Baseball isn’t easy. Every pitch is a test of wills between a pitcher and a batter, but pitching is more than just trying to throw a ball very hard. The strategy and skill involved in pitching is one of the most interesting things about baseball. This book takes readers onto the pitching mound to stare down the plate, choose a pitch, and try to strike a batter out. It also takes readers through the proper way to throw a baseball and execute the defensive strategy pitchers need to field the ball and make outs if a batter makes contact with a pitch.

The average attention span has dropped to 8 seconds. To break through to people, you need to focus on your audience, be slightly different, and deliver with finesse. Every day at work, people do three things: talk, listen, and pretend to listen. Through fast, fun, actionable tips, You've Got 8 Seconds explains what works and what doesn't, what's forgettable and what sticks. With stories, scripts, and examples of good and bad messages, communications expert Paul Hellman reveals three main strategies: Focus: Design a strong message - then say it in seconds Variety: Make routine information come alive Presence: Convey confidence and command attention You'll discover practical techniques, including the fast-focus method that Hellman uses with leadership teams; how to stand out in the first seconds of a presentation; and 10 actions that spell executive presence. Whether pitching a project, giving a speech, selling a product, or just writing an email, You've Got 8 Seconds will make sure you get heard, get remembered, and get results.

First published in 1995. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Plants only make their own food—right? Not pitcher plants! Most pitcher plants draw in insects with their sweet-smelling nectar and slowly digest them. There is one kind of pitcher plant that likes to snack on tree shrews, too. The bizarre eating habits of the pitcher plant are sure to fascinate and delight readers as they learn how this plant’s digestive system works, its habitat, and more. Full-color photographs and a simple diagram allow readers to see clearly the unique structures of this weird plant.