What Happens: With runners on first and third and no one out, the batter swings and ticks the catcher's glove but connects and flies to right. The runner on third tags up and scores. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

In a no-holds-barred insider examination of the private world of baseball umpires, both minor and major leagues, Weber, a New York Times reporter, dives into the rough basic training school for the men who call balls and strikes in this irresistible book. As a 52-year-old student umpire, the author dons the mask and learns the fundamentals, while spending almost three years visiting baseball venues across the country, as well as interviewing former umpires, players and coaches. Many candidates dream of making it to the majors, as about 100,000 amateur baseball umpires call games in the U.S., Weber writes, but only 68 pro umpires make it to the big show. Baseball fans will love the insightful, richly textured account of Weber trying to master the plate stance, monitoring each pitch and maintaining a proper strike zone in a physically demanding occupation. However, his book lifts heads-and-shoulders above other baseball tomes by putting a funny, surprising treasury of anecdotes from the sport at its entertaining core. (Mar.) Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

New York Times reporter Weber attended the Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring and takes readers into "umpire nation," a land like no other realm of baseball. However, through no fault of Weber's, it's not really such a fun place to visit. Weber relates his encounters with umpires across leagues, amateur and pro. Umpires in detail turn out to be no more appealing than we guessed, but there's little on this topic, so sports collections should have it. Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

*Starred Review* t's a wonder that, given their central role in the game of baseball, from Little Leagues to major leagues, umpires have remained a mystery to fans for so long. New York Times reporter Weber corrects that in this sympathetic, thoughtful, highly engaging account. Weber spent months, including a five-week course at one of two major league-approved umpire schools, talking with dozens of umps as well as the players, managers, owners, and league officials who live with their calls. Out of this exhaustive research, and after strapping on the gear himself, Weber reveals how exceedingly demanding the profession can be. At the same time, he shows how disrespected, if not reviled, umps are by nearly everyone in baseball, though they serve as the last some might argue, the only line of defense for the integrity of the game. Weber shares the particulars of umping a game, the torturous path to becoming a major league ump, and some hot-button issues such as the umps' 1999 strike, instant replay, and the pace of games. And for the starstruck baseball fans among us, there are lots of stories about umps, players, and managers we know. An outstanding book that demands a place on any sports shelf.--Moores, Alan Copyright 2009 Booklist From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Introduction: The Land of Umpires	p. 1
Chapter 1 Men Behind a Mask	p. 23
Chapter 2 "I'm Chasing the Dream"	p. 49
Chapter 3 "Fix It!"	p. 93
Chapter 4 Welcome to Professional Baseball	p. 113
Chapter 5 Phil, Ben, and Ria	p. 143
Chapter 6 Ballish Strikes and Strikelike Balls	p. 167
Chapter 7 The 22	p. 201
Chapter 8 Living the Dream, Such As It Is	p. 231
Chapter 9 Strapping It On	p. 257
Chapter 10 The Braille Watch	p. 285
Acknowledgments	p. 339

Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.