Roadside Baseball: The Locations of America's Baseball Landmarks Paperback – April 1, 2009

For many, baseball is almost akin to a religion in America. Many undertake the pilgrimage to all the Major League ballparks, but Epting has created the ultimate cultural tour of history that goes far beyond these parks. Sure, anyone can go to see where Babe Ruth hit his