Playfair Cricket Annual 2025
The UK's bestselling cricket annual returns - it's the indispensable pocket guide to the summer. The 78th edition of the Playfair Cricket Annual is packed with all the information you need to follow the cricket season in 2025, as well as a review of events during the previous twelve months. India, South Africa, West Indies and Zimbabwe will all be touring England this coming summer, and here you'll find comprehensive Test match and limited-overs records and career records to help you follow the action. County cricket is covered in unrivalled depth, with biographies of all players registered to the counties at the start of the season, full coverage of last summer's events and a fixture list for all major domestic matches in 2025. There are also sections on women's cricket, the IPL and The Hundred. For any cricket fan, the season is never complete without a copy of Playfair to guide you through it all.
Soccer Scandals
Explore the dark side of football, from match-fixing and corruption to riots and scandalous tragedies.It was Pel矇 who popularised the idea of football as 'the Beautiful Game' and so it is. But football also has its uglier side.As far back as the Edwardian era matches were 'fixed' to benefit gamblers, or to help clubs desperately in need of points to win promotion or to avoid relegation.There have been matches so brutal that on one occasion it was necessary for the BBC to precede televised highlights with a warning to viewers that what they were about see was 'appalling, disgusting, disgraceful'.Crowd disorders, inadequate policing, and stadiums left in disrepair have resulted in loss of life and added to the scandals that have scarred 'the Beautiful Game' and caused public outrage.From Bolton to Brussels, Manchester to Montevideo, Seoul to Santiago, football has seen many dark chapters, many tragedies and more than a few shady characters, from the goalkeeper who offered not to 'accidently' let in goals to the referee who was arrested with 13lbs of heroin hidden in his underpants.Soccer Scandals: When the Beautiful Game Turned Ugly tells of the high-ranking officials who were at the centre of some of the most remarkable widespread corruptions that football has ever seen, of the betting rings involving unscrupulous players and referees, of doping, blackmail and phone taps, of 'shameful savagery' on the pitch and riots off it, even of suicide and attempted murder.It is the stuff of pulp fiction rather than of just games and goals and Saturday heroes. It is the ugly side of the game that Pel矇 found so beautiful.
Still Growing, Still Learning, Still Me
"Kenny Stills, a [former] wide receiver on the Miami Dolphins . . . quietly [became] the on-field face of the movement Colin Kaepernick started in 2016 . . . Stills wants to use his visibility to shine a light on police brutality, economic inequality, and other forms of social injustice." --New York Times KENNY STILLS IS A FORMER NFL WIDE RECEIVER, ACTIVIST, and advocate for social justice. Over a nine-year career in the league, he made his mark not only as a deep-threat playmaker but also as a fearless voice for change. Stills used his platform to protest racial injustice, standing alongside Colin Kaepernick and others to push for systemic reform. His commitment to advocacy extended beyond the field, working with grassroots organizations and engaging in community outreach to create meaningful impact.Stills's journey also led him to deeper questions about identity, purpose, and healing. After years of external accomplishments, he turned inward, prioritizing therapy, mindset, and self-discovery. Through personal reflection, psychedelics, and a commitment to mental well-being, he began a transformative path toward inner peace, learning that true fulfillment comes from within.In Still Growing, Still Learning, Still Me, Stills shares his story of resistance, redemption, and renewal. He opens up about the highs and lows of his life, the lessons learned through activism, and the importance of joy and self-care. This book is an invitation to others to embrace growth, challenge societal expectations, and find their own path to healing.
The Playing Lesson
You are cordially invited to join Michael Bamberger on a year-long golfing adventure--playing alongside the pros of the PGA Tour, the LPGA Tour, LIV Golf, and more--as he seeks to unlock golf's most stubborn secrets in various and surprising ways, all in the name of...improvement! Nearly fifty years after taking up the game, Michael Bamberger made a pair of startling discoveries: golf had never meant more to him, and he knew almost nothing about it. He decided to cover himself in green in a whole new way. He spent a year inside the ropes of professional golf--playing, caddying, competing, volunteering, and interviewing--looking for a door into the sport's sanctum sanctorum. In The Playing Lesson: A Duffer's Year Among the Pros, Bamberger goes on the ultimate golfing bender. You've read about St. Andrews before, but here you will experience the home of golf in a whole new way. You'll join the author as he volunteers in one tournament, caddies in others, plays in men's and women's pro-ams, and conducts intimate interviews with elite figures in the game. You'll mooch off the lessons Bamberger takes from instructors, famous and obscure, who teach golf in novel ways. You'll learn how to buy a better golf game. Maybe you've had club fittings, but not like the one Bamberger experiences in various tour trailers. In a pro-am, Bamberger gets driving tips from one of the tour's longest hitters, Jake Knapp. He receives a putting lesson from Brad Faxon. He learns how to hit hook wedges from Gary Player. He lives through the intense pain of Rory McIlroy's misses and rejoices at Lydia Ko's triumphs. He plays Pebble Beach and Royal Oak, a down-home nine-hole public course in Detroit with perfect greens. He receives an unexpected hug from Greg Norman at a LIV Golf event in Miami, along with the words, "Come on in here, you asshole." He spends a lot of time at driving ranges, some of it productive. What Bamberger has done here, when you get right down to it, is create his own tour. The Playing Lesson is a report on a real-life golfing safari, with stops inside the heads of the game's high priests, his own--and yours.
