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Baseball Crazy: Ten Short Stories that Cover All the Bases
How magical is the experience of attending your very first baseball game and hearing the crack of the bat resound throughout the stadium? What?s more terrifying than being out in left field praying the ball doesn?t come your way? Who better are the friends you make while playing out on that diamond? Here are ten new fictional stories that celebrate all aspects of the game of baseball. And what a starting lineup! From John H. Ritter, author of The Boy Who Saved Baseball , to Newbery Award?winning Jerry Spinelli, this is a gathering of ten great authors for children, some of whom are specifically known for their writing about baseball. Featuring a story told in poems and another in a play format, Baseball Crazy is a truly diverse collection that will appeal to fanatics of the sport as well as those sitting hesitantly out on the bench. Batter up!
192 pages, Hardcover
First published March 13, 2008
18 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
About the author
Nancy E. Mercado
8 books4 followersPoet, writer, educator, and activist Nancy E. Mercado is the author of It Concerns the Madness (2000) and editor of the children’s anthology if the world were mine (2003). She earned a BA from Rutgers University, an MA from New York University, and a PhD in English from SUNY-Binghamton. Latino Leaders Magazine hailed Mercado as “one of the most celebrated members of the Puerto Rican literary movement in the Big Apple.”
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
December 17, 2014
Baseball crazy was a book with ten short stories that tell about how they play baseball situations they go through. In the 1st story tells about a boy who lives in a foster home and a man that goes buy the name Gus Zernial, takes the boy to a baseball game. The 2nd story tells about a boy named Mark Pang and how he is very bad at baseball it is about how there is an impossible square there are three sections Mark can try to catch move or get hit in the head. Mark has never caught a ball in his life now he is going to try to catch it. The 3rd is about a boy named Kirby and he has trouble hitting but his best friend that is a girl is in he same league and is a way better hitter than Kirby. Kirby is scared that he will not make the team because he stinks at hitting. This is a really good book and recommended it to anybody that likes baseball or a good book to read.
March 18, 2016
Excelente!! Loved the different stories and I would like to read more form the authors.
October 12, 2018
Spoiler Alert
I would partially recommend the book Baseball Crazy by Nancy E. Mercado. The book contains ten short stories, with ten different authors writing the stories. The short stories can vary from anything involving the game, baseball. For example, one story was about an orphan watching baseball for the first time, or a baseball player fighting for a starting spot on the little league team. What I partially recommend from the book is that it's a great book for people who enjoy baseball. It gives many perspectives of the game I love. It also shows how baseball can bring happiness and many mixed emotions from the game. With a story about Kirb, his story was about friendships he made with his teammates during the season. One of the the teammates was a girl, and he liked her on the field, but not necessarily that much off. As the season went on, he needed help hitting. So with mental toughness and talks the girl gave him, he used those to drive him to become a better player. That created a bond with that girl, playing the game of baseball. What I don't recommend about this story is that it doesn't bring as much suspense that a book with only one plot, and story. Although the short stories have suspense and a rising and falling action, it is not as greater than a regular book would have.
I would partially recommend the book Baseball Crazy by Nancy E. Mercado. The book contains ten short stories, with ten different authors writing the stories. The short stories can vary from anything involving the game, baseball. For example, one story was about an orphan watching baseball for the first time, or a baseball player fighting for a starting spot on the little league team. What I partially recommend from the book is that it's a great book for people who enjoy baseball. It gives many perspectives of the game I love. It also shows how baseball can bring happiness and many mixed emotions from the game. With a story about Kirb, his story was about friendships he made with his teammates during the season. One of the the teammates was a girl, and he liked her on the field, but not necessarily that much off. As the season went on, he needed help hitting. So with mental toughness and talks the girl gave him, he used those to drive him to become a better player. That created a bond with that girl, playing the game of baseball. What I don't recommend about this story is that it doesn't bring as much suspense that a book with only one plot, and story. Although the short stories have suspense and a rising and falling action, it is not as greater than a regular book would have.
May 8, 2017
This book is the perfect book for baseball lovers. I like this because there is 10 short stories about 10 different kids in baseball. Anyone can enjoy this book.
November 12, 2019
Got this book in a 2016 World Series Champions (Cubs duh) themed Mr. T Experience gift set. Fun read of 10 short stories. Not quite "YA" & not quite "children's," perhaps just "youth?" Ha
April 27, 2009
I love to buy my twelve-year-old nephew books; I am ever hopeful that he’ll turn into a reader. Right now, he’s into baseball; plays on a tournament team and so forth. So when I saw Baseball Crazy: Ten Stories That Cover all the Bases at a St. Louis indie, I had to buy it for him.
And of course I had to read it first, and I’m so glad that I did. Puffin says the stories are geared toward the eight- to twelve-year-old reader, but these stories are so well written that they will appeal to readers and baseball fans of all ages. The only thing that gears these stories toward younger readers is that all the protagonists are eight to twelve year olds.
