What do you think?
Writing Baseball
The Best Seat in Baseball, But You Have to Stand!: The Game as Umpires See It
To provide this unique—if controversial—look at major league baseball as umpires see it, Lee Gutkind spent the 1974 season traveling with the umpiring crew of Doug Harvey (crew chief), Nick Colosi, Harry Wendelstedt, and Art Williams, the first black umpire in the National League. The result is an honest, realistic, insightful study of the private and professional world of major league umpires: their prejudices and petty biases, their unbending pride in their performance, their inside perspectives on the game, and their bitter criticism of the abuse often directed at their profession and at their conduct. As relevant today as it was in 1974, this illustrated chronicle shows how little has changed in the lives and duties of umpires in the last quarter century.
Guided by his passionate love for the game as he wrote The Best Seat in Baseball, But You Have to Stand!, Gutkind attempted to present the umpires in a positive but realistic light: "I portrayed them as real people, honorable, hard-working and dedicated, but with warts and flaws like the rest of us. But they didn't want to be compared with real people; they wanted to be umpires—on a plateau above most everyone else." Since the publication of this book in 1975, neither Harvey nor Wendelstedt have communicated with Gutkind, with Wendelstedt even denying that Gutkind traveled with the crew.
Guided by his passionate love for the game as he wrote The Best Seat in Baseball, But You Have to Stand!, Gutkind attempted to present the umpires in a positive but realistic light: "I portrayed them as real people, honorable, hard-working and dedicated, but with warts and flaws like the rest of us. But they didn't want to be compared with real people; they wanted to be umpires—on a plateau above most everyone else." Since the publication of this book in 1975, neither Harvey nor Wendelstedt have communicated with Gutkind, with Wendelstedt even denying that Gutkind traveled with the crew.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1975
About the author
Lee Gutkind
107 books101 followersLee Gutkind has been recognized by Vanity Fair as “the godfather behind creative nonfiction.” A prolific writer, he has authored and edited over twenty-five books, and is the founder and editor of Creative Nonfiction, the first and largest literary magazine to publish only narrative nonfiction. Gutkind has received grants, honors, and awards from numerous organizations including the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Science Foundation. A man of many talents, Gutkind has been a motorcyclist, medical insider, sports expert, sailor, and college professor. He is currently distinguished writer in residence in the Consortium for Science, Policy, and Outcomes at Arizona State University and a professor in the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 1, 2026
Following an umpiring crew in 1974, I expected a book filled with anecdotes and life on the road as they hopped from city to city to lord over the baseball diamond. Speaking of Lord, the crew chief, Doug Harvey was the dean of umpires for many years and referred to as “God” by the players.
While it did paint a well enough picture of an umpire’s life, much of the book focused on Art Williams, the first black umpire in the National League. Harvey was tasked along with Nick Colosi and Harry Wendlestet to help Williams improve. A bit harsh to read at times, but this book is certainly of its times and pulls no punches.
While it did paint a well enough picture of an umpire’s life, much of the book focused on Art Williams, the first black umpire in the National League. Harvey was tasked along with Nick Colosi and Harry Wendlestet to help Williams improve. A bit harsh to read at times, but this book is certainly of its times and pulls no punches.
July 30, 2020
"There is no better judge of what is right and wrong than an umpire. There is no man more honest and impartial than an umpire... He was an umpire and, as such, he was larger than life."
In "The Best Seat in Baseball," Lee Gutkind pulls back the curtain on umpires - at least, one particular crew of them - in the MLB in the 1970s. The book is neither romanticization of umpires nor a vilification of them; it is, instead, a complex and multifaceted look at their vexing personalities. The umpires shine and shrivel on their own terms and through their own words and actions, leaving behind characters that are simultaneously human and machine, simultaneously lovable and vile, simultaneously relatable and opaque.
Perhaps no narrative within the book captures this as well as Gutkind's exploration of the treatment of Art Williams, the second Black umpire in the MLB. He's hounded relentlessly by the other four members of his crew, who resent him for being fast-tracked forward as a token, while so many other umps (in their view) deserve the place over him. Their actions towards Williams (relentless critique, advising, etc) seem to represent both earnest attempts to help him improve his technique, born of a real desire to see him continue on in the league as a colleague... and absolute blindness towards the differential standards they apply to him versus others, calling attention to every judgement he makes in a way that puts him in a guaranteed, no-win situation. Gutkind is surprisingly fair in his treatment of the umpires - especially given the way they treat him on the basis of his religion, as he confides in the final chapter - yet also allows their actions and words to cut through in a way that reveals their true colours. They're seemingly simultaneously earnestly invested in and caring for Williams, while all the while treating him massively differently (in subtle ways that are hard to stamp out) because of his race.
