"Low and Inside" covers baseball's follies and freaks from the sports origins in the mists of the 19th century until about 1915. "A fascinating and hilarious collection. It is something that should be sandwiched between Marcel Proust and "forever Amber" on every bookshelf!"

An anecdotal history of America's professional baseball teams.

Twenty-seven essays, profiles, and stories about America's pastime.

One day during an afternoon at the ball park, author Eric Gray asked his wife, daughter, and friend to identify their favorite game that they had been to. Little did he know, that simple question would soon take on a life of its own. As the question made its way to family members, friends, friends of friends, strangers and beyond, it gave way to a surprising collection of incredibly diverse stories and perspectives. Thus, Bases to Bleachers was born. Much more than your average baseball book, the many special and unique stories shared with readers here, whether they're about watching or playing, either at the Major League level or Little League, represent a wide gamut of experiences. Some entail meeting the stars or attending famous games--and some offered are personal, intimate moments involving family connections and the importance of baseball in people's lives. Unlike most baseball books, this is not a biography, or a discussion of a team, or analysis of a season. Baseball here is a setting in which both astounding feats and some of the most beautifully touching moments in peoples' lives have happened. Whether it's the first game, falling in love at the park, or even a beloved baseball glove that survived World War II, these stories are about more than just baseball. They reflect the joys, triumphs, and disappointments of the human condition, and often illustrate what's truly important in life--those things we hold most dear in our hearts.

A graphic novel-style history of baseball, providing an illustrated look at the major games, players, and rule changes that shaped the sport. This graphic novel steps up to the plate and covers all the bases in illustrating the origin of America's national pastime, presenting a complete look at the beginnings (both real and legendary), developments, triumphs, and tragedies of baseball. It also breaks down the cultural impact and significance of the sport both in America and overseas (including Japan, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic), from the early days of America to the flying W outside Wrigley Field in 2016. Featuring members of Baseball's Hall of Fame and modern day stand-outs—including Cy Young, Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron, the 1930s New York Yankees, the 2004 Boston Red Sox, the 2016 Chicago Cubs, and more—The Comic Book Story of Baseball spotlights the players, teams, games, and moments that built the sport's legacy and ensured its popularity.

These two volumes are national treasures. Originally published in 1949 and 1951 respectively, they are pure baseball delight, and they preserve something extraordinary of the American century. They are full of odd ballfield incidents, eccentric characters, and unforgettable lore, all told in the irresistible blithe style of H. Allen Smith, the great funny man. Ira Smith (no relation) spent his life burrowing through archives at the Library of Congress to find tiny items in small-town papers, sublime little baseball stories that would have been lost to the sands of time. And H. Allen Smith took the piles of clippings and notes and wrote these humorous vignettes.