleveland's long-awaited renaissance. The redemption of the Indians began in 1986, when the Jacobs brothers, Richard and David, purchased the underfinanced and mismanaged franchise. And despite a devastating 1991 season, when the Tribe lost a record 105 games and finished in last place, 34 games behind the division-leading Toronto Blue Jays, the team and its fans persevered. The Jacobs' legacy culminated in the opening of Jacobs Field, variously described as "a jewel" and Cleveland's "field of dreams," in the spring of 1994. The Indians made more postseason appearances in their first five years at Jacobs Field than in the previous ninety-three seasons of franchise history. Author Jonathan Knight skillfully recaptures memorable moments from opening days of the past, creating this story that shows how the fortunes of the team and the city converged. On that day in early April, the Indians and the City of Cleveland together experienced a true opening day--one in which the past was forgotten and the future was clear and bright.
Architects of Glory - The Greatest Coaches in the History of the World Cup
The National Pastime, 2026
The 2026 edition of The National Pastime brings us to the shores of Lake Erie, as SABR's national convention visits Cleveland for the first time since 2008. In addition to historical looks at Cleveland teams such as the nineteenth century Blues and Spiders and the Negro Leagues Cleveland Buckeyes, we examine Telling's Strollers, an amateur team that drew a reported 91,000 fans to a single game. Articles also range around the Great Lake, from the Canadian side to the PONY League, and to Toledo for a piece on Jim Weber, longtime voice of the Mudhens. On the contemporary side, this issue also includes analyses of home runs at Progressive Field and the recent game-fixing gambling scandal."The Staging of One of Baseball's Most Famous Images" by Luke EpplinOn October 9, 1948, the Cleveland Indians, up two games to one in a tightly contested World Series against the Boston Braves, turned to a spare part in their pitching rotation. Even though it'd been three weeks since Steve Gromek had last started, in Game Four he matched Braves ace Johnny Sain pitch for pitch. It wouldn't have been enough if another unlikely player hadn't bailed him out. In the third inning Larry Doby, the first Black player in the American League, someone who hadn't even been slated to crack the Indians' roster coming out of spring training, roped a Sain curveball over the chain-link fence in right field at Cleveland Stadium, granting Gromek a two-run cushion--just enough for him to cruise to a 2-1 victory. In the Indians clubhouse afterward, Gromek, the son of Polish immigrants from Hamtramck, Michigan, sought out Doby, the descendant of enslaved ancestors from Camden, South Carolina. Newspaper photographers snapped an image of the two locked in a cheek-to-cheek embrace, their eyes nearly shut in ecstasy. The following morning the picture ran on front pages across a country still beset with segregation, the first image that many Americans would've seen of white and Black colleagues celebrating a shared accomplishment together. Those are the bare bones of how a photo that retains its power and meaning more than three quarters of a century later came into being. But what if it's more complicated than that? What if that image had been staged? Would that dilute its significance?"MLB Clubs on Lake Erie During the Late Nineteenth Century" by Woody EckardMany historians assign the 1884 Toledo club a special place in baseball history as the first MLB team with a black player, six decades before the Brooklyn Dodger's Jacky Robinson in 1947. Moses Fleetwood Walker was the first string catcher for the first half of the season, playing openly as a Black man, and appearing in 42 Toledo games in his only MLB season. However other baseball historians suggest William White as a possible candidate. At age 18 and while a member of the Dartmouth College nine, his only MLB appearance was in a single home game for the nearby 1879 NL Providence club as a fill-in for an injured regular player. He apparently lived his life "passing" as a White man, a fact discovered in the twenty-first century. There is no evidence that anyone present at his sole MLB game was aware that he was Black."Bob Feller, the Johnny Appleseed of Home Run Derbies" by Larry DeFillipoDuring baseball season, Bob Feller made it his business to visit dozens of minor-league ballparks, spending time at some for what were variously called "pitching demonstrations," "home run hitting contests" or "pitching exhibitions." Just as Johnny Appleseed wore a trademark tin hat when spreading seeds (or so the urban legend says), so too was Feller garbed in familiar togs during those events, which can collectively be called home run derbies. With few exceptions, Feller wore an Indians uniform bearing the number 19 that he wore throughout his storied career. Unlike All-Star Game home run derbies that 21st-century fans are familiar with, Feller's minor-league derbies took place before regular season games, in fro
America Tees Off
In 1887 a linen salesman from New York City visited the Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland, considered to be the oldest golf course in the world. While there, he visited the shop of golf legend Old Tom Morris. He purchased six clubs and some balls. Soon after his return home, this purchase triggered a golf explosion that would soon see America not only take up the game but also take it over. America Tees Off tracks golf's impact on the country and the game since this historic purchase, with dozens of wide-ranging stories from when the game first took hold in the United States to the present day. These stories cover both the great amateur and professional players, as well as the golf adventures of average players and the not-so-average, like U.S. presidents, athletes in other sports, Hollywood stars, and the mega-wealthy. You'll read about what was thought to be a highly questionable land purchase in the Sandhills of North Carolina in 1895 that led to the golf mecca of Pinehurst, how Babe Didrikson Zaharias's husband used his cigar to give her assistance during tournament play, and how the scientist who worked on the atomic bomb at Los Alamos helped President Eisenhower improve his game. America Tees Off also covers the effect of American ingenuity on the game's equipment and how the sport was televised. These lesser-known, behind-the-scenes true stories will entertain and inform the most serious golf enthusiasts as well as those just getting into the sport's colorful history.
The Parents' Guide to Raising a Lacrosse Player
The Parents' Guide to Raising a Lacrosse Player: A Mental Health Approach, helps parents and players to understand the impact that mental health issues have on an athlete. This book not only raises awareness but gives both parents and players concrete strategies to cope with these adversities. Erica Dixon is a licensed clinical professional counselor and a licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor. She has over 29 years of experience treating a wide range of mental health and behavioral issues. She owns a private practice in Maryland where she resides with her husband, Mark and two sons. This book began as a way for Erica to process her own feelings after her oldest lacrosse player was hospitalized during his freshman season. She extended the book to include chapters about her own clients; other collegiate lacrosse players struggling with mental health issues. As a result, a short book took form. So, throw it in your bag and read it during halftime. Erica's sincere hope is that this book helps at least one reader.
Hoggy
The quintessential barking-mad Yorkshire cricketer, 'Hoggy's' record-breaking bowling exploits for England allied to his humorous, uniquely oddball yet hugely endearing attitude to sport and life makes this essential reading for all lovers of the game. More than just a line-and-length cricketer's biography, Hoggy offers an entertaining insight into the weird and wonderful world of one of cricket's true characters. From the pub to the wicket and everywhere in-between, the dogged nightwatchman and wicket-taker looks beyond the runs and wickets to reveal what cricketers really get up to on tour and in the dressing room ...
Playing The Game
Who would win a penalty shoot-out between an elephant and the captain of Aylesbury United?Playing the Game reveals the answer - just one of the astonishing stories from the football club's early history, from its foundation in 1897 to the post-war years.For the first time author Mike Snell divulges the fascinating tales behind the players, the matches, the rivalries, and the trophies, as football fever started to sweep the country and the game became part of the national consciousness.Learn the circumstances and characters behind Aylesbury United's formation, the team that delivered the club's first silverware, the players that never returned from the two World Wars, as well as the two brothers who came to England to escape the holocaust and went on to represent both the Ducks and the USA as internationals - and much more.This book also includes individual player and team statistics from formation to the start of the Second World War.
I Can't Stop Thinking about Var
SHORTLISTED IN THE CHARLES TYRWHITT SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2025 LONGLISTED FOR THE 2025 WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR Is it football any more? 'Fascinating and persuasive' The Herald 'Everyone involved in the VAR controversy should read this short, beautifully-written book and think again' Sir Michael Barber In 2019, the English Premier League introduced the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), a way of using technology to review and correct the on-field referee's decisions. It's been a disaster: players hate it, managers hate it, pundits line up to pour scorn on its decisions, and fans have coined the chant 'it's not football any more' to describe its effect on the game. Almost every other sport in the world has managed to integrate technology into its decision-making process. Why is football failing so badly? Is it a special case, or have the game's authorities got something wrong? And what does the controversy about VAR tell us about the nature of authority, rationality and technology in the 21st century?
Wisden Cricketers' Almanack 2026
*Standard hardback edition* The most famous sports book in the world, Wisden Cricketers' Almanack has been published every year since 1864. In this 163rd edition, Tanya Aldred looks at cricket's historic links with the mining community and Harry Pearson goes on a nostalgic journey around the vanished grounds of the county game. As tension between India and Pakistan reached breaking point, threatening the equilibrium of the global game, Gideon Haigh delves into a long and complex relationship. Osman Samiuddin reports on the headlong fall of Imran Khan, while Derek Pringle remembers Dickie Bird. As usual, Wisden includes the eagerly awaited Notes by the Editor, the Cricketers of the Year awards, and the authoritative obituaries. There are reports and scorecards for every Test, together with forthright opinion, compelling features and comprehensive records. "There can't really be any doubt about the cricket book of the year, any year: it's obviously Wisden." Andrew Baker, The Daily Telegraph @WisdenAlmanack
The Soccer 100
A celebration of the beautiful game and its 100 greatest players, from the pre-World War II exploits of Dixie Dean to the modern-day genius of Kylian Mbapp矇 and Lionel MessiThese players left legacies, redefined the game with trademark skills, and grew into national icons. They have their stats--the goals, the wins, the trophies--but, more importantly, they have their stories. One World Cup winner owned a nightclub that briefly transformed a corner of industrial Germany into one of the hippest places around. An Austrian forward's death is still shrouded in mystery. A striker who might have become a telephone technician had he not been spotted playing soccer was eventually elected president of his country. And there are unanswered questions. How did Pel矇's Brazil shirt from the 1958 World Cup quarterfinal go missing in a Welsh school? Which goalkeeper was so good that one opponent considered scoring against him akin to "winning a trophy"?Through extensive research and interviews, The Athletic soccer staff, led by Oliver Kay and James Horncastle, discovered angles and tales that shine a new light on the sport's most compelling characters.They faced an impossible riddle, too: Of the thousands of players to hit the pitch, who is the best? Their efforts to find the answer took the foremost sports newsroom on a journey, and what emerges is more than a ranking. Through all-new, vivid portraits of each athlete, The Soccer 100 is a tribute to the greatest players to have ever graced the most popular sport on the planet.
