Spring Training - (Regional) by William Zinsser (Paperback)

About the Book

With a new Introduction by the author, this book vividly brings to life the unique once-a-year relationship between Bradenton, Florida, and its adopted team, the Pittsburgh Pirates. 25 photos.

Book Synopsis

Spring training, a time when every team is in first place, is an American tradition dating back to the early years of the twentieth century. William Zinsser vividly brings to life the unique, once-a-year relationship between Bradenton, Florida, and its adopted team, the Pittsburgh Pirates.
In 1988 the Pirates were an unproven yet promising bunch with high hopes of competing for the National League pennant. Given rare access to players, management, scouts and umpires, Zinsser sought to discover how a team prepares for the longest season in professional sports.
As valid today as it was when first published, Spring Training reveals how the fundamentals of baseball are taught and learned. The author has added a new introduction and postscript, which includes a lengthy interview with manager Jim Leyland about the lessons that can be learned from losing.

Review Quotes

A song of baseball's sweetest season.-- "Boston Globe"

Reading this terrific book is like being transported back in time to a simpler moment in baseball history.-- "Sports Book Review"

Will take you to the endangered soul of baseball.-- "New York Times"

Written with the same grace and intelligence Willie Mays brought to the game.-- "Booklist"

About the Author

William Zinsser started his career with the New York Herald Tribune and has been a freelance writer since 1959. A teacher and former general editor of the Book-of-the-Month Club, he is the author of sixteen books, including the classic On Writing Well.