Baseball Around the World: How the World Plays the Game

Baseball might be America’s favorite pastime, but baseball isn’t just an American sport!

"Awide audience of young readers will find plenty to cheer for in this winningoverview, with its grand slam collection of timely facts and positive message.”—SchoolLibrary Journal, starred review

A 2023 Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People (NCSS-CBC)

From Cuba to Japan, Australia to Italy, a diverse melting pot of countries and cultures have embraced the ole ballgame. In Baseball Around the World, you’ll take a multicultural world tour to meet the nations and players who have pushed baseball to international popularity—with a twist, of course.

Find out what they eat at Japanese baseball stadiums, how a gold rush brought baseball to Australia, why South Korean games are allowed to end in a tie, and much more in this home run of a book!

From the introduction:

People often think of baseball as an American sport. Terms such as “America’s pastime” and the “boys of summer” bring up images of warm summer nights in small towns. Yes, the game we think of—that we know and love—is rooted in the sandlots and Little League fields across the U.S. But baseball is so much bigger. In many ways, baseball really is a world sport….As you read this book and learn about baseball around the world, you’ll see just how much the game unifies us. Regardless of our differences, our love for the game of baseball is all the same!

• A sports lesson in diversity and culture!
• Written by Chris Singleton, former professional baseball player and inspirational speaker on race, love, and acceptance
• Explores the history, culture, and popularity of baseball in dozens of countries
• Includes brief bios about some of the world's leading players
• Packed with photos, maps, facts, and more!