Perhaps the one place where Gutkind's portrayal of the umpires is flat is the place where it's most accurate. The umpires see themselves as a god-like force, laying down impartial and absolutely fair law. They acknowledge, of course, times they miss the calls, but - in their telling - this humility and the perceived rareness of these transgressions gets warped into a defence of their objectiveness and impartiality as the embodiment of all things good about America and about the game. They convince themselves, increasingly throughout the season, of just how good they are, dialling up punishment to those who talk back in a quest to ensure the preservation of their status. And, of course, few threats are as significant as something like a video umpire, which could never capture the accuracy and nuance that they do.
All told, Gutkind's book is a really intriguing deep-dive into the world of umpires. It does, of course, depend on having more than a casual interest in baseball, as well as being able to reflect on the vignettes and stories that Gutkind reveals (he's not, to his credit, keen to moralize or draw simple lessons, meaning that the reader needs to sit with the material here to really allow it to bloom). Yet, it's a wonderful little time capsule of umpires in the 1970s... and, frankly, seems surprisingly timeless. How curious I'd be for the version 40 or 50 years later.
In "The Best Seat in Baseball," Lee Gutkind pulls back the curtain on umpires - at least, one particular crew of them - in the MLB in the 1970s. The book is neither romanticization of umpires nor a vilification of them; it is, instead, a complex and multifaceted look at their vexing personalities. The umpires shine and shrivel on their own terms and through their own words and actions, leaving behind characters that are simultaneously human and machine, simultaneously lovable and vile, simultaneously relatable and opaque.
Perhaps no narrative within the book captures this as well as Gutkind's exploration of the treatment of Art Williams, the second Black umpire in the MLB. He's hounded relentlessly by the other four members of his crew, who resent him for being fast-tracked forward as a token, while so many other umps (in their view) deserve the place over him. Their actions towards Williams (relentless critique, advising, etc) seem to represent both earnest attempts to help him improve his technique, born of a real desire to see him continue on in the league as a colleague... and absolute blindness towards the differential standards they apply to him versus others, calling attention to every judgement he makes in a way that puts him in a guaranteed, no-win situation. Gutkind is surprisingly fair in his treatment of the umpires - especially given the way they treat him on the basis of his religion, as he confides in the final chapter - yet also allows their actions and words to cut through in a way that reveals their true colours. They're seemingly simultaneously earnestly invested in and caring for Williams, while all the while treating him massively differently (in subtle ways that are hard to stamp out) because of his race.
Perhaps the one place where Gutkind's portrayal of the umpires is flat is the place where it's most accurate. The umpires see themselves as a god-like force, laying down impartial and absolutely fair law. They acknowledge, of course, times they miss the calls, but - in their telling - this humility and the perceived rareness of these transgressions gets warped into a defence of their objectiveness and impartiality as the embodiment of all things good about America and about the game. They convince themselves, increasingly throughout the season, of just how good they are, dialling up punishment to those who talk back in a quest to ensure the preservation of their status. And, of course, few threats are as significant as something like a video umpire, which could never capture the accuracy and nuance that they do.
All told, Gutkind's book is a really intriguing deep-dive into the world of umpires. It does, of course, depend on having more than a casual interest in baseball, as well as being able to reflect on the vignettes and stories that Gutkind reveals (he's not, to his credit, keen to moralize or draw simple lessons, meaning that the reader needs to sit with the material here to really allow it to bloom). Yet, it's a wonderful little time capsule of umpires in the 1970s... and, frankly, seems surprisingly timeless. How curious I'd be for the version 40 or 50 years later.
July 3, 2018
An interesting snapshot of baseball (and the country) at a time of social and racial change. As such, best read for historical context, because otherwise the modern reader will likely find the language and attitudes despicable.
I am also left wanting more from the stories than provided, and I mean that I want both more from this book (a critique) and also more from this perspective (a compliment); the umpires view is easily the least represented in all of baseball.