Becoming Caitlin Clark
Combining modern reportage with historical revelations, a multifaceted portrait of Caitlin Clark's game-changing superstardom and the cultural foundation it was built upon Caitlin Clark has established herself as one of the global faces of the WNBA and has ignited popular interest in women's sports. Her ascent to dominance and international celebrity represents the continuation of a surprisingly deep lineage for women's basketball in the state of Iowa where Clark was born and raised, and where she wrote her name throughout the NCAA history books as a Hawkeye. Spanning 100 years and several generations, Becoming Caitlin Clark traces the arc between the revered women who played the wildly popular game of 6-on-6 basketball in the 1920s and Clark in the 2020s, examining her fame and style of play in the context of her predecessors, while telling the story of the basketball-loving community that rallied behind her in college and beyond. Howard Megdal's storytelling incorporates in-depth conversations with Clark; her coach Lisa Bluder; her Iowa teammates, including WNBA star Kate Martin; the top assistant coach at Iowa, Jan Jensen; the Caitlin Clark of the 1970s, Molly Bolin; vital figures in the growth of Iowa basketball like C. Vivian Stringer and Jolette Law; and even Jensen's grandmother Dorcas Andersen, who scored 89 points in the Iowa state tournament in 1921 and kept journals as she did so, brought to light here for the first time. From rural auditoriums to the Indiana Fever's Gainbridge Fieldhouse, this intimate yet kaleidoscopic perspective on the modern game and its newest icon makes this an essential read for WNBA and college basketball fans.
Baseball Like It Oughta Be
When Steve Schmitt committed to summer-collegiate baseball in a city that failed to support pro or college baseball, few expected him to succeed. Here's the inside story of how the Madison Mallards became summer-collegiate baseball's top draw, changed the face of the sport and brought new life to a downtrodden neighborhood and ballpark.Expected to fail in their inaugural 2001 season, the Madison Mallards soon became summer-collegiate baseball's most popular team. Since 2002, the Mallards have become the biggest box-office hit among hundreds of similar teams nationwide, drawing more than 4.3 million fans in team history. Baseball Like It Oughta Be is the phenomenal story of how owner Steve Schmitt, a rural Wisconsin shoe sales marvel, and his young, aggressive staff turned dust into gold. Celebrating their 25th year, the Mallards have an entertaining and hilarious history that combines marketing prowess, customer service and anything-goes promotions with stories ranging from Gary Coleman's outrageous appearance to slugger Pete Alonso's amazing season as a Mallard. Schmitt and team president Vern Stenman turned a downtrodden ballpark into a must-experience destination. The Mallards never went bananas on the field, churning out future pro players. Along the way, they've become one of America's most extraordinary sports teams.The Mallards story follows an owner's obsession; the dreamland of a young marketing director, who quit an NHL front-office job; relentless customer service for their fans; fresh promotions annually; belief in what many viewed as a struggling neighborhood; and the embracement of America's least likely renowned ballpark.
Death in the Strike Zone
He threw the first fastball. The first curveball. He was baseball's first star--and its first tragedy. In Death in the Strike Zone, acclaimed historian Thomas W. Gilbert uncovers the forgotten life of James Creighton, the first American ballplayer to become a national sensation. On the eve of the Civil War, Creighton invented something utterly new in baseball - modern pitching. Creighton was so dominant, so mesmerizing, that the game had to rewrite the rulebook to catch up with him. He is the reason we have a strike zone. Then, in one fateful game he collapsed--and four days later, he was dead at the age of twenty-one. Was it a freak injury or was baseball somehow to blame? Was there a cover-up? Why has Creighton been denied the credit he deserves? Death in the Strike Zone is part biography, part detective story, and part time machine. With vivid storytelling and groundbreaking research, Gilbert revives a vanished era of barehanded fielders, heroes and gamblers, and the strange, thrilling beginnings of America's pastime and sports stardom itself. Death in the Strike Zone is a remarkable journey into the past that will keep you on the edge of your seat and profoundly change how you see the game of baseball.
Unfit and Improper Persons
'A very funny book that tackles some serious football issues.'Gary LinekerEver dreamed of setting up your own football club?Join the team behind The Price of Football podcast as they start a (fictional) football club and discover what's really going on behind the scenes of the beautiful game. Buying a football club will set you back a few quid, but you've also got to pass the Premier League and EFL's 'fit and proper persons test'. That all seems like a bit of a faff to the team behind the award-winning podcast The Price of Football, so acclaimed comedy writer Kevin Day, football finance expert Kieran Maguire and producer Guy Kilty start an imaginary club instead. In Unfit and Improper Persons they take West Park Rovers on a hilarious journey from the lowest level of the FA pyramid right up to the English Football League, the Premier League and, if fortune favours the fictional, into the heart of Europe. At least that's the plan, but inevitably they face a few challenges along the way. Where to find a shirt sponsor? What should the mascot be - is a dog called Rover too obvious? Can they pay the women's team the same as the men's team? (Spoiler alert: hardly anyone else does.) And how can they get Messi to the Kleanwell Stadium next season, like they promised the fans? Unfit and Improper Persons is informed, funny and, thanks to exclusive interviews with those who've been there, done that, it lays bare the labyrinthine world of football finance.
England Expects
Fully revised and updated for the 2010 World Cup Finals, ENGLAND EXPECTS is the definitive history of the England Football team. From the inaugural international matches in the mid-nineteenth century to the advent of Fabio Capello's reign, it is an engrossing and graphic narrative history of the inside stories, dramas and shattered dreams of our nation's footballers. The second edition of ENGLAND EXPECTS is completely revised to include a new introduction, a new chapter detailing all the agonies of the 2006 World Cup and the contrasting fortunes of England's managers since then.
