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Spring Training
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.
- GenresSportsBaseballNonfiction
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
1 person is currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
William Zinsser
47 books522 followersWilliam Knowlton Zinsser is an American writer, editor, literary critic, and teacher. He began his career as a journalist for the New York Herald Tribune, where he worked as a feature writer, drama editor, film critic, and editorial writer. He has been a longtime contributor to leading magazines.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 30, 2013
This book actually made me think a lot about the importance of educational methodology, and encouraging and rewarding persistence.
March 13, 2020
For any baseball fan, this book is a pleasurable read, especially for those with a knowledge of baseball history. For a reader with less acumen about the sport, take pleasure in a fine author who not only can teach good writing (witness his other books Writing Well and Writing to Learn), but also can write himself. This book takes readers on a tour of spring training (surprise!) with the Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton, Florida, there late 1980's. Zinsser supplies plenty of background about Bradenton, the history of spring training, some of the key people from both past and present, the administration behind the Pirates, etc. He breaks down essential baseball details such as base running, relief pitching, hitting, hitting, running scouts, etc., with relevant interviews with those in charge. The conclusion and epilogue are extra flavors. Zinsser does all of the aforementioned with his easy syntax and creative style.
Makes me want to get to a game as soon as that first pitch zeroes in on home plate this March.
Makes me want to get to a game as soon as that first pitch zeroes in on home plate this March.
October 4, 2022
Writing guru Zinsser brings his guiding curiosity and exemplarily plain prose to spring training in 1988, painting a friendly-but-not-familiar portrait of that annual experience. His vehicle is the then-promising Pittsburgh Pirates, before Barry Bonds' britches (and biceps) got too big and the team endured 20 record-breaking years of consecutive losses. As expected, the book is refreshingly free of the purple twaddle practiced by the sport's romantics yet above the flat, mechanical prose afforded by the beat writers. Zinsser offers concise context, then, lets the insiders do the talking - so, it's "expert" in all ways.
May 22, 2020
Nothing earth shattering. Much of what is talked about is common knowledge to baseball fans. Yet there were a few nice moments in the very short and easy to read book.
The history of spring training was interesting as was Zinsser's conversation with Hall of Famer Edd Rousch. I thought coaches gave some good insight on training and drills.
I have been to Spring Training in Florida couple of times -- (unfortunately never to Bradenton). Reading this book reminded me of those fun trips.
A nice read for baseball fans.
The history of spring training was interesting as was Zinsser's conversation with Hall of Famer Edd Rousch. I thought coaches gave some good insight on training and drills.
I have been to Spring Training in Florida couple of times -- (unfortunately never to Bradenton). Reading this book reminded me of those fun trips.
A nice read for baseball fans.
November 16, 2018
William Zinsser was a well-known and highly sought after literary editor, who also happened to be a Pittsburgh Pirates fan. Zinsser attended spring training when Jim Leyland managed the Pirates, and this book brilliantly captures Zinsser's observations. Since he is a not a sportswriter by trade, the book bristles with insight and appreciation from a fan's perspective. This book is highly recommended for any baseball fan.
April 11, 2021
I love reading books written by skilled craftsmen who are also hapless fans. William Zinsser is a skilled writer and a hapless baseball junkie, and his fanboy exuberance drips from every page. Really fun book.
April 6, 2019
Great little book about baseball and spring training. And it doesn't hurt that Zinsser followed the 1988 Pirates. It was fun to see all the old names again.
March 4, 2020
Getting ready for baseball season, an enjoyable light read.
March 7, 2024
A pure baseball book for baseball junkies. William’s approach to storytelling puts you right on the field or in the crowd.
April 14, 2025
The Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Training 1988. Andy Van Slyke Center Field. Bobby Bonilla 3rd Base. Barry Bonds Left Field. Nuff Said!
February 23, 2016
I first published this review in my blog.
I can’t believe I "found" this book without first knowing about it. Last month, in a going-out-of-business sale at our hamlet’s bookstore, this title caught my attention. I pulled it off the shelf and was surprised to see a “Pirate†sand sculpture on the cover and wondered, “Can this be about the Pittsburgh Pirates?†Then I turned it over to the back cover and read that not only was this about my team, the Pirates, but it was about their 1988 Spring Training. In 1988, I was a graduate student in Pittsburgh and was at Three River Stadium on opening day, to see Fred Roger’s throw out a “wild†first pitch. I chalk it up to providence in finding this book.
William Zinsser is a master storyteller. Years ago I read his book, On Writing Well. Spring Training is the second book of his that I’ve read. (Currently, I am almost finished with a third book of his, Writing About Your Life, which I’m sure I’ll review at a later date.) Zinsser prose, at places, is almost poetic. His writing is descriptive. But it’s not limited to what happens at the Pirate training camp in Bradenton, Florida. Zinsser tells the story of the six week of training in a way that connects us to the larger world of baseball, its history and the long up coming season. Although about baseball, this book you gain some understanding of what theologians refer to as “the communion of saints†within these pages.
Zinsser begins his book with a personal chapter on the “rites of spring,†where he talks about a previous trip to Florida to watch the Boston Red Sox’s train. In this chapter, we learn about the history of spring training as well as Zinsser’s interest in the game. Next, he talks about baseball’s historic tie to Florida. Then he goes into a chapter by chapter breakdown, reporting on the role of Syd Thrift, the Pirate Bible-quoting General Manager; Jim Leyland, the manager; the other coaches; the scouts and each of the positions on the field. Inserted into these descriptions is a visit to Edd Roush, who was the oldest living member of the Hall of Fame and a resident of Bradenton. Roush died a few days after Zinsser’s visit. In his epilogue, Zinsser tells of the first game of the season and how the Pirates, a young team, had their best beginning in decades. For the University of Pittsburgh Press edition, Zinsser has prepared a new “postlude,†where he tells about how the Pirates played well, but not good enough in 1988, how they lost over a hundred games in 1989, only to come back and win their divisions in 1990, 1991 and 1992.
Although this book is about baseball, one also learns about management techniques and educational philosophy. First of all, baseball is a negative game. A 300 hitter will be out twice as many times as they make it to the bases! Zinsser spends time talking to Leyland about what a team can learn from losing (which the Pirates did a lot of in 1986-1987). Spring training is a time to sharpening skills, for developing good habits and avoiding bad ones. The infield coach informs Zinsser that they don’t practice too long on one thing, for doing so risks the players becoming tired or bored and picking up bad habits (136).
This book was a pleasure to read. Memories of the Pirates in the late 80s flash back in my mind. I could hear the announcer roll out names of players approaching the plate: Rafael Belliard, Bobby Bonilla, Barry Bonds (he was a skinny 23 year old in these pre-steroid days), Sid Bream, R. J. Reynolds, Mike LaValliere and Andy VanSlyke. I recalled times of watching Doug Drakek and Bob Walk pitch. I remembered going to the ballpark on Wednesday Evening for “Buc Night.†You could sit in the cheap seats for a buck and we would ride the bus downtown and back for a buck and a quarter! It was good it was so cheap, it meant we had money for beer, which cost more than the ticket and bus ride! I remembered how, after I left Pittsburgh in the Spring of 1990, I came each year to meet up with friends, including Brent who is no longer with us, and cheered the Pirates on against the Reds (in 1990) and the Braves (in 1991 and 1992). These were optimistic times and each year I had a ticket to the World Series (the winners of each division presales tickets for the series). And I also remembered the disappointments as the Pirates lost the playoffs and failed to make it to the World Series. I’ve never been to a World Series game, but Zinsser’s reminded me of the times when I came close!
