Watching Baseball Smarter: A Professional Fan's Guide for Beginners, Semi-experts, and Deeply Serious Geeks

Whether you’re a major league couch potato, life-long season ticket-holder, or teaching game to a beginner, Watching Baseball Smarter leaves no territory uncovered. In this smart and funny fan’s guide Hample explains the ins and outs of pitching, hitting, running, and fielding, while offering insider trivia and anecdotes that will surprise even the most informed viewers of our national pastime.

What is the difference between a slider and a curveball?
At which stadium did “The Wave” first make an appearance?
How do some hitters use iPods to improve their skills?
Which positions are never played by lefties?
Why do some players urinate on their hands?

Combining the narrative voice and attitude of Michael Lewis with the compulsive brilliance of Schott’s Miscellany, Watching Baseball Smarter will increase your understanding and enjoyment of the sport–no matter what your level of expertise.

Zack Hample is an obsessed fan and a regular writer for minorleaguebaseball.com. He's collected nearly 3,000 baseballs from major league games and has appeared on dozens of TV and radio shows. His first book, How to Snag Major League Baseballs, was published in 1999.
Customer Review: Great for beginners, less for semi-experts
I enjoyed this book, especially the glossary of baseball lingo. I think I'll keep this book near the TV when I listen to the "color commentator" spew all that meaningless baseball jargon! Some parts of the book were helpful, but a lot was fairly obvious if you've spent much time watching games or playing Little League. Still, the author includes some fun little-known facts...and I *think* I finally understand the infield fly rule! But don't quiz me on it.
Customer Review: Take me out to the ballgame
Football may have the hard-hitting action and basketball may have the slam-dunk feats, but baseball has character. In what other sport are the fans supposed to all stand in the middle of a game and sing a song? Furthermore, while basketball, football, hockey and soccer are all essentially different versions of the same game (pushing a puck or ball into the goal defended by the opposition), baseball has no real parallel (except maybe cricket, which is at most a minor sport in the U.S.). And, of course, unlike almost any other sport, there are no real time or point constraints to baseball; you're always in the game until the last out. The unique elements of baseball can be off-putting to fans of other sports, who may find the subtleties of the game to be slow or boring. But as Zack Hample illustrates in his book Watching Baseball Smarter, there is a lot more going on than is readily apparent. Designed for the casual baseball fan, Hample offers insights into the sport that may escape most people (though the more die-hard fan will know much of what he describes). After a review of some of the basics of the game, Hample has sections dedicated to the four major components of the game: pitching (and catching); hitting, base running and fielding. He then has chapters on stadiums, umpires, statistics and "random stuff". If you want to know the difference between a cut fastball, a four-seamer and a two-seamer, Hample provides the information in the pitching chapter. If you want to know why left-handed catchers are so rare, look in the fielding chapter. For the avid fan, an error or two may be noted. For example, in the section on umpires, it is noted that the catcher can appeal to the first or third base umpire on a check swing; actually, he appeals to the home plate umpire, who can seek the appropriate umpires opinion. Any other errors also seem to be on such subtle issues, so it really isn't a major issue. In general, this is a fun book for baseball fans, filled with the slang and historical perspective that gives the sport its personality. If you enjoy baseball, you should read this book.

With Father's Day coming up, I have been on the lookout for innovative packages on products for dad. One of the most interesting was a head of iceberg lettuce wrapped in baseball graphics by Tanimura and Antle. I liked the concept and it made the "buy me" connection for me. With over 60,000 products in the average US supermarket I'll take any marketing advantage that works.

So, let's dissect this marketing gimmick/innovation a little more. Obviously the shape of a head of iceberg lettuce lends itself well to baseball graphics. The lettuce looks just like a baseball when over wrapped (even if it is green). It's certainly going to stand out among all of the other lettuce products. It even has a recipe printed on the package in case you are at a loss what to do with iceberg.

I think it's a clever use of branding a shape and integrating it into a Father's Day campaign.It's a good example of crossing outside your industry to create relevance to your product and brand by connecting it to a family mainstay. In fact, Tanimura and Antle want iceberg lettuce to become the official Father's Day vegetable just like other vegetables get associated with other holidays. (Green bean casserole anyone?)

Iceberg, once the leader of salad lettuce, has suffered a decline due to the proliferation of all the other lettuce products. You have to do something to it (yes, actually cut it in to wedges or break it apart into pieces) before eating. But seriously, think of all the good things that remind dad of baseball, America's favorite past time. Now spin that to get him to think about eating more salad or even think about lettuce at all.

It's creativity like this that drives business. Basic products that are on the wane can use a little innovative product packaging to give them the edge. My husband is an avid baseball fan and anything that "connects" to baseball is fair game in the merchandising world. Women might even buy it just because it is gimmicky and a conversation starter.

I like when companies try untraditional packaging methods that make the consumer take a second look. That's what it's all about any way . . . Creating enough interest that the consumer will pick up your product for a closer look and, of course, make the purchase.

So prepare for next Father's Day and consider innovative product packaging that will intrigue the customer beyond the mundane. Consider the concepts and roll with it . . . baseball, Father's Day and packaging.

For more ways to utilize packaging branding, innovation and marketing concepts to "connect" with your consumer contact JoAnn Hines the Packaging Diva at JoAnn@PackagingDiva.com. You can also subscribe to he complimentary newsletter "Packaging News You Can Use" at the same email address.

Considering that the cost of designing an average retail package is $7,000, whats $70 to get it right (or risk spending thousands more to fix it later)! I know just got back from speaking at INPEX.

"Do It Yourself Packaging" saves you time and money with step by step solutions. Listen, I have been there. I know how hard it is to have a great idea or product, and to have to dig through mounds of information to learn how to package it. People always contact me whenever they are in trouble. Most of the time it is after the fact and they want the quick fix to their packaging woes.

Well, it doesn't work that way. Packaging is a complicated intricate process. Understanding it requires time and consideration. Its not just about getting the product there. Its also about getting the product to SELL. (and I am going to teach you how.)

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