The Unbelieveables
At the beginning of April 2015, newly-promoted Leicester City were seven points adrift at the foot of the Premier League. What happened next was truly extraordinary. Not only did Leicester pull off one of the great escapes to survive in the top flight but they continued their form into the following season. The manager who orchestrated Leicester's promotion and survival, Nigel Pearson, had left the club by then, replaced by the former Chelsea, Juventus and Roma manager Claudio Ranieri. The press gave 'The Tinkerman' no hope of staying the course and the bookies installed Leicester as one of the favourites to be relegated. They were priced at 5,000/1 to win the Premier League. Against all these odds, Leicester built up a lead at the top of the Premier League table that was, by stages, fanciful, improbable, extraordinary and finally insurmountable. On 2 May 2016 Leicester were crowned Premier League champions. The season would make stars of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez. In November, Vardy broke Ruud van Nistelrooy's record by scoring in eleven consecutive Premier League games and he would later be crowned FWA Footballer of the Year. Mahrez's goals and assists, including magnificent solo goals against Chelsea and Manchester City, won him the PFA Player of the Year award. If Arsenal's unbeaten season in 2003/04 saw their team dubbed the Invincibles, then Leicester's exploits in 2015/16 have made them The Unbelievables. This is the story of their season as seen through the eyes of the supporters who have followed them up and down the country with an increasing sense of wonder.
West Ham: The Complete Record
West Ham: The Complete Record is the definitive account of one of English football's most loved clubs, recounting every conceivable detail of its 115 year-long history. Three times FA Cup winners and with a European Cup Winners Cup to their name, West Ham have been involved in some of the most enthralling cup runs in English football history. With names like Bobby Moore, Frank Lampard, Martin Peters, Trevor Brooking and Geoff Hurst having turned out in the famous claret and blue, they are also synonymous with producing some of England's most talented footballers. Club historians John Northcutt and Steve Marsh have spent years trawling through the archives to uncover every concievable fact and figure about the club. In this monumental work they have painstakingly provided details of every game, line up, goalscorer, attendance and result, as well as a plethora of other facts and figures. With full appendixes detailing the careers of the hundreds of players to have turned out for the club and a season by season narrative account of West Ham's history, this is the must-read book for every fan of one of English football's most popular clubs.
Xabi Campe籀n
October 2022: Things look bleak for Bayer Leverkusen. The team struggles in the Bundesliga relegation zone, when a new coach, Xabi Alonso, takes over their fate. June 2024: Bayer Leverkusen concludes the 2023 / 2024 Bundesliga season as German champions and DFB-Pokal winners, securing the domestic double while losing only one game allseason. Shortly afterwards, Spain claims victory at the UEFA European Championship in Germany. What led to this remarkable transformation? What tactical innovations are behind Alonso's dynamic and dominant style? What influential methodologies from Spanish football form the foundation of his philosophy? And why do coaches from the Basque Country? In his book, Tim Stegmann weaves these influences into an engaging tactical portrait of Bayer 04 Leverkusen's championship-winning team and the exceptional leadership of their coach: Xabi Campe籀n!
Bragging Rights
An inside look at the SEC's most prominent programs as they unfolded during the 1999 season, this book includes in-depth profiles of the league's top players and best coaches.
Chelsea: The Complete Record
Chelsea: The Complete Record is the definitive account of one of the world's most popular and powerful clubs, recounting every conceivable detail of its 110 year-long history. Encompassing five league titles, seven FA Cups and five European trophies, Chelsea are one of the most successful clubs in English football's modern history. Chelsea official historian Rick Glanvill and club statistician Paul Dutton have spent years trawling through the archives to uncover every conceivable fact and figure about the club. In this monumental work they have painstakingly provided details of every game, line up, goalscorer, attendance and result, as well as a plethora of other facts and figures. Weighing in at 550 pages and with full appendixes detailing the careers of the hundreds of players to have turned out for the club as well as a season by season narrative account of Chelsea's history, this is the must-read book for every fan of one of European football's modern powerhouses.
Weatherby’S Inning
Step up to the plate with "Weatherby's Inning: A Story of College Life and Baseball," a timeless classic that captures the heart of youth, ambition, and the spirit of the game. After decades out of print, this beloved tale by Ralph Henry Barbour is now beautifully restored and republished by Alpha Editions, offering a rare glimpse into the golden age of college life and America's favorite pastime. Follow Weatherby, a young college student, as he navigates the challenges of academia, friendship, and the baseball diamond. This story is not just about the thrill of the game; it's a poignant exploration of personal growth, camaraderie, and the pursuit of dreams. With its rich narrative and vivid characters, this book is a cultural treasure that resonates with readers of all ages. This edition is more than a reprint; it's a collector's item, meticulously restored for today's and future generations. Whether you're a casual reader or a classic literature aficionado, "Weatherby's Inning" is a must-have addition to your library. Rediscover the magic of a bygone era and let this inspiring story leave a lasting impression on your heart.