I can’t believe I "found" this book without first knowing about it. Last month, in a going-out-of-business sale at our hamlet’s bookstore, this title caught my attention. I pulled it off the shelf and was surprised to see a “Pirate†sand sculpture on the cover and wondered, “Can this be about the Pittsburgh Pirates?†Then I turned it over to the back cover and read that not only was this about my team, the Pirates, but it was about their 1988 Spring Training. In 1988, I was a graduate student in Pittsburgh and was at Three River Stadium on opening day, to see Fred Roger’s throw out a “wild†first pitch. I chalk it up to providence in finding this book.
William Zinsser is a master storyteller. Years ago I read his book, On Writing Well. Spring Training is the second book of his that I’ve read. (Currently, I am almost finished with a third book of his, Writing About Your Life, which I’m sure I’ll review at a later date.) Zinsser prose, at places, is almost poetic. His writing is descriptive. But it’s not limited to what happens at the Pirate training camp in Bradenton, Florida. Zinsser tells the story of the six week of training in a way that connects us to the larger world of baseball, its history and the long up coming season. Although about baseball, this book you gain some understanding of what theologians refer to as “the communion of saints†within these pages.
Zinsser begins his book with a personal chapter on the “rites of spring,†where he talks about a previous trip to Florida to watch the Boston Red Sox’s train. In this chapter, we learn about the history of spring training as well as Zinsser’s interest in the game. Next, he talks about baseball’s historic tie to Florida. Then he goes into a chapter by chapter breakdown, reporting on the role of Syd Thrift, the Pirate Bible-quoting General Manager; Jim Leyland, the manager; the other coaches; the scouts and each of the positions on the field. Inserted into these descriptions is a visit to Edd Roush, who was the oldest living member of the Hall of Fame and a resident of Bradenton. Roush died a few days after Zinsser’s visit. In his epilogue, Zinsser tells of the first game of the season and how the Pirates, a young team, had their best beginning in decades. For the University of Pittsburgh Press edition, Zinsser has prepared a new “postlude,†where he tells about how the Pirates played well, but not good enough in 1988, how they lost over a hundred games in 1989, only to come back and win their divisions in 1990, 1991 and 1992.
Although this book is about baseball, one also learns about management techniques and educational philosophy. First of all, baseball is a negative game. A 300 hitter will be out twice as many times as they make it to the bases! Zinsser spends time talking to Leyland about what a team can learn from losing (which the Pirates did a lot of in 1986-1987). Spring training is a time to sharpening skills, for developing good habits and avoiding bad ones. The infield coach informs Zinsser that they don’t practice too long on one thing, for doing so risks the players becoming tired or bored and picking up bad habits (136).
This book was a pleasure to read. Memories of the Pirates in the late 80s flash back in my mind. I could hear the announcer roll out names of players approaching the plate: Rafael Belliard, Bobby Bonilla, Barry Bonds (he was a skinny 23 year old in these pre-steroid days), Sid Bream, R. J. Reynolds, Mike LaValliere and Andy VanSlyke. I recalled times of watching Doug Drakek and Bob Walk pitch. I remembered going to the ballpark on Wednesday Evening for “Buc Night.†You could sit in the cheap seats for a buck and we would ride the bus downtown and back for a buck and a quarter! It was good it was so cheap, it meant we had money for beer, which cost more than the ticket and bus ride! I remembered how, after I left Pittsburgh in the Spring of 1990, I came each year to meet up with friends, including Brent who is no longer with us, and cheered the Pirates on against the Reds (in 1990) and the Braves (in 1991 and 1992). These were optimistic times and each year I had a ticket to the World Series (the winners of each division presales tickets for the series). And I also remembered the disappointments as the Pirates lost the playoffs and failed to make it to the World Series. I’ve never been to a World Series game, but Zinsser’s reminded me of the times when I came close!
March 9, 2017
Zinsser approached the subject as a casual fan, exploring aspects of the game professionals and hard core fans would have neglected (e.g. the umpires and the boosters). This could have resulted in awkwardness, but Zinsser is very good at finding the important details.