I am also left wanting more from the stories than provided, and I mean that I want both more from this book (a critique) and also more from this perspective (a compliment); the umpires view is easily the least represented in all of baseball.
March 26, 2014
Rating:
3 of 5 stars (okay)
Review:
This book of the chronicles of a National League umpiring crew during the 1974 season was originally published in 1975 and has been re-released in ebook formats now. Lee Gutkind traveled with the crew that was headed by Doug Harvey, who later was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, and gives the reader an inside look at the men who are not remembered during a game unless they make a mistake – the umpires.
It was billed as a tell-all book that would make fans realize exactly what umpires must go through and how they endure life always on the road, since they do not have home games like the players, how they interact with fans and other people in each city and some of the shenanigans they do as well to bide their time. Some have called this the “Ball Four” of umpires. There is some NC-17 language in the book, but that is about all that this book has in common with the Jim Bouton classic.
Some of the stories are downright entertaining, such as the cab driver in Chicago who will only give rides to and from the ball park to umpires. His take on what these men are like is funny, touching and even a bit poignant. If for no other reason, this story alone would be a good reason to pick up this book.
However, the same can’t be said of some of the other passages in the book. Gutkind touches on some sensitive issues, such as infidelity (although none of the four umpires in the book are guilty of that in any of the stories) and race issues. However, some of these and other stories tend to get a bit wordy and start to repeat themselves. The book could have had some shorter passages or not repeat some topics and still have been able to make the same points.
Overall, this book is okay for baseball fans, and one that those who are interested in learning more about the umpires would really enjoy. But as an interesting read, it struggled to keep my interest and was only mildly impressed. An okay read.
I wish to thank NetGalley for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Did I skim?
No.
Pace of the book:
It felt to be dragging at times, especially when the talk was about Williams and the reason he was in the major leagues was only for integration. After a while I got tired of hearing that and to have it described for several pages made for tough reading.
Do I recommend?
If you are a hard core fan of 1970s baseball or are interested in the life of an umpire, then pick this one up. If not, then I recommend passing.
Book Format Read:
E-Book (Kindle)
3 of 5 stars (okay)
Review:
This book of the chronicles of a National League umpiring crew during the 1974 season was originally published in 1975 and has been re-released in ebook formats now. Lee Gutkind traveled with the crew that was headed by Doug Harvey, who later was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, and gives the reader an inside look at the men who are not remembered during a game unless they make a mistake – the umpires.
It was billed as a tell-all book that would make fans realize exactly what umpires must go through and how they endure life always on the road, since they do not have home games like the players, how they interact with fans and other people in each city and some of the shenanigans they do as well to bide their time. Some have called this the “Ball Four” of umpires. There is some NC-17 language in the book, but that is about all that this book has in common with the Jim Bouton classic.
Some of the stories are downright entertaining, such as the cab driver in Chicago who will only give rides to and from the ball park to umpires. His take on what these men are like is funny, touching and even a bit poignant. If for no other reason, this story alone would be a good reason to pick up this book.
However, the same can’t be said of some of the other passages in the book. Gutkind touches on some sensitive issues, such as infidelity (although none of the four umpires in the book are guilty of that in any of the stories) and race issues. However, some of these and other stories tend to get a bit wordy and start to repeat themselves. The book could have had some shorter passages or not repeat some topics and still have been able to make the same points.
Overall, this book is okay for baseball fans, and one that those who are interested in learning more about the umpires would really enjoy. But as an interesting read, it struggled to keep my interest and was only mildly impressed. An okay read.
I wish to thank NetGalley for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Did I skim?
No.
Pace of the book:
It felt to be dragging at times, especially when the talk was about Williams and the reason he was in the major leagues was only for integration. After a while I got tired of hearing that and to have it described for several pages made for tough reading.
Do I recommend?
If you are a hard core fan of 1970s baseball or are interested in the life of an umpire, then pick this one up. If not, then I recommend passing.
Book Format Read:
E-Book (Kindle)
May 7, 2013
I choose to review this as journalism, although the author is famous for Creative Nonfiction.
This book was written at a time (1974) of historical changes in baseball, among both players and umpires. Only a few years earlier, Umpires had to strike to achieve benefits and fair wages. A decision from that year (Curt Flood) paved the way for free agency in 1975. One member of the crew that the author followed was the only African American umpire in all of baseball, and the first in the National League. So this book rates very highly for it's source material alone.