Baseball Research Journal (Brj), Volume 54 #1
The Spring 2025 issue of the Baseball Research Journal looks at baseball in many places, including the American prairie (Lawrence, Kansas), the Mexican border (the "Original Cactus League") and north of the border in Canada. We have a statistical look at what Negro Leaguer Josh Gibson's career might have looked like had he played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, an examination of Gus Greenlee's "United States League," and how the Harrisburg Giants avoided the ban on Sunday baseball. We also examine how Walter Alston got the chance to manage the Dodgers--for 23 years, seven pennants, and one world championship--because Charlie Dressen wanted a multi-year contract that the Dodgers refused to grant, and we present profiles of this year's winners of SABR's Chadwick Award: Rob Fitts, Gary Gillette, and the late Richard Malatzky. ON THE COVER: The Harrisburg Giants joined the Eastern Colored League in 1924 with a powerful lineup centered around player-manager Oscar Charleston. With Rap Dixon and Fats Jenkins flanking him, Harrisburg had one of the best outfields in baseball history. Cover art by Gary Cieradkowsi. Ladies of the Night Game: Toronto's Lighted Diamonds and the Women Who Pioneered Playing Under the Stars by Stephen Dame "Despite Hanlan's Point Stadium being home to the Toronto Maple Leafs for 22 seasons, not a single ballgame was ever played at night there, though [temporary] floodlights [were used] whenever a rugby match, football game, or starlit opera required light. In 1930 Sunnyside Stadium... became the first stadium in Toronto to feature purpose-built, permanent floodlights. The 3,000-seat stadium was specifically designed for use by female athletes [and] had been the main women's softball facility in Toronto since 1925. From the day it opened, competitors in three different leagues played in front of huge paying crowds." Scoreboard Numbers vs. Uniform Numbers: The 1931-34 Detroit Tigers and the Letter of the Law by Herm Krabbenhoft "Unlike today, where players are assigned uniform numbers that very rarely change within a season, the ID numbers of players at Navin Field in Detroit could vary from game to game. As was the custom, the ID numbers reflected the batting order, giving the leadoff hitter number 1, the next batter 2, et cetera. A new scorecard had to be bought for each game--or at least for each series, since the scorecards could not be re-used from one series to the next--nor could the numbers be memorized. These constant changes were certainly not fan-friendly." The Impact of Laser Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) on Major League Baseball Batting Performance by M.P. Geiss and David Portney "Some ophthalmology practices advertise LASIK as a means for improved athletic performance, but does LASIK improve performance for MLB players? Professional baseball players have been shown to have incredibly high visual acuity because exceptional visual function is required to succeed in the sport. A significant number of MLB players have publicly acknowledged their history of LASIK, increasing the potential sample size for analysis, and the extraordinary amount of statistical data on MLB player performance allows for direct analyses of consistent performance metrics." And many more articles of interest.
The Soccer Book of Why
How close has the United States ever come to winning a World Cup? (Hint: Closer than you might think!) What American held a world goal-scoring record for eighty-seven years, until it was broken by Lionel Messi? Where did the word soccer come from? And what the heck is the offside rule?Those questions and many more are asked and answered in The Soccer Book of Why (and Who, What, When, Where, and How), by noted soccer journalist and historian Charles Cuttone. The Soccer Book of Why offers readers a lively and informative look at the world's game--its history, traditions, rules, records, quirks, and personalities. Whether the topic is goal scorers or coaches, famous firsts or memorable moments, if a who, what, when, where, why, or how soccer question is on your mind, this is the book for you.
Ford Frick
Many baseball observers have viewed Ford Frick as an ineffective commissioner of Major League Baseball, largely manipulated by the league's owners, and more of an observer than a changemaker during his tenure from 1951 to 1965. Dave Bohmer challenges this perception, presenting Frick as a key figure in some of the massive changes baseball underwent during his thirty-one years as an executive of the Major Leagues, first as National League president for seventeen years and then as commissioner for fourteen. Frick is rarely credited with any Major League accomplishments besides his role in founding the Baseball Hall of Fame, but Bohmer argues that Frick was, in fact, one of baseball history's most effective executives.While National League president, Frick helped save four clubs from bankruptcy, enabling each to win a pennant. He was instrumental in assisting the sport's survival during the Great Depression and World War II and closely involved in integrating the game. On being named commissioner in 1951, he had a leading role in facilitating the transfer of seven franchises, ensuring baseball was now played in all sections of the country. In a similar vein, he assisted in preparing Major League Baseball for expansion. During his tenure, he helped to stabilize the Minor Leagues, led the way in establishing the player draft that is still used today, and, through numerous congressional hearings, protected baseball's antitrust exemption. He left his mark in other areas as well, such as protecting the player pension plan. This revisionist biography, with many untold stories of mid-twentieth-century baseball, casts new light on Frick's sizable contributions to the game and his lasting legacy.
Deadbeats, Dead Balls, and the 1914 Boston Braves
The unlikely story of one of baseball's greatest comeback seasons The Boston Braves (the present-day Atlanta Braves) were a bunch of losers and alcohol-soaked whiskey swiggers, buried in last place as late as mid-July of 1914. This rough gang was led by their bullying, superstitious manager George Stallings and assisted by Johnny Evers, a nasty, egotistical captain who was despised by opponents and umpires alike. Deadbeats, Dead Balls, and the 1914 Boston Braves chronicles the team's misfortune, meteoric rise through the 1914 season, and audacious World Series run against the overwhelmingly dominant Philadelphia Athletics. Hall of Fame umpire Bill Klem, a mainstay in the game for over 70 years, called the Braves "the most spirited team he ever saw"--but would their spirit be enough against one of the most powerful teams ever put together? Making use of extensive archival and primary source research, Martin H. Bush places the Braves' story within the larger controversies of dead ball-era baseball: greedy team owners, exaggerations of the "yellow" press, and blatant cheating tactics used to gain unfair advantage. Bush strips away the myths--but not the romance--that can obscure our understanding of how baseball evolved. Including anecdotes from heroes of the "dead ballers," like Ty Cobb, Hans Wagner, and "Cy" Young," Deadbeats, Dead Balls, and the 1914 Boston Braves is an unforgettable story--at turns painful, exciting, shocking, and funny.
Caddying on the Color Line
A poignant exploration of the untold stories of Black caddies and their profound impact on the history of golf in the segregated South.Caddying on the Color Line unveils the hidden history of African American caddies who navigated the racial complexities of Jim Crow golf courses. From labor exploitation to unexpected moments of dignity and resistance, their experiences shaped the sport and challenged the social order.Discover the lives of men like Willie Peterson, who caddied for Jack Nicklaus, and Demus Taylor, who transitioned from enslavement to caddying. This is a story of resilience, skill, and the enduring pursuit of equality, revealing how Black caddies not only carried golf bags but also carried the weight of a nation's racial divide. Perfect for readers interested in African American history, sports, and the untold stories of the South.
Junior Golfers
"Junior Golfers: The Parents Guide" by Glen Bowen is an indispensable resource for parents looking to cultivate their child's enthusiasm for golf. This all-encompassing guide delves into the essential combination of physical prowess and mental strategy that the sport requires, highlighting the importance of personal development, discipline, and a lifelong love for the game.Expert Guidance from a Certified ProfessionalGlen Bowen, a certified professional golf coach, shares invaluable insights on a wide range of topics, including how to choose the right equipment and navigate tournament regulations.Fostering Key Life SkillsDiscover effective strategies to encourage independence, resilience, and sportsmanship in your junior golfer while creating cherished family moments on the course.Balancing Fun and CompetitionWith practical advice on maintaining a healthy balance between competition and enjoyment, promoting physical fitness, and instilling life skills through golf, this book provides you with the essential tools to support your child's golfing journey both on and off the fairways.An Inspiring Journey TogetherWhether you are an experienced golfer or just starting out in the sport, "Junior Golfers: The Parents Guide" will motivate you to cherish every moment spent together in this fulfilling adventure.
Junior Golfers
"Junior Golfers: The Parents Guide" by Glen Bowen is an indispensable resource for parents looking to cultivate their child's enthusiasm for golf. This all-encompassing guide delves into the essential combination of physical prowess and mental strategy that the sport requires, highlighting the importance of personal development, discipline, and a lifelong love for the game.Expert Guidance from a Certified ProfessionalGlen Bowen, a certified professional golf coach, shares invaluable insights on a wide range of topics, including how to choose the right equipment and navigate tournament regulations.Fostering Key Life SkillsDiscover effective strategies to encourage independence, resilience, and sportsmanship in your junior golfer while creating cherished family moments on the course.Balancing Fun and CompetitionWith practical advice on maintaining a healthy balance between competition and enjoyment, promoting physical fitness, and instilling life skills through golf, this book provides you with the essential tools to support your child's golfing journey both on and off the fairways.An Inspiring Journey TogetherWhether you are an experienced golfer or just starting out in the sport, "Junior Golfers: The Parents Guide" will motivate you to cherish every moment spent together in this fulfilling adventure.
The Boys of Riverside
The incredible story of an all-deaf high school football team's triumphant climb from underdog to undefeated, their inspirational brotherhood, a fascinating portrait of deafness in America, and the indefatigable head coach who spearheaded the team, by New York Times reporter and San Francisco Bureau Chief, Thomas Fuller. "The Boys of Riverside is another example of how anyone can achieve their dreams, making what appears impossible, possible."--Marlee Matlin, Academy Award winner In November 2021, an obscure email from the California Department of Education landed in New York Times reporter, Thomas Fuller's, inbox. The football team at the California School for the Deaf in Riverside, a state-run school with only 168 high school students, was having an undefeated season. After years of covering war, wildfires, pandemic, and mass shootings, Fuller was captivated by the story of this group of high school boys. It was uplifting. During the gloom of the pandemic, it was a happy story. It was a sports story but not an ordinary one, built on the chemistry between a group of underestimated boys and their superhero advocate coach, Keith Adams, a deaf former athlete himself. The team, and Adams, tackled the many stereotypes and seemed to be succeeding. Fuller packed his bags and drove seven hours to the Riverside campus. The Boys of Riverside looks back at the historic 2021 and 2022 seasons in which the California School for the Deaf chased history. It follows the personal journeys of their dynamic deaf head coach, and a student who spent the majority of the season sleeping in his father's car in the Target parking lot. It tells the story of a fiercely committed player who literally played through a broken leg in order not to miss a crucial game, as well as myriad other heart-wrenching and uplifting narratives of players who found common purpose. Through their eyes, Fuller reveals a portrait of high school athletics, inspiring camaraderie, and deafness in America.
101 Reasons Why I Love the NBA
Around 800 million people follow hundreds of games played every year by teams in the NBA, making it the fourth most popular sporting competition in the world. It's a truly global league, with legions of fans in Brazil, China, Spain, Australia and South Africa. It's not hard to see what attracts them to the sport. For decades, the NBA has enthralled American sports fans. Bill Russell and other early superstars sealed the NBA's place as a national institution. Icons like Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan wrote their names in the record books, and modern-day all-stars like LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo have propelled the NBA into an international phenomenon. Now, the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers are among the most watched sports teams in the world, and the NBA leads the way in uniting a country that's fragmented on so many other levels. Discover 101 reasons why the NBA isn't just one of the most popular sports leagues in the world.
