Tina Lee is fresh out of jail and trying her level best to make it on her own. Returning home late from work, Tina discovers an abandoned puppy, skin and bones and blind. Timmy Li is the Rattlers’ star young pitcher and he’s wary of women making moves on his billionaire father who’s newly single. When he discovers Tina palling around with his dad, he’s determined to derail her—by dating her. When Timmy rescues Tina from a gang of abusive men, he has a hard time hating her—especially since she has a soft spot for Donut, the blind double dappled dachshund puppy. Besides, she’s pretty cute herself. When the puppy cuddles up to Timmy, he takes him along on their date as the perfect chaperone—blind and partially deaf. Can Tina trust the wealthy and privileged pitcher with her bruised and fragile heart? Especially since he believes she’s from the wrong side of the tracks. The Men of Spring Baseball Romances can be read standalone but are more fun when read together. Book 1, Playing Without Rules (Marcia & Brock) Book 2, Playing Catch (Jeanine & Kirk) Book 3, Playing for the Save (Jamie & Ryan) Book 4, Playing Fastball (Tina & Timmy) Novella, Playing the Rookie (Jessica & Jay)

This book presents a scientific but easy to understand explanation of pitching power. Illustrated with anecdotes about baseball's greatest power pitchers, it describes how they were able to achieve phenomenal fastball velocity and record-breaking strikeout numbers. How was a 17-year-old rookie named Bob Feller able to strike out Major League batters in record numbers? How do the tendons, ligaments, and muscles of the arm and shoulder work to amplify power for greater pitch velocity? How was minor league pitcher Steve Dalkowski able to throw the most phenomenal fastball ever seen (or heard)? Why do young pitchers with exceptional velocity often issue walks at exceptional rates? Why do good pitchers occasionally pitch badly? Why is exceptional hand speed important? What is it about overhand throwing that causes elbow and shoulder injuries? How can a pitcher achieve greater endurance and durability? What is the most reliable way to increase fastball velocity? This book addresses these and other questions for pitchers, coaches, managers, trainers, and fans.

The United States has more than 2 million fastpitch softball participants—500,000 of whom are under the age of 12. Softball Fundamentals provides an easy way for beginners of all ages to learn the basic skills of the game. Writer Rick Noren puts these skills together from the perspective of an award-winning coach who has posted a 320-79 (.802) record in his 10 years at Pacific Lutheran University. The 10th entry in the Sports Fundamentals series, this book covers all the bases of fastpitch softball, including throwing, catching, fielding, hitting, baserunning, sliding, and pitching, in an engaging format that makes learning easy and practicing fun. Each chapter presents a specific skill, leading the player through a simple, four-step sequence: You Can Do It: A basic skill or tactic is introduced with sequential instructions and accompanying photographs or diagrams. More to Choose and Use: Variations and extensions of the primary skill are covered. Take It to the Field: Readers learn how to apply the skill in competition. Give It a Go: Drills and practice games gauge, develop, and hone the skill. With its concise instruction, supplementary photos, and 48 skill-sharpening drills, Softball Fundamentals facilitates quicker comprehension by letting players spend less time reading and more time on the playing field.

“A League of Their Own for the softball set” (Lily Koppel, bestselling author of The Astronaut Wives Club), Fastpitch is hidden history at its most intriguing—the tale of the forgotten beginnings of one of the most popular and widely played sports today. Softball is played by tens of millions in various age groups all around the world, but the origins of this beloved sport (and the charismatic athletes who helped it achieve prominence in the mid-twentieth century) have been shrouded in mystery…until now. Fastpitch brings to vivid life the eclectic mix of characters that make up softball’s vibrant 129-year history. From its humble beginnings in 1887, when it was invented in a Chicago boat club and played with a broomstick, to the rise in the 1940s and 1950s of professional-caliber, company-sponsored teams that toured the country in style, softball’s history is as varied as it is fascinating. Though it’s thought of today as a female sport, fastpitch softball’s early history is full of male stars, such as the vaudeville-esque Eddie Feigner, whose signature move was striking out batters while blindfolded. But because softball was one of the only team sports that also allowed women to play competitively, it took on added importance for female athletes. Women like Bertha Ragan Tickey, who set strikeout records and taught Lana Turner to pitch, and her teammate Joan Joyce, who struck out baseball star Ted Williams, made a name—and a life—for themselves in an era when female athletes had almost no prospects. Softball allowed them to flourish, and they in turn inspired a whole new generation of athletes. Featuring eight pages of captivating, vintage photos and compelling, well-researched historical commentary, this “fun and entertaining read” (Billie Jean King) chronicles softball’s unique history as well as its uncertain future (as evidenced by its controversial elimination from the 2012 Olympics, and the mounting efforts to have it reinstated). A celebration of this distinctively American game and the role it plays in our culture today, Westly has written “a must-read for anyone who loves the sport” (Jonathan Fader, author of Life as Sport).

Inside tips to improve all areas of your game.

From his status as the #17 pick overall in the 1970 June draft in the shadow of his induction notice to his post-game minor league antics with Goose Gossage, Gorman Thomas and Charlie "Country Chuck" Manuel, former Rookie Pitcher of the Year John D'Acquisto explores the free love and "free agency" of 1972 California; the tragedy at Spring Training '74; John's role as a pawn in the struggle for clubhouse power between manager Charlie Fox and Bobby Bonds; deep inside the untold story of the Bob Gibson/D'Acquisto pitching duels; the endless nightlife and shady characters of 1976 San Francisco; the despair of ex-major leaguers deserted in the 1977 AAA baseball purgatory of sunny Honolulu; the backroom dealings between players and management ahead of the 1981 players' strike, and the fateful meeting between John and his former owner that may have derailed his career. "Heinie." Randy. Buzzie. "Sweet Matt." "Davvy." Marvin. "Mac." Juan. Jimmie Reese. Gibby & Torre. "Moff." Keith. "Onti." "Ras." Pete. "Simba" & Geno, among many others along for the ride. Featuring a foreword by popular 70's baseball historian Dan Epstein and flavored by music of the era. If you love the narrative structure of cable dramas like Mad Men and House of Cards, then you will adore this rich, period love story between a man and his profession.

Dear Baseball Gods, Why didn't you look out for him? Didn't he deserve better? He hustled, competed, and played the game the right way. What happened wasn't fair. A Second Comeback Dan sat by a tree, staring at the ground trying to decide what he would do next. The doctor had just explained that everything he worked for was now ruined. A second Tommy John surgery? Does anyone come back from that? Is my career over? Is this it? A Winding Road to the Top As a walk-on in college, Dan had to earn everything. He pitched on three hours sleep, lived in the clubhouse, played for a team that collapsed mid-season, and endured more arm pain than any kid should. A Way to Move On When finally forced to hang up his cleats, Dan looked in the mirror and didn't recognize the man peering back. If no longer a ballplayer...what would he do? What had been the point of it all? Who was he? The Deeper Side of Life as an Athlete In this philosophical memoir, written as a series of letters, you'll learn that the pinstripes don't wash off so easily.