GameChanger: The Baseball Parent's Ultimate Guide

by Michael McCree

The Baseball Parent’s Ultimate Guide is a unique work created by baseball trainer Michael McCree to communicate the best ways baseball parents can raise and guide their aspiring ball players. This book is designed to help parents realize that they can acquire the knowledge it takes to make a meaningful impact in the ongoing development of their youth baseball player (ages 5-13), regardless of prior understanding of the game. The information presented in The Baseball Parent’s Ultimate Guide will transform the way parents think about issues pertaining to youth baseball. The subject matter, written by a former collegiate baseball player with over 20 years of playing and private training experience, includes topics like character building, managing expectations, overcoming slumps, dealing with injuries, and teaching the mental aspect of baseball.

164 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 29, 2014

Reviews

[Amanda Gallenberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Game Changer--The Baseball Parent's Ultimate Guide.....this book was definitely interesting and gave me some good insights, as a mother of 2 baseball players. It opened some good conversation with a colleague, who all had 2 baseball players and has the experience I do not yet have, as her boys are older and have played more competitively. If you have a kid who plays ball, I definitely recommend reading this. #readersofinstagram #readeveryday #readallthebooks #readinggoals #booknerd #baseballmom

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking more for “kid baseball for dummies” but really enjoyed much of this man’s perspective on parenting developing baseball players. There were specifics to the sport like swing instruction but also sound advice and reminders to parents of kids playing any sport - be patient in slumps, watch what you say in front of your child, boost their confidence, etc.

[Mackenzie McNamara-Hutchison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

This is a book you will want to keep at your disposal and refer back to over and over. There is loads of good information - a lot of which will keep yourself, as a parent, in check.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very nice, informative basic book. And it really is basic, because each player's situation is so specific it is hard to get very technical here. I thought overall there is good advice here for any parent just beginning to let their son play baseball, especially if their son show potential to play long term.

What this book is lacking:

1. More information on bats- suggested lengths by height and age are here, but weight info is missing, plus what drop means. Discussion on materials is very limited, but I appreciated the advice to practice with wooden bats.
2. I would have liked to see some websites and any other resources on travel teams, bat reviews, technical videos on swing, etc. I know they are out there, but just not sure which websites are most helpful.
3. Curiously missing- any mention of machine pitch vs. coach pitch for 7-8 year olds and pros/cons, a huge debate.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I was a little early in reading this book; my son is only 6 and just starting youth baseball. I would recommend it to parents of ballplayers ages 8 and up, maybe even a little older.