Legendary Ballparks
Take a grand-slam tour of North America's best-loved ballparks with this visually stunning, fact-packed book that includes 15 removable pieces of baseball ephemera. Featuring nostalgic images from across the country and throughout baseball history, Legendary Ballparks is a colorful exploration of the places where baseball history happens. From Fenway to Dodger Stadium, North America's legendary ballparks have been the scenes of some of the most unforgettable moments in sports. This definitive guide to Major League ballparks of the past, present, and future takes you inside the stadiums and gives you a front-row seat into baseball's greatest games. Imagine your ballpark bucket list. Even if you can't get to every park, this book takes you there with hundreds of photos, stories, and stats about: Storied parks such as Wrigley Field, Fenway Park, and Dodger StadiumFan favorites AT&T Park, Camden Yards, and PNC ParkForgotten treasures like Shibe Park in Philadelphia, Sportsman's Park in St. Louis, and all five parks of the Detroit TigersNew stadiums such as the Atlanta Braves' SunTrust Park (now Truist Park), the Minneapolis Twins' Target Field, and New York's Yankee Stadium and CitifieldMore than 40 other major league parks that tell the story of the national pastime through the lens of the fields the players call homeIn addition to this treasue trove of history and lore, this handsome edition includes 15 removable pieces of baseball memorabilia, including photos of historic ballparks, reproductions of World Series programs, and a printed ballpark bucket list. Perfect for fans of any MLB team, this book brings the colorful stories of America's ballparks to life.
Soccer Training Activities
Soccer Training Activities includes information to guide readers through the development of coaching philosophies, over one hundred activities and the tools to create one hundred more.
The Shot
From any and every angle, the 1982 U.S. Open was pure alchemy, a dramatic turning point in the lives and fortunes of everyone involved. Watson underscored his status as the top player in the world. Nicklaus began to age before our eyes. Pebble joined the ranks of the most beloved golf courses on the planet.ABC Sports began its slow descent toward obsolescence, and ESPN took an enormous step toward its new-media manifest destiny. As one ABC Sports producer who worked that storied Open said, " After that week nothing was the same." New York Times-bestselling author Chris Millard looks back at this pivotal moment, deftly explaining how one chip-in changed not only the sport of golf, but the future course of golf media.
Vision Tennis
A unique strategy book written in the format of a story, Vision Tennis by Peak Performance Training Consultant Michael Zosel is the winning edge for anyone wanting to better his or her tennis experience. Tennis players of all ages can use these strategies to improve their matches even before reaching the court.
Test Match Special: How to Read Cricket
Do you know a grubber from a yorker? Can you identify the golden rules of slip and outfield catching? How does a batter recover from the dreaded royal duck? And where on earth do players find room for all those teas? In this official Test Match Special book, cricket legend and TMS commentator Ebony Rainford-Brent takes you on a whirlwind tour of the world's greatest sport. This entertaining and witty A-Z guide covers everything from amazing stats and analysis of great (and not-so-great) cricketing skills to the game's uniquely joyous culture, its stand-out players, greatest venues, dodgiest pitches and the wonderful eccentricities that define village cricket. Along the way, there are plenty of anecdotes from Ebony's extraordinary career, along with her top tactical and leadership tips. Whether you're new to cricket or a seasoned pro, How to Read Cricket has it all, and a story to tell.
Shadow Ball
In the steamy summer of 1919 Chicago, notorious owner Charles Comiskey and Andrew "Rube" Foster, the Father of the Negro Leagues, scheme to rock the baseball world by adding African American star shortstop John Henry "Pop" Lloyd to the White Sox's roster. It is a devil's bargain, as only the men's thirst for fame and fortune allows them to overcome their contempt for each other. Meanwhile, Comiskey's low pay and tawdry treatment of his ballplayers drive them towards the Black Sox scandal, while the clashes between blacks and whites grow hotter than Chicago's oppressive heat, setting the stage for what will explode into Chicago's Great Race Riots of 1919. As Comiskey's greedy tentacles extend further and further, he brings on young Sam Weiss to do his dirty work and be his go-between. Weiss and an aspiring nightclub singer, Kid Douglas, later to known as Memphis Minnie, find themselves tangled up in Comiskey and Foster's scheme, utterly powerless, of course, to alter a thing. Shadow Ball, originally published in 2001, is a work of great imagination, firmly grounded in genuine history. Author Peter Rutkoff takes readers down Chicago's dusty cobblestone streets, into smoke-filled back rooms, and elbow to elbow with two of baseball's true titans of the era.
Extra Time Beckons, Penalties Loom
SHORTLISTED FOR FOOTBALL BOOK OF THE YEAR AT THE SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2025LONGLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD A New Statesman Book of the Year A Sunday Times Sports Book of the Year "A hilarious examination of the football commentary language we all understand but don't know why" WHSBOTY 2024 Reading Panel The long-awaited follow-up to Football Clich矇s, Adam Hurrey's cult classic about the language of football. "So enjoyable ... fascinating and deliciously nerdy." FourFourTwo "Adam Hurrey is the best observer of football culture in the world. He has a knack for either encapsulating something that's always nagged at you or nailing something you can't believe you haven't noticed before." Elis James "The funniest, smartest book on the language of football. It sends out a message, silences the doubters and lets its football do the talking ... a Rolls-Royce of a book." David Goldblatt *** Does language evolve? Yes, it does.Will it ever be acceptable for a football commentator to call a shot that bounces before it goes in 'a screamer'? No, it will not.As the self-appointed world expert on the subject, Adam Hurrey sets off to define the definitive rules of the language of football. He will answer the big questions such as: is it acceptable to say a player is 'breaking their silence' (it's complicated), can headers can be 'lashed' (anatomically impossible), whether a penalty shootout could ever be described as 'late drama' (truly abhorrent), how many games constitute a 'bumper' day of Premier League action (minimum of eight) and just how big a deficit constitutes 'a mountain to climb' (certainly not Liverpool going 1-0 down at home to Wolves in the third minute, Sky Sports). Along the way, Hurrey examines some case studies of how the football media has reached saturation point - the transfer rumour mill, the futile art of big-match previewing, the rise of (and backlash against) football jargon - and how its language has evolved to keep the machine going. Have we let the football lexicon spiral out of control? In finding out, this book will be exactly as gloriously pedantic as it sounds.
