101 Lessons From The Dugout

What Baseball and Softball Can Teach Us About the Game of Life

By Dr. Harley Rotbart

Every player or fan of baseball and softball thinks they know the game—and they do, at least the rules and the strategy. But take a deeper look, and you'll see there is so much more to be learned beyond the strikeouts, walks, base stealing, and double plays.

In 101 Lessons from the Dugout, famed baseball writer Ken Davidoff and renowned parenting expert Dr. Harley Rotbart decode these messages in brief snippets for young ballplayers and fans. Each lesson contains an individual feature of the game followed by a pearl of wisdom or two to inspire readers.

These lessons show that picking the right pitch to swing at is the ultimate exercise of good judgment; that a runner leading off first base demonstrates the balancing of risk and reward; and that the self-discipline of tagging up is true impulse control.

Every pitch, hit, and play on the baseball and softball diamond is its own life lesson. From homework and humility, to punctuality and perseverance, to responsibility and resilience, 101 Lessons from the Dugout offers a game plan for happiness and success in the major leagues of school, friendship, and life.

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"This book has everything for young ballplayers and fans alike—life lessons, love of sports, and a genuine passion for the games of baseball and softball."

"I think it's brilliant. The lessons to be learned from baseball and softball are endless, and this book displays them beautifully."

"This is a wonderful, insightful look at our beloved sports and how we can apply them to the opportunities we have in our daily lives."

"The authors masterfully break down the complicated game of baseball into simplified life lessons that transcend balls and strikes, hits and errors, and wins and losses."

"This book has home run written all over it. Rotbart and Davidoff are masterful writers and the baseball metaphors are brilliant. They have turned baseball and softball into a philosophy of life and a guidepost for the healthy development of young adults. Every parent will want to give their baseball and softball players a copy of 101 Lessons from the Dugout."

"As Rotbart and Davidoff so brilliantly point out, it's about how sports can shape the person our children will become. The life connections made by the authors make this book a must-read for players, coaches, and parents."