Review of Kansas Baseball

[Trinity Rajch]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Kansas Baseball" by Michael J Travis.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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Kansas Baseball by Michael J. Travis is not my usual choice of reading. Although I am a huge fan of history, I have little to no interest in baseball. I can honestly say, though, that I enjoyed this book!! The main focus of the book is on League 42, a non-profit organization in Wichita, Kansas, that is centered around Jackie Robinson and the nine values that he represents. Through this organization, many kids who would never have had the chance to enjoy the game of baseball are able to pursue their dreams and become part of a community that shares their love of the sport. Using these nine values, Travis explores the history of Kansas baseball and the ways in which several historical figures represent each value.

As someone who does not enjoy baseball, I was still drawn in by the history that is contained within the pages of this book. What I appreciated even more was that Travis provides an inclusive history of Kansas baseball. He includes disabled players, the experiences of young and old players, and most surprisingly, the role of women. What I found most interesting about Travis’ history of the sport is that he examined the various facets of the sport, not just the players, but also the administrative side of the sport and the importance that fans of baseball played in shaping the game.

I also have to compliment the writing style and care that was taken in editing this book. I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s conversational writing style. It made the book much easier to follow, and made it obvious that Travis truly loves the game of baseball and talking about it. While he does include some of the technical aspects of baseball, most of the book is easily digestible for someone who has no knowledge of the sport, so it is an interesting read for baseball lovers as well as those who know nothing about the game. I was also impressed with the editing. The book is well organized, concise, and contains very few errors. If there was one thing I would critique, it is that I would prefer more commas throughout the book to make the sentences easier to follow.

Overall, I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars. The book is well written, well researched, and contains the love that Travis clearly has for the game. You do not have to be a fan of baseball to enjoy the history and stories that are found within the pages of this book.

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Kansas Baseball
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