Men of Troy
From a New York Times bestselling author, a deeply reported account of how the USC Trojan football team captivated the sporting world in the 2000s. The University of Southern California received thousands of calls, emails and letters in 2001, after hiring former NFL coach, Pete Carroll, to resurrect its moribund program. Carroll was a "failure," a "fraud," and a "flake" according to USC boosters, the fans in Los Angeles and the college football cognoscenti. But by the middle of the decade, he had turned USC into a legendary juggernaut, with multiple Heisman Trophy winners and national championships. In Men of Troy, Monte Burke, provides the definitive account of this singular dynasty, based on original reporting and more than 150 new interviews. Burke illustrates how Carroll and his colorful cast of coaches and players--including cross-eyed quarterback turned national heartthrob, Matt Leinart, and the electric, generational running back, Reggie Bush--not only took over college football, but Los Angeles and the country, as well. Burke not only takes readers through the iconic games of the era, but also behind the scenes--in the locker room, on the recruiting trail and into the LA nightlife scene, where the players enjoyed their celebrity status and, at times, succumbed to illicit temptations. He also puts the dynasty in proper context, tracing the breathtaking rise of the program, the sudden and inglorious fall, and the scandal that left a program in ruins and precipitated the drastic changes that led to the current era of college football.
In The Game
24 heart-warming, mind-boggling, and history-defining short stories of moments and playersBaseball is a sport that has captured the hearts of millions of people around the globe.For generations, baseball has united people through the players' unwavering determination and the thrilling moments that define this sportHowever, there exists a realm of untold stories and experiences beyond the scores displayed on the scoreboard and the excitement of winning or losing that have greatly influenced the sport and the individuals who participate in it.These tales are the pieces to the whole puzzle of what makes baseball one of the greatest sports there are today.It keeps you on the edge of your seat and inspires you to achieve greatness, motivating you to always put your best foot forward.That's precisely why this must-have compilation of baseball short stories came to be!To bring you a collection of the best stories, carefully curated to take you on a journey that transcends the court and the field and into the lives of the greatest players and moments as they left their marks on history and forever changed the course of this sport we love.Inside this must-have inspiring and entertaining read, you will discover: The rise of women in baseball, with inspiring stories of some of the best female athletes that proved everyone wrongA closer look into baseball's greatest players of all time, their lives, and the almost-impossible-to-break records they setThe ugly side of sports at a time when color was used to exclude some of the most talented players and the brightest diamonds in the shadowsInspiring stories of players whose lives were forever changed - from rags to riches, from gangs to glory; baseball has proven to be powerful catalysts for change!Scandals and controversies surrounding this sport to show you the reality of what happens behind the scenesA compilation of this sport's most peculiar superstitions and rituals that players would perform to bring good luck to their team and themselvesAnd much more!These stories will take you on a journey through the evolution of this beloved sport, providing insight into the minds of the players, the struggles they faced, and the moments that defined their careers.Through them, you will gain a deeper appreciation for your favorite game and athletes.
In The Game
24 heart-warming, mind-boggling, and history-defining short stories of moments and players For generations, basketball has united people through the players' unwavering determination and the thrilling moments that define this sportHowever, there exists a realm of untold stories and experiences beyond the scores displayed on the scoreboard and the excitement of winning or losing that have greatly influenced the sport and the individuals who participate in it.These tales are the pieces to the whole puzzle of what makes basketball one of the greatest sports there are today.It keeps you on the edge of your seat and inspires you to achieve greatness, motivating you to always put your best foot forward.That's precisely why this must-have compilation of basketball short stories came to be!To bring you a collection of the best stories, carefully curated to take you on a journey that transcends the court and the field and into the lives of the greatest players and moments as they left their marks on history and forever changed the course of this sport we love.Inside this must-have inspiring and entertaining read, you will discover: The fascinating story of how basketball was invented and gradually became one of the most popular sports in historyThe rise of women in basketball with inspiring stories of some of the best female athletes that proved everyone wrongA closer look into basketball's greatest players of all time, their lives, and the almost-impossible-to-break records they setThe ugly side of sports at a time when color was used to exclude some of the most talented players and the brightest diamonds in the shadowsInspiring stories of players whose lives were forever changed - from rags to riches, from gangs to glory; basketball has proven to be powerful catalysts for change!Scandals and controversies surrounding this sport to show you the reality of what happens behind the scenesA compilation of this sport's most peculiar superstitions and rituals that players would perform to bring good luck to their team and themselvesAnd much more!