My favorite story is the title story: Baseball Crazy by John H. Ritter. While all of the stories take place on ball fields, Baseball Crazy’s time is the 1950s. The narrator wants to “tell you a little story about Frankie Alvarez, the finest secret agent baseball player I’ve ever known.” This laugh-out-loud story had me clutching my sides. The last time I laughed that hard at a character, the last James Herriott novel had just been released.
Ritter writes a lot of books about baseball---there’s a scorecard for each writer as well as a list of other publications the reader might enjoy—so he knows his stuff. Other writers (that I have heard of) include Charles R. Smith, Maria Testa, and Jerry Spinelli. All the stories are original, well-crafted, and worth the time.
Baseball Crazy will have appeal to both sexes as the genders of the participants are both boys and girls.
If I had to find a negative thing to say about Baseball Crazy: Ten Stories That Cover all the Bases, well, I can’t find one unless it is that the book’s editor, Nancy E. Mercado, knew nothing about baseball when she was given the assignment. Now, thanks to these wonderful stories, Mercado is a convert to summer’s game.
Review originally appeared on www.armchairinterviews.com
And of course I had to read it first, and I’m so glad that I did. Puffin says the stories are geared toward the eight- to twelve-year-old reader, but these stories are so well written that they will appeal to readers and baseball fans of all ages. The only thing that gears these stories toward younger readers is that all the protagonists are eight to twelve year olds.
My favorite story is the title story: Baseball Crazy by John H. Ritter. While all of the stories take place on ball fields, Baseball Crazy’s time is the 1950s. The narrator wants to “tell you a little story about Frankie Alvarez, the finest secret agent baseball player I’ve ever known.” This laugh-out-loud story had me clutching my sides. The last time I laughed that hard at a character, the last James Herriott novel had just been released.
Ritter writes a lot of books about baseball---there’s a scorecard for each writer as well as a list of other publications the reader might enjoy—so he knows his stuff. Other writers (that I have heard of) include Charles R. Smith, Maria Testa, and Jerry Spinelli. All the stories are original, well-crafted, and worth the time.
Baseball Crazy will have appeal to both sexes as the genders of the participants are both boys and girls.
If I had to find a negative thing to say about Baseball Crazy: Ten Stories That Cover all the Bases, well, I can’t find one unless it is that the book’s editor, Nancy E. Mercado, knew nothing about baseball when she was given the assignment. Now, thanks to these wonderful stories, Mercado is a convert to summer’s game.
Review originally appeared on www.armchairinterviews.com
February 27, 2014
Do you dream about hitting that perfect home run? Do you live breathe or just occasionally think about baseball? In Baseball Crazy a collection of 10 short stories, by 10 great authors you can meet other people who do too. In the first story by Jerry Spinelli, about an orphan who is just experiencing baseball for the first time, the boy describes the baseball as, “Dove-white, just like the baseball,falling from the sun- squinting sky, angel white against the murky girded ceiling, engulfed at last into a mass of frantically straining arms several aisles away.” I loved this book because I love baseball and I can relate to every one of the 10 short stories. I recommend this book for girls and boys, from 6th to 9th grades for some of the language in this book, who love sports books. This book hasn’t won any awards, but is due for one soon. Another book similar to Baseball Crazy is Baseball Great, by Tim Green. In a review by Publishers Weekly, they rave about Baseball Crazy by stating, “ Their is no shortage of great writing in this collection of short stories.”
May 8, 2014
This book was one of the most satisfying books to read. I believe this because I can relate to some of the stories because I play baseball. It has all of the aspects of each position, and what happens at them.
Even though the stories are all written by different authors, they all flow together into one long book. This means that each story jsut goes right into the next. All of them have great detail, and include a lot of description. I liked that all of the stories didn't have fantasy like stories, with unbelievable events. If there was a sequel, I would defienetely read it.
I would recommend this book to anybody from the age 10-15 because that is where most of the things would start to make sense. A lot of it has baseball terms which younger children wouldn't understand. THat doesn't mean that everyone shouldn't read the book though.
Even though the stories are all written by different authors, they all flow together into one long book. This means that each story jsut goes right into the next. All of them have great detail, and include a lot of description. I liked that all of the stories didn't have fantasy like stories, with unbelievable events. If there was a sequel, I would defienetely read it.
I would recommend this book to anybody from the age 10-15 because that is where most of the things would start to make sense. A lot of it has baseball terms which younger children wouldn't understand. THat doesn't mean that everyone shouldn't read the book though.
May 13, 2015
Baseball crazy was a book with ten short stories that tell about how they play baseball situations they go through. In the 1st story tells about a boy who lives in a foster home and a man that goes buy the name Gus Zernial, takes the boy to a baseball game. The 2nd story tells about a boy named Mark Pang and how he is very bad at baseball it is about how there is an impossible square there are three sections Mark can try to catch move or get hit in the head. Mark has never caught a ball in his life now he is going to try to catch it. The 3rd is about a boy named Kirby and he has trouble hitting but his best friend that is a girl is in he same league and is a way better hitter than Kirby. Kirby is scared that he will not make the team because he stinks at hitting. This is a really good book and recommended it to anybody would like a good book to read.
September 28, 2010
The focus here is on the game, and these stories get the game right, for the most part. There’s a few too many sliders and curve balls from Little League and teenage pitchers, but maybe I’m a bit out of touch on that count.
One pleasant surprise, there’s very little last minute heroics or life–lesson losses. I wish there were a few more laughs, and I’m as guilty as anyone for taking sports way too seriously. I have three favorites – "Mark Pang and the Impossible Square," "Just Like Grampy," and "The Great Gus Zernial and Me." Better than that, there’s no weak link. This is a collection for any sports fan to enjoy.
One pleasant surprise, there’s very little last minute heroics or life–lesson losses. I wish there were a few more laughs, and I’m as guilty as anyone for taking sports way too seriously. I have three favorites – "Mark Pang and the Impossible Square," "Just Like Grampy," and "The Great Gus Zernial and Me." Better than that, there’s no weak link. This is a collection for any sports fan to enjoy.
February 23, 2015
The book baseball crazy was a very weird book for me. The authors were telling their stories about baseball the sTories were about the authors times when they experienced baseball. Some of the authors were Jerry Spinelli and like nine others. The reason that I gave this book a low two star rating was because that this book was a little too weird for me. Also at the beginning of each of the authors story it showed a baseball card of them. Each of the stories were both boring and some were exciting. So I hope that you read the book baseball CRAZY!!!!! And on the further note this book was super weird
February 27, 2015
Baseball Crazy by Nancy E. Mercado is a book about 10 different peoples first baseball experience as children. From an orphan going to his first ball game with a volunteer to a big kid named Mark Pang who is awful at baseball playing left field.
Is book is a good book if you like sporty funny books. It takes place when the authors where children and where they grow up.
What I really like about this book is that it tells ten different peoples story's and they are very fun. I recommend this book to anyone who is Baseball Crazy.
Is book is a good book if you like sporty funny books. It takes place when the authors where children and where they grow up.
What I really like about this book is that it tells ten different peoples story's and they are very fun. I recommend this book to anyone who is Baseball Crazy.
February 12, 2008
Speaking as a nine year old boy who checked out every single baseball book in his elementary school library: I don't want to read pitiful stories about kids who didn't want to play in the first place. I want stories of the power and glory and mystical magnetism of baseball.
As a children's book, the short stories are well-written, and may be more interesting to tweens and even adults. Have your kids skip this one and read Kadir Nelson's We Are the Ship instead.
As a children's book, the short stories are well-written, and may be more interesting to tweens and even adults. Have your kids skip this one and read Kadir Nelson's We Are the Ship instead.
June 3, 2015
Baseball Crazy, by Nancy E. Mercado, is a short novel with 10 mini-stories inside of the book. The mini-stories are very interesting and the reader’s point of view is different in every story. This book is great for baseball fanatics. I recommend this book to anyone who wants a quick and easy read over a vacation, or in your free time. This book is very relatable, and although the stories are short, they are very well written.
July 28, 2015
These ten stories come in multiple formats and voices, ranging from slangy urban dialect to verse to a three-act play. It’s so varied that I’m not sure how many readers will want to just read this book cover to cover, but most readers who were drawn in by the cover should find at least one thing they like.
December 16, 2010
a very good book that 10 short stories in it, couple of the short stories I didn't like, But this is a book you should deffiantely consider reading it has poems, stage scenes, if I liked it you might like it too
August 29, 2011
It was kinda of a good book.I say kinda of a good book because its sometimes boring on some chapters.But its probably a good book for people who love baseball.Then that means Basball Crazy is the right book for you.
April 19, 2008
This was a nice collection of very short pieces on baseball. I especially liked the first two selections - by Jerry Spinelli and Frank Portman.
July 31, 2008
A collection of ten short stories about baseball written by some of today's popular authors.
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March 19, 2009JF Mer
January 4, 2010
Stories about America's game ranging from decent to great! Good collection for any sports reader.
May 23, 2011
i am on the 7th story out of the ten. if you like baseball then you should read this book.
May 16, 2012
this was a really great book. all of these great authors have really good stories to tell except 1 which was really confusing and REALLY boring...
June 21, 2012
Well-written short stories about kids playing baseball. A perfect read during Josh's first baseball playoff season.
October 2, 2013
it is a good book i love baseball books
Read
September 16, 2016The book was very interesting and I really liked it a lot. it made me more interested in short stories.
December 3, 2017
This book is terrible, don't ever read this!!!!!!
February 15, 2009
Super short-stories
May 27, 2009
i liked this book because it had alot of stories of diffrent authors.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews