Baseball Days: From the Sandlots to "The Show"

I approach any book written by a Boston-area sports figure with skepticism. Mr. Littlefield, however, displays the same equanimity, intelligence, and heartfelt love for the game of baseball in this book as he does on his weekly National Public Radio show "Only A Game." The book is a collection of essays, but between the volume's flowing design (new essays do not start on a new page) and lively writing, it reads more like a conversation. Though each piece holds up on its own, their arrangement invites the reader to keep turning the pages, as the author steers the topic "From the Sandlots to the Show" (the book's subtitle). Tryout camps, zealous fans, rain delays, old players, weekend leagues, fielding, it's all in Littlefield's book. He writes with grace, and humor, and a sharp eye for observation. The book is also made beautiful by many great photographs throughout. I wouldn't hesitate to give this as a gift to any baseball fan, no matter what their team affiliation, Little League or Major League. It is, quite simply, one of the best books on the sport I've yet read, and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute I was reading it. The perfect salve for the sting of the offseason cold.I review other baseball books on my baseball...........

As a result of hearing Bill Littlefield interviewed on the radio, I decided to buy this book as a gift for my son's little league coach. It looked so delightful that I couldn't resist reading it before I gave it to him. The book includes amusing and interesting anecdotes on a large variety of topics relating to baseball. Between the writing and the terrific photographs, Baseball Days keeps one's interest throughout.