July 18, 2025
William Zinsser spends six weeks in Bradenton, Florida observing the comings and goings of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Spring Training in 1988. He hops around and interviews everyone from the players to the volunteers who run the stadium operations, giving a well-rounded look at what Spring Training means for everyone involved.
I’m a lifelong baseball addict, so it was really fun to hear all these different perspectives. The actual Spring Training itself ended up being a little one-note - the players are getting back into shape, it’s more relaxed than the real games, etc. But I loved hearing from Syd Thrift, the team’s Bible-toting, wheeling-and-dealing general manager, and seeing him infuse the team with one innovative strategy after another. The Pirates were an up-and-coming team under his leadership, with Barry Bonds as the most notable youngster on their roster. Jim Leyland, a future Hall of Fame manager, was getting his first crack at the job as well, and he also made a strong impression on me with his quotes.
Zinsser is a true journalist - he’s there to get the story. He tells you exactly what he heard and saw that day, and does a good job making each character distinct. He doesn’t preach a message, he just collects a few interesting vignettes and lets you soak it up. Because it’s Spring Training - it’s relaxed, it’s down to earth, and it’s baseball without all the glamor. If that sounds appealing to you, I think it’s worth a read.
I’m a lifelong baseball addict, so it was really fun to hear all these different perspectives. The actual Spring Training itself ended up being a little one-note - the players are getting back into shape, it’s more relaxed than the real games, etc. But I loved hearing from Syd Thrift, the team’s Bible-toting, wheeling-and-dealing general manager, and seeing him infuse the team with one innovative strategy after another. The Pirates were an up-and-coming team under his leadership, with Barry Bonds as the most notable youngster on their roster. Jim Leyland, a future Hall of Fame manager, was getting his first crack at the job as well, and he also made a strong impression on me with his quotes.
Zinsser is a true journalist - he’s there to get the story. He tells you exactly what he heard and saw that day, and does a good job making each character distinct. He doesn’t preach a message, he just collects a few interesting vignettes and lets you soak it up. Because it’s Spring Training - it’s relaxed, it’s down to earth, and it’s baseball without all the glamor. If that sounds appealing to you, I think it’s worth a read.
April 6, 2012
This book is a real snoozer. I consistently wondered why Zinsser wrote it; he seemed as nonplussed by his trip to Pittsburgh spring training as I did reading about it. The details are as mundane as can be. The only little spark of life was a quick two pages (toward the end) where Zinsser gets to meet Edd Roush, who, at the time, was the oldest living Hall of Famer.
But Roush's brief appearance can't salvage the rest of the book. Zinsser is so ill-suited to write about his subject. He takes the greatest American game, the game steeped in mythology and metaphor and some of the most profoundly rich characters of all time...and makes it perfectly dull.
I often read a baseball book in the early spring to get ready for the season, and this is one of the worst I've encountered.
But Roush's brief appearance can't salvage the rest of the book. Zinsser is so ill-suited to write about his subject. He takes the greatest American game, the game steeped in mythology and metaphor and some of the most profoundly rich characters of all time...and makes it perfectly dull.
I often read a baseball book in the early spring to get ready for the season, and this is one of the worst I've encountered.
September 16, 2012
Nothing really distinguished this book. Is it great? No. It's not the most lively thing to write a book about. It's like writing about a family christmas party, it feels soft and fluffy with a few good characters. That said, it does put you into the people and places and pieces that make up spring training. It reads like a collection of newspaper stories, each somewhat independent of the other, which means you don't really need to read from front to back. I jumped to chapter 15 (Calling on Edd Rousch) because of praise for that chapter and did find it to be one of the more lively ones. So if anything it gives more overview than depth. I was left wanting more personality and a lot less lengthy quotes.
August 30, 2016
Enjoyable read. Makes me want to go to Florida and visit during spring training.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews