--- title: "The On Deck Circle of Life by Dr. Harley Rotbart | Official Book Page" description: "A game plan for happiness and success in the major leagues of school, friendships, and family life. Get your copy of The On Deck Circle of Life by Dr. Harley Rotbart today." lang: en json-ld: | { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Book", "name": "The On Deck Circle of Life", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dr. Harley Rotbart" }, "publisher": "iUniverse Press", "description": "A game plan for happiness and success in the major leagues of school, friendships, and family life.", "image": "/assets/cover-on-deck-circle-XFo3fkUt.webp", "aggregateRating": { "@type": "AggregateRating", "ratingValue": "5", "reviewCount": 3 } } --- [Harley Rotbart, M.D. Author • Pediatrician • Grandfather ](/) [Books](/books) [Blog](/blog)[About](/about) [Contact](/#contact) [Back to All Books](/#books) ![The On Deck Circle of Life](/assets/cover-on-deck-circle-XFo3fkUt.webp) iUniverse Press, 2007 # The On Deck Circle of Life By Dr. Harley Rotbart Everything a child needs to know about life can be learned from the dugout steps. Every pitch, hit, and play on the baseball field is its own life lesson. From taking charge under a pop fly, to taking risks on the base paths, to taking heart on the bench, The On Deck Circle of Life connects parents and their kids through the analogies, axioms, and allegories that baseball offers for life off the field. Written for kids of all ages to read, and for parents to read over their kids' shoulders, this is a warm and wise playbook for the game of life. The original inspiration that led to the new 101 Lessons From The Dugout. ### Get Your Copy [Buy on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Deck-Circle-Life-Lessons-Dugout/dp/0595423906) ## Reviews and Praise > "I have shared your book with our foundation staff and encouraged them to incorporate the lessons into our character education program." Cal Ripken, Jr. National Baseball Hall of Fame > "With style, wit and wisdom, this beautiful little book captures the essence of life lessons we all would like our children to understand and embrace." Gail Reichlin Founder, Parents Resource Network > "This book has home run written all over it. Dr. Rotbart is a masterful writer and his baseball metaphors are brilliant." Barton D. Schmitt, MD Bestselling Author of Your Child's Health More Books ## You Will Also Enjoy [ ![The Countdown](/assets/the-countdown-cover-wWvd3SLk.webp) ### The Countdown A lighthearted, insightful, and emotionally resonant look at the strange, funny, and surprisingly meaningful experience of growing older. ](/books/the-countdown) [ ![101 Lessons From The Dugout](/assets/book-101-lessons-BedXHD0N.webp) ### 101 Lessons From The Dugout Hidden behind the game's fundamentals are subtle real-world messages and meanings that help lead to success off the field just as much as on it. ](/books/101-lessons) [ ![No Regrets Parenting (Updated and Expanded)](/assets/cover-no-regrets-parenting-DldndpO0.webp) ### No Regrets Parenting (Updated and Expanded) The quintessential, open-to-all parenting guidebook, guaranteed to help you find more—and better—time for your kids and yourself. ](/books/no-regrets-parenting) [ ![No Regrets Living](/assets/cover-no-regrets-living-bzaWEXSa.webp) ### No Regrets Living A proactive, 7-step plan to help us better appreciate what we have in our lives, and take greater pride in what we've done with our lives. ](/books/no-regrets-living) [ ![Miracles We Have Seen](/assets/cover-miracles-we-have-seen-DBtAUJNv.webp) ### Miracles We Have Seen Spectacular serendipities, impossible cures, breathtaking resuscitations, and extraordinary awakenings—written by leading physicians who witnessed them. ](/books/miracles-we-have-seen) [ ![Germ Proof Your Kids](/assets/cover-germ-proof-your-kids-DRXHuHK4.webp) ### Germ Proof Your Kids The one-stop shop for all of parents' germ questions—from prevention to treatment of childhood infections. ](/books/germ-proof-your-kids) [ ![No Regrets Parenting (First Edition)](/assets/cover-no-regrets-parenting-first-BswiduwL.webp) ### No Regrets Parenting (First Edition) Time management magic for busy parents with kids from crib through college — a book about intimacy with your kids, not efficiency. ](/books/no-regrets-parenting-first-edition) [ ![940 Saturdays](/assets/cover-940-saturdays-CF1Gxv4p.webp) ### 940 Saturdays There are 940 Saturdays between a child's birth and the day he or she turns 18. This beautiful package helps you make the most of these fleeting moments. ](/books/940-saturdays) Harley Rotbart, M.D. Nationally-renowned pediatrician, parenting expert, and author. An archive of his books, essays, and writing. [](https://www.facebook.com/harleyrotbartmd/)[](https://www.linkedin.com/in/harley-rotbart-m-d-4817a66/)[](https://www.harleyrotbart.com/youtube-features/) #### Explore - [About](/about) - [Books](/books) - [Blog](/blog) - [Contact](/#contact) #### Books - [The Countdown](/books/the-countdown) - [101 Lessons From The Dugout](/books/101-lessons) - [No Regrets Parenting](/books/no-regrets-parenting) - [No Regrets Living](/books/no-regrets-living) - [Miracles We Have Seen](/books/miracles-we-have-seen) #### Connect - [Blog Archive](https://www.harleyrotbart.com/blog/) - [Reviews & Appearances](https://www.harleyrotbart.com/reviews/) © 2026 Harley Rotbart, M.D. All rights reserved. Parenting Expert • Pediatrician • Author • Educator Made With [](https://heardmarketing.io)by [HEARD](https://heardmarketing.io)