Foul Ball: My Life and Hard Times Trying to Save an Old Ballpark

by Jim Bouton

The author describes his efforts to preserve a historic ballpark in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

Genres: Baseball, Sports, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir

354 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2003

About the author

James Alan Bouton (March 8, 1939 – July 10, 2019) was an American professional baseball player. Bouton played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a pitcher for the New York Yankees, Seattle Pilots, Houston Astros, and Atlanta Braves between 1962 and 1978. He was also a best-selling author, actor, activist, sportscaster and one of the creators of Big League Chew.

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

For years, I'd always intended (and still do intend) to read Bouton's classic baseball book, Ball Four. But I hadn't even heard of his new book until I received it as a Christmas gift from my father. Foul Ball is not simply a great book for people who love baseball and what makes the game so wonderful (hint: it's not skyboxes or retractable roofs). It's one of those rare books that takes a relatively small story (small-town corruption and greed) and ends up revealing an awful lot about human nature (mostly bad, some good). Bouton's voice is very engaging--once you read the first few pages of the Intro, he's got you, and you're in it for the long haul. And the story is as compelling a drama as it is an unbelievable tale of the lengths some people will go to line their own pockets or grab a little bit of power--as well as the lengths the author and his partner will go to try to do the right thing.

I was particulary interested to read Bouton's account (in the Epilogue) of how his original publisher, Public Affairs, jerked him around at the eleventh hour. As an editor and author who has worked in book publishing for the past 15 years, I was disgusted by the behavior of his editor and publisher, whose actions were inexcusable.

I would highly recommend Foul Ball to anyone interested in baseball, the media (particulary local media in smaller markets), or the ways that big business can corrupt public affairs and discourse. It's a great read, and even though it sheds light on some dark and disturbing aspects of American society, you feel good knowing that there are people like Jim Bouton, and his friend and partner, out there fighting the good fight.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Featuring an epigram from Arundhati Roy, a blurb from Kurt Vonnegut, and the authorial voice that makes Ball Four a widely acknowledged classic, Bouton recounts his attempt to preserve a minor league ballpark in the Berkshires and the corrupt politicians and corporations that successfully opposed his effort. I was almost expecting to learn that he had dedicated the book to me. Alas.

[Paul Montag · Rating 4 out of 5]

Foul Ball is a diary Jim Bouton wrote in 2001 about how he and his friend Chip Elitzer tried to preserve historic Wahconah Park, in the face of opposition who wanted to tear it down and build a new stadium at taxpayer expense. Things start out innocently enough, with Jim and Chip meeting for lunch those wanting to build a new stadium, which included local politicians and writers from the local newspaper the Berkshire Eagle. What unfolds is a David vs. Goliath story that is hard to believe. One thing made clear to the reader is that Jim and Chip’s proposal was a slam dunk win. They would have renovated Wahconah Park at no taxpayer expense and brought to the project a lot of creativity and enthusiasm. There is no question that the people of Pittsfield strongly supported them and did not want to front the bill for a new stadium. Bouton points out how the situation in Pittsfield is a microcosm for how sports teams operate in the nation at large, with owners demanding that taxpayers build them a new stadium or else they will leave town.
A lot of people are involved in this story and keeping them all straight felt at times like reading a big baggy novel by Tolstoy or Dostoevsky. And some of Bouton’s diary entries are more interesting than others. He and Chip are forced to do many tedious things to pursue their goal of preserving Wahconah Park, like attend meeting after meeting with the city officials, and I wonder if Bouton could have condensed some of the details. Bouton also shares various editorials written by the Berkshire Eagle about their case, and some letters to the editor that he and Chip wrote in response. These will surely infuriate the reader for how one-sided the newspaper was, and clearly biased against Jim and Chip from the beginning. And why the bias? Trying to figure that out is what makes this book read partly like a mystery or detective story. The local government, newspaper, and the General Electric corporation are determined to reject Jim and Chip’s winning offer in favor of one that hardly anyone else in Pittsfield wanted. As Bouton fits the pieces together the situation becomes ominous and paints a picture that is a little scary.
Making up for those parts of the story that get caught up with the technical details of contracts, proposals, and city council meetings is the chief merit of the book, Bouton’s friendliness. Even while critiquing his enemies, he remains good company, and is humorous and fun. It was also enjoyable to read about what Jim and Chip’s wives Paula and Cindy thought of their endeavor. Their observations are always interesting, and oftentimes a step ahead of their husbands. Bouton wrote his diary in the summer and early fall of 2001, and it is fascinating to read his account of 9/11 the day of and the days following that horrific event; also, the thoughts he shared about his own daughter Laurie’s tragic death from a car accident several years before. Foul Ball is not on par with Ball Four; reading about corruption in local media, government, and business is not quite as fun as reading about the silliness and pathos of a major league clubhouse. But Bouton still delivered another gift to humanity with this friendly book. He had to publish it himself, a fact I’m thankful he took notes on, too, for some of the more interesting pages occur at the end and are about the publishing industry, and why his own publisher backed out. I highly recommend Foul Ball not just for fans of Ball Four, but to anyone who roots for the underdog.

[Wayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jim Bouton has a way of writing about civil corruption that makes you want to laugh instead of cry. This is his account of his attempts to renovate a historical ballpark in New England and field a locally owned team that would not be able to hold the city hostage for amenities such as a new stadium. The town had voted four times against building a new stadium. When Bouton and his partners offer to invest their own money in the city owned park and promise to keep baseball in Pittsfield they expect to be welcomed like heroes. With the majority of the population behind them they only had to deal with:

a mayor who remembers every "slight" against him
city councilors who seem to make all their decisions at a bar downtown
park commissioners who always have to call someone else to know what to do
a local paper which owns the land that has been set aside for a new stadium
pollution scandals
a man in Denver who seems to be running it all
Bouton's witty observations and personal style of writing make the read less like a civics lesson and more like a Mafioso comedy. A highly entertaining read for anyone who likes to root for the underdog, regardless of their interest in sports.

[Benjamin Kahn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is a good one and very interesting. But I did find, and I think I found this when I read Ball Four as well, that I'm not crazy about his style. The story of backroom dealings and his efforts to try to save a historic ball park were compelling, but the frequent breaks so he can reveal his conversations with his partner or with his wife where he takes shots at his opponents breaks up the flow of the book and don't really add anything. Also, he comes off as a little to full of himself, especially on the occasions when he brags to his wife about how nobody else could do what he and his partner have done to save the park.

That said, the story itself is an important one and I'm glad he had the courage to tell it. It's despicable what big corporations can get away with when armed with the compliance of government.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a "can't put it down" kinda book. I've been meaning to read Ball Four for years but never got around to it. My grand daughters gave me this one for Christmas and it's a doozey! It combines baseball, small town politics and big business coverups in an incredible story that you wouldn't believe, except that you have absolutely no trouble believing it. Bouton and two partners hope to save an historic ballfield in Pittsfield MA by bringing in an independent league. The town is in favor, the deal is both fair and attractive, but the small town politicians who run Pittsfield have their sights set on a new stadium. Extremely well written and funny, it is reminiscent of Jack Douglas' book "Benedict Arnold Slept Here." I highly recommend this one.

[Will G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, written in the same style as Bouton’s classic Ball Four. This time he takes on small city politics, GE’s polluting of that city and minor league baseball all at once. Bouton and his primary business partner Chip Eliser try to restore historic Waconah Park and take on all comers. A roller coaster of a story with lots of ups and downs, you need to read it to hear the outcome. On the downside, too many names to keep track of easily but unfortunately most of them play n important role. Try it if you enjoyed Ball Four but understand there is much less baseball involved.

[Michael Cohen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another call for Pittsfield, MA Political Reform w/ Baseball as the Backdrop

A real story about the berkshires, a beautiful old ballpark and the corrupt company town that resisted its renovation due to bullshit politics and corruption. A little long in the details but important to support the journalism. Some personal details of the author's life at home at times seems distracting and detracting from the tome.

[Rob Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I didn't realize that Jim Bouton wrote another book after "Ball Four" and was really excited to single upon this. His wit and sarcasm keeps book fun despite the troubling truths he finds hidden in a small town. I highly recommend this to anyone interested in baseball, curupt politics, and unrealistic realities.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

More about local politics than baseball, but has Bouton's great flair for writing in a way that makes you feel like you know him personally. Amazing ending!

[Pablo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part memoir, part investigative journalism, Bouton reveals the big-time politics that take place even in small-town America. Lift enough rocks and you'll find more slugs than you ever imagined.