Overview

Being a professional baseball player is no walk in the park--it's a physically and mentally demanding job. When you're on the field, millions of people are expecting you to record base hits as a batter or strikeouts as a pitcher. And the work continues beyond game time; you need to practice, work out, and scout your competition. Aches and pains are a given. And on top of everything else, you must perform amidst constant travel, media attention, and high expectations. Baseball has been America's pastime for more than a century. And for those who uphold the tradition in the major leagues today, there's nothing else like it. This book, which was reviewed by 12-year Major League Baseball (MLB) veteran and World Series champion Gabe Kapler, offers an authentic look at what life is like as a pro baseball player. You'll learn: - What kinds of skills it takes to play in the major leagues - What daily life is like for an MLB player - How MLB players prevent and treat injuries Go behind the scenes and see what it's really like to be an MLB star!

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9781467738460

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Reviews

Playing Pro Sports is a four-volume series exploring life as an athlete in the big leagues of baseball, football, basketball, and hockey. Each of the two books reviewed began with a profile of a well known, world-class athlete in the highlighted sport followed by a brief history of the game. This is followed by a summary of the skills required to excel and the daily routine accepted by the players who make it to the big leagues. Chapters focus on the importance of fitness and nutrition, as well as the danger of injuries, such as concussions. There is also an emphasis on the misuse of supplements, painkillers, and performance-enhancing drugs, all important issues for young, aspiring athletes. Each book concludes with a sample training plan, an equipment diagram, and a glossary of potentially unfamiliar terms. This series is well written, and is presented in a realistic manner. Of particular note, it reminds the reader of the rarity of actually making the big leagues in any sport rather than offering up a pie-in-the-sky, 'follow your dreams' mantra. Prior to publication, each book in the series was reviewed by a long-time veteran of that sport, and the authenticity that affords is reflected in the content. There is a great deal of visual appeal in the overall appearance of the series; it has drawing power from first glance for young readers (particularly male readers) and should circulate significantly among middle school and younger high school aged readers. --VOYA --Journal Top-notch writing, colorful photos and sidebars, fact boxes, and diagrams combine to make this series a standout. Many readers dream of athletic stardom: these books offer an overview of the less glamorous side: what players must do to reach the professional level of sports, athletes' daily routines, and how they avoid injuries. With their busy schedules of games and travel, pro-basketball players frequently take naps to catch up on much-needed rest, while football players need more than just sleep to recover from the toll exacted by game day, which one former linebacker likened to being 'in several car crashes.' Sleep, diet, and a year-round fitness regimen are essential for players. Descriptions of training exercises are also included, such as the 'crossover lunge' practiced by many hockey players and Gold Grove second baseman Brandon Phillips' fielding exercises. A great series that sheds light on the reality of life in professional sports. --School Library Journal, Series Made Simple --Journal

Top-notch writing, colorful photos and sidebars, fact boxes, and diagrams combine to make this series a standout. Many readers dream of athletic stardom: these books offer an overview of the less glamorous side: what players must do to reach the professional level of sports, athletes' daily routines, and how they avoid injuries. With their busy schedules of games and travel, pro-basketball players frequently take naps to catch up on much-needed rest, while football players need more than just sleep to recover from the toll exacted by game day, which one former linebacker likened to being 'in several car crashes.' Sleep, diet, and a year-round fitness regimen are essential for players. Descriptions of training exercises are also included, such as the 'crossover lunge' practiced by many hockey players and Gold Grove second baseman Brandon Phillips' fielding exercises. A great series that sheds light on the reality of life in professional sports. --School Library Journal, Series Made Simple --Journal Playing Pro Sports is a four-volume series exploring life as an athlete in the big leagues of baseball, football, basketball, and hockey. Each of the two books reviewed began with a profile of a well known, world-class athlete in the highlighted sport followed by a brief history of the game. This is followed by a summary of the skills required to excel and the daily routine accepted by the players who make it to the big leagues. Chapters focus on the importance of fitness and nutrition, as well as the danger of injuries, such as concussions. There is also an emphasis on the misuse of supplements, painkillers, and performance-enhancing drugs, all important issues for young, aspiring athletes. Each book concludes with a sample training plan, an equipment diagram, and a glossary of potentially unfamiliar terms. This series is well written, and is presented in a realistic manner. Of particular note, it reminds the reader of the rarity of actually making the big leagues in any sport rather than offering up a pie-in-the-sky, 'follow your dreams' mantra. Prior to publication, each book in the series was reviewed by a long-time veteran of that sport, and the authenticity that affords is reflected in the content. There is a great deal of visual appeal in the overall appearance of the series; it has drawing power from first glance for young readers (particularly male readers) and should circulate significantly among middle school and younger high school aged readers. --VOYA --Journal

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