How to Watch Baseball: A Fan's Guide to Savoring the Fine Points of the Game

by Steve Fiffer

A guide to the enjoyment of baseball games includes discussions of pitching, hitting, defense, base stealing, and the job of the manager

Genres: Baseball, Sports

221 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1987

Reviews

[Manray9 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Steve Fiffer's How to Watch Baseball: A Fan's Guide to Savoring the Fine Points of the Game is for rookies. I've watched a lot of baseball in the last 50+ years. If, like me, you're a devoted baseball fan, there's little in Fiffer's book for you. The best part was being reminded of good players of the 1980s such as Jorge Orta, Bobby Grich, Jim Sundberg, Howard Johnson and others.

[Mary Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because baseball is the only sport I'm willing to watch, and I miss an incredible amount of action on the field whenever I do watch. The player information in the book is very dated since it was written in 1987, but the moves of the game have not changed (much).

In reading this book, I learned a lot about the many strategies behind pitching, fielding and hitting, but I still haven't been able to develop the perception that will tell me when different strategies are being used. For instance, I still can't tell a curveball from a slider, but at least I now know what they are supposed to look like.

I also read about how the fielders move around in response to the action they expect. I always knew this, but I learned about different sections of the ballet that I had never noticed (for instance, the "wheel" move. Unfortunately, I still can't figure out why or when, since I am always concentrating on the batter and pitcher. (And that's what you're supposed to do.)

Some fascinating parts of the book involved the signs and the coded talk. Of course, I can't appreciate this from the stands or from TV, but I never imagined it was so complicated or that all the players are involved in the secret communication. Then...there are the spies who steal signs. Very intriguing.

I am giving this book three, not four or five, stars because (1) it's dated and (2) it kind of assumes, probably incorrectly, that someone like me, a veteran baseball watcher, can learn to appreciate the game more.

[Craig Adamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought at Goodwill about 2 weeks ago. Short read. I really enjoyed its conversational style. Probably the biggest appeal is the in depth look at the 1980s seasons and players. That is when I was 100% into baseball. Collecting cards, watching full games, reading all the box scores, and desperately trying to learn the game as a little leaguer. In a way, I wish I would have found this book in high school as it would have been very fresh. Not as good as “If at First” by Keith Hernandez but would have been fun to read. The author take a lot about Charlie Lau and Walt Hriniak. I read “The Art of Hitting” in 7th grade and made a huge difference for me that year and going forward. Would not have played varsity ball without finally learning hit -I was a very consistent strikeout victim until reading that book and putting it in practice. Anyway Author was smart to get Ted Williams antithetical comments to the style.

Fiffer interviews many ball players and managers, including my favorite players. Was hoping there would be more about the 86 Mets championship but got to read a lot about Expos and Mets, as well as so many familiar names. While a baseball fan today would likely still enjoy this book, I think it is a trip down memory lane and has more meaning to someone like me who was a budding baseball fan in the 70’s and 80’s.

[Marshaferz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and interesting, but not for the casual fan of the game. If you're looking to get inside the managers and players heads, this is the book for you.