The style, unfortunately, is not history but a very laid back journalism. The author says as much in his 1999 preface to this edition. Even going into the book with that expectation, I was left wanting more facts, more history, less word-for-word reporting.
I sought this book out (thank you Albequerque and inter-library loan!) because it was listed in a collection of baseball books worth reading, in the umpires section. It does cover the umpires point of view, but other books have done better in this respect. What this book does have to offer is a history of baseball and umpiring in the early seventies.
This book was written at a time (1974) of historical changes in baseball, among both players and umpires. Only a few years earlier, Umpires had to strike to achieve benefits and fair wages. A decision from that year (Curt Flood) paved the way for free agency in 1975. One member of the crew that the author followed was the only African American umpire in all of baseball, and the first in the National League. So this book rates very highly for it's source material alone.
The style, unfortunately, is not history but a very laid back journalism. The author says as much in his 1999 preface to this edition. Even going into the book with that expectation, I was left wanting more facts, more history, less word-for-word reporting.
I sought this book out (thank you Albequerque and inter-library loan!) because it was listed in a collection of baseball books worth reading, in the umpires section. It does cover the umpires point of view, but other books have done better in this respect. What this book does have to offer is a history of baseball and umpiring in the early seventies.
April 30, 2014
The Best Seat in Baseball by Lee Gutkind is a behind the scenes look at baseball umpires and their daily lives. The book takes place during the 1974 season and follows a group of 4 umpires. The reader gets a close examination of their struggles on and off the field. The book has its controversies which makes it a great read.
The book is very reminiscent of Ball Four, another controversial baseball book. The reader is introduced to the good, bad, and the ugly of umpiring in the major leagues. Between dealing with difficult players, managers, and fan to traveling non-stop for the entire season, it’s a wonder as to why we have umpires at all. Men who are usually unsympathetic when they make bad calls against your team become incredibly sympathetic characters as you read about their lives.
The Best Seat in Baseball is a great read for sports fans. Umpires usually live in the shadow of the game, and this book brings them to light. Maybe next time an ump makes a call against your favorite team, you’ll think twice before heckling.
A free electronic copy of the book was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The book is very reminiscent of Ball Four, another controversial baseball book. The reader is introduced to the good, bad, and the ugly of umpiring in the major leagues. Between dealing with difficult players, managers, and fan to traveling non-stop for the entire season, it’s a wonder as to why we have umpires at all. Men who are usually unsympathetic when they make bad calls against your team become incredibly sympathetic characters as you read about their lives.
The Best Seat in Baseball is a great read for sports fans. Umpires usually live in the shadow of the game, and this book brings them to light. Maybe next time an ump makes a call against your favorite team, you’ll think twice before heckling.
A free electronic copy of the book was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 27, 2010
You can really see how hard it was to write this sort of book before the tech boom. Keeping mental notes and banging things out on a typewriter where it's hard to reflect on some of the lamer constructions and change them than it is nowadays. Gutkind's voice simply doesn't work for me. I'd have preferred a more straight-forward, journalistic approach, rather than what was written here. There's some good information here regarding insight behind the mind-set of umpires, but they are also sometimes cast in a bad light here. All in all, anyone interested in umpiring will find some things useful here, but the writing keeps it from transcending beyond that.
June 3, 2015
Thanks to Open Road Integrated Media and NetGalley for a free download of The Best Seat in Baseball but You Have to Stand! by Lee Gutkind. Lee Gutkind exposes the world of the major league umpires in this interesting and readable book. The Greatest Seat in Baseball but You Have to Stand! takes place in 1974. Mr. Gutkind tells of the responsibilities, hardships, and heartaches of major league umpires in the 1970s. He records racism, low pay, and loneliness along with the intricacies of the job: rubbing up the baseballs with mud, measuring the pitcher's mound, and more. Great reading for any fan of the game.
December 23, 2010
You will never look at umpires, or even watch a Major League Baseball game, the same way again.
I've read a lot of baseball books and this is one of my favorites. It's written by one of the gurus of creative nonfiction.
I've read a lot of baseball books and this is one of my favorites. It's written by one of the gurus of creative nonfiction.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews