Learning and understanding the finer points of baseball is important to learning how to play. The internet has a wealth of information when it comes to learning baseball, but there are many details that can be left out. Young athletes and coaches who are serious about taking their game to the next level should pick up a couple of the best baseball books to learn how to play or coach the sport.
While this list is geared toward young athletes playing baseball, coaches, veteran fans, players from other sports, and softball players can also learn a thing or two from all of these books. some of them may even be written by your favorite athlete! If you’re looking to learn a little more about the game of baseball, its history, and maybe some playing techniques, read on as we dive into some of the most helpful books on learning baseball.
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1. the science of hitting by ted williams
Baseball’s most prolific hitter breaks down and explains how to become a good hitter.
ted williams was the last hitter in baseball to have a .400 season and is considered by many to be the greatest hitter who ever lived. In his classic book, The Science of Hitting, he gives a master class on how to become a good contact hitter. a must read for any aspiring gamer; This book will transform the way he walks to the plate and was recently updated to include new illustrations and diagrams that reinforce Ted Williams’ tactics and techniques. Ted Williams’ The Science of Hitting could be considered a bible of baseball hitting and a must read for any player who wants to improve his hitting technique.
2. The Mental Game of Baseball: A Guide to Peak Performance by H.A. dorfman and karl kuehl
Dorfman and Kuehl outline mental strategies and skills to perfect the ‘brain’ side of the game.
The Mental Game of Baseball: A Guide to Peak Performance is a book that looks at what anyone involved in baseball can do to master the inner workings of the game. the object of the game is to win, and this is not just about athletics, it is also a mind game! Throughout the book, you’ll be introduced to helpful strategies for developing the mental skills needed to perform at your highest level throughout your baseball career. Every aspect of playing baseball requires the right frame of mind and frame of mind to perform, and this book can help you do just that.
3. watch baseball smarter by zack hample
Baseball is an intricate and complicated game. gain a better understanding of all facets with hample’s book.
zack hample provides a comprehensive guide to understanding baseball for players and fans of all ages in his book: Watch Baseball Smarter. Professional statisticians and novices alike will get something from this book and gain a new way of looking at the game. this book details tons of little intricacies of the game in a fun and unique way. If you’ve ever wondered why fans stretch in the seventh inning or how to read a scorecard, this is the book for you. After reading it, you can surprise your friends and family at parties with fun baseball facts and trivia.
4. head-to-head baseball: playing the game one pitch at a time by tom hanson, ken ravizza
Keeping your head on the proverbial swivel isn’t as easy as it sounds. Learn to focus better with this book.
Learning the mental side of baseball is just as important as having raw physical talent. If you want to play to your full potential, you should read Heads-Up Baseball: Playing the Game One Pitch at a Time. The book was written by Tom Hanson and Ken Ravizza and details exactly what you need to know and look for during a game. Peak mental performance is important if you want to win, and this book can help you do just that.
5. nolan ryan’s pitcher’s bible by tom house
What Ted Williams’ Science of Hitting book is to hitting, Nolan Ryan’s Pitchers Bible is to pitching.
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There was probably no modern player with more longevity in the game than nolan ryan and he dominated on the mound. Get the tips and tricks from him with this book and learn how to throw with power, accuracy and cunning in Nolan Ryan’s Pitching Bible by Tom House. You may read the title of this book and think that you don’t need to read it if you are not a shooter, on the contrary, this book is important for all players because it helps them to understand the mind of the shooter. Even if you’re not a pitcher, this book can help you think like one, giving you an advantage at the plate.
6. the tough 90s mentality by eric walczykowski
Walczykowski discusses valuable lessons for the baseball field and life in general.
This book contains many of the author’s practical and proven strategies to help cultivate athletic talent and success. In the tough ’90s mindset, Eric Walczykowski not only focused on creating techniques and tactics to win on the pitch, he also detailed how those same techniques can be translated to the game of life. Walczykowski, a high school baseball coach, wrote this book with the intention of helping young athletes learn how to perform at an elite level through illustrated strategies. this is a must read for young athletes in all sports.
7. 9 batting innings per troy silva
An in-depth resource for any hitter wanting to improve their swing.
troy silva reviews good swing mechanics in great detail in his book, 9 Hitting Innings. This is an excellent read for players who want to troubleshoot their swing. You won’t find any myths or bogus advice here, just things any hitter can use to develop a practice plan and improve their swing. Silva didn’t just improve the physical mechanics of the swing, he also builds on the mental approach players need to take. If you’re ready to develop an elite swing, this is the book for you.
8. the matheny manifesto by mike matheny
mike matheny, the successful coach, talks about old school but timeless ways to win in sports and in life.
mike matheny, former st. Louis Cardinals and current manager of the Kansas City Royals, offers his own “old school” advice that can be controversial at times in his book, The Matheny Manifesto. In this book, Matheny discusses what mistakes parents, athletes, and coaches make and how to correct these common mistakes and misconceptions. this is a great read for young athletes as well as their parents and coaches because everyone can learn something from it.
9. relentless optimism by darrin donnelly
relentless optimism proves that through simple but proven techniques aimed at positivity, athletes can be more successful.
donnelly describes methods and techniques that anyone can use to increase their ability to be positive and overcome adversity with ease. This book was written on the basis that a positive mental attitude will often lead to a positive outcome. With this type of mental thinking, athletes will be much more successful both in competition and in life. Relentless Optimism by Darrin Donnelly is recommended for players of all ages, all backgrounds, and all sports. it’s even a great option for anyone who struggles with discouraging thoughts or pessimistic views.
10. pure baseball by keith hernandez
hernandez brings his extensive knowledge of the game to readers so they can see how a hall of famer views baseball.
pure baseball, by keith hernandez, provides an unparalleled view of the game. two-time world series champion keither hernandez, who was also a most valuable player, 5x all-star, 11x gold glover, and has a batting title to his name, goes over at length how he views all the technical aspects of the game . . From stealing bases to signing, this book provides an insightful analysis of one of baseball’s greats. If you want to better understand the game and decisions at the time of the game, this is the book for you. baseball players and fans can get something out of this reading.
11. baseball for neurosurgeons and other fans by tim mccarver
mccarver explains baseball as only he can, with remarkable insights and uniqueness.
Tim McCarver was one of the greatest baseball television analysts of all time and brings his extensive knowledge and relatable style to help fans better understand the game in his book, Baseball for Neurosurgeons and Other Fans. In this book, readers will see the game from a whole new point of view, the mind of a baseball analyst.
12. a youth guide to playing baseball by joel pace
This handbook is great for kids learning the game with age-appropriate skills, drills, tips, and tricks.
This book is a must for any newcomer to baseball who wants to learn all they can about the game. Joel Pace’s Youth Guide to Playing Baseball is a practical manual that teaches young athletes of all levels how to hit, pitch, field, and throw. Included in this book are fun and engaging drills and exercises to teach the game and other activities to help them understand the history and culture of the game. this is a good read for players, coaches, and parents.
13. the baseball coach’s bible by jerry kindall, john winkin
Coaches from all levels of baseball come together to definitively discuss what great baseball coaching is.
27 coaches from all walks of baseball life cover every facet of baseball coaching. Combined, these coaches have won 50 national titles and boast an impressive 25,000 game wins. The wide range of coaches who contributed to this book is not limited to just Major League Baseball, but many other levels of play and divisions as well. the varied and vast amount of information is a must for coaches who want to learn from the best in the game. Players can also get something out of this book because these coaches delve into their coaching styles, strategies, and drills. if you’re looking to improve your baseball game and want to learn from the best, this is the book to go for.
14. ben lindbergh’s mvp machine
The MVP Machine looks at how coaching and development are still better keys to success than any new trend.
the mvp machine, by ben lindbergh and travis sawchik, offers a somewhat contrarian look at what success is in baseball and how coaches, players and officials can achieve it in a sport that has become too data-driven . This book dives deep into prospecting and exploration as you strive to find and develop the best athletes. If you’ve read or seen the movie Moneyball about the Oakland Athletics, this should be your next read.
15. mind of a top hitter by michael mccree
mccree discusses how art, science, and philosophy come together to help create a great hitter.
by increasing the intelligence of hitters, both mentally and physically, michael mccree argues that they will in turn become better hitters. Through reading the mind of a top hitter, players can gain insight into what it takes to be a great baseball player. This book was designed for players of all ages and can help you overcome mental slumps, gain better focus, increase your awareness of situational hitting, and build confidence during your at-bat. The Mind of a Top Hitter includes input from former player Steve Springer, hitting coach C.J. Stewart, former player and hitting coach Laura Berg, and more. if you want to learn the science behind being an exceptional hitter, pick this one up today.