Coaching Through Superiorities
What if tactical success in soccer isn't about finding the "right" system but seeing the game differently?In Coaching Through Superiorities, leading coach educator Ray Power unlocks a fresh framework for modern coaching, built around five key pillars: Numerical, Qualitative, Positional, Cooperative, and Dynamic Superiority. Rather than prescribing formations or rigid playbooks, this book invites you to explore football as a fluid, problem-solving game - one driven by players, shaped by context, and always in motion.Inside, you'll discover how to: Spot and create overloads in every area of the pitchDesign tactics that adapt to your players, not the other way aroundCoach with clarity in moments of chaos, transition, and momentumBlend principles like La Pausa, Positional Play, and Relationism into your own game modelDevelop your tactical eye through reflective "lightbulb" tasks and scenario planningWhether you're a grassroots coach or chasing elite standards, Coaching Through Superiorities arms you with the mindset, models, and questions that lead to smarter decisions, and draws on examples from innovative modern coaches like Pep Guardiola, Roberto De Zerbi, Fernando Diniz, and Thiago Motta. It's not about knowing all the answers - it's about asking the right questions before the whistle blows.About Ray Power: With almost two decades of experience working in soccer and education, coaching players from non-league to Premier League levels, and internationally, he is the author of Making The Ball Roll, Coaching Youth Football, and the five-book Deliberate Soccer Practice series. As a coach developer and educator, Ray has worked for, and consulted with, numerous national FAs, as well as governing bodies from other sports, including the NBA. He also works as a consultant - mentor - educator on a freelance basis, working with grassroots coaches all the way to professional teams.
12 Rings: Stories of the St. Louis Cardinals World Championships, Second Edition, Expanded and Updated
From St. Louis to Cooperstown: Legends Born and Made in the Gateway City
The Big Book of Football Stories
There is nothing more American than playing football or cheering for favorite teams. Millions watch each fall with intense interest as high school, college, and professional players hit the field. And there is nothing more entertaining than reading about the game, its colorful players and coaches, and its rivalries. Rich in history and detail, The Big Book of Football Stories will entertain, enlighten, and amuse. These are enduring stories that have passed the test of time and have attracted generations of readers. They are custom-made for the imaginative reader who seeks fantastic tales from the gridiron. Here is icon Paul "Bear" Bryant on how to coach, founding father Walter Camp describing the best traits of a player, stories from football's early days that inspired generations of players, and an account from 1921 on how teams can best use the new forward pass to its advantage. The modern era is brought to life with an account of the trials of college football's worst team, how "the NFL Today" revolutionized football's popularity, an account of Bullet Bill Dudley, the game's last two-way player, stories of iconic quarterbacks Bart Starr and Tom Brady, and an inside view of the trenches from NFL brawler Ralph Cindrich. Here is everything a reader needs for insight into the game, its players, and favorite teams. So many stories, it will take a full season to read and enjoy--and the best part, it won't hurt a bit.
You Saw Me on the Radio
For forty-eight years, Dave South was the radio voice of Southwest Conference and Texas A&M University football, basketball, and baseball. Along the way, he amassed a treasure trove of unforgettable stories, anecdotes, and conversations with noteworthy personalities, both on and off the field. In You Saw Me on the Radio, he collects some of his favorite stories from the broadcast booth, locker room, and other behind-the-scenes locations. This collection of lively tales is organized around themes such as "Memorable Games," "Players," "Interviews," "Goofs," and "Fans." These good-natured recollections of a long and colorful career are accompanied by a gallery of photographs gathered from South's interactions with Aggie sports greats, iconic venues, and other people, places, and events that have created treasured sports memories over almost five decades. With a wink and a generous dose of self-deprecating humor, South relates some of his most embarrassing gaffes and miscues, including the time he conducted an awkward interview with the Treasurer of the United States--while having no idea who she was or what she did. He tells about the infamous "yellow spot" on Kyle Field. He reveals the truth behind "beanie weenies," the culinary secret weapon of Texas A&M football recruiters. And of course, South pays heartfelt tribute to the coaches, players, fans, and fellow broadcasters who became his friends through the years. Loaded with accounts of unforgettable contests, hilarious moments, and poignant memories, You Saw Me on the Radio is sure to be a favorite for fans of Texas A&M University athletics and sports lovers everywhere. The author's proceeds from the sale of this book will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project.
Upset at Oakmont
In 1919, at Oakmont Country Club, seventeen-year-old Bobby Jones fought his way to the finals for a chance to make history as the youngest winner of the U.S. Amateur Championship. Standing in his way was twenty-one-year-old Dave Herron, a Pittsburgh native and former Oakmont caddie. Despite his relatively unknown status and to the shock of many, Dave beat Bobby with the most spectacular golf--under par at Oakmont--in U.S. Amateur history. Upset at Oakmont is a dual biography of two gifted child athletes in early twentieth-century America. One, in the 1920s, would become as famous as Babe Ruth; the other would be quickly forgotten and his victory forever tarnished. Although both golfers were children of affluence, their pathways to the 1919 U.S. Amateur were starkly different because of their differing dispositions, their parents, the impact of place ("New South" Atlanta vs. Steel-City Pittsburgh), and the timing of World War I in shaping their adolescence. Rigorously researched, Upset at Oakmont adds new dimension to understanding the revolution in American golf that started with Francis Ouimet's victory at Brookline in 1913. Employing new statistical data to challenge previous narratives, this book re-creates the epic clash between Jones and Herron in exciting detail, while employing novel empirical methods to advance scholarship on the "Golden Era" of American amateur golf.
Ponytails To The Basket
You've just been "volunteered" to coach your child's grade school basketball team...what now? Coach Joel's book lays out a teaching curriculum for how to develop your players through their formative grade school years and prepare them for the next levels of basketball. What skills should be taught in 3rd grade, and what should wait until 6th? How should you plan your practices? How can you (and CAN'T you) be helpful to them during the middle of a game? Coach Joel walks you through practices, games, film, communication strategies, how to teach team offense and defense, and even how to handle parents and referees! This book is a must-have for any parent-turned-coach who wants to do right by their kids at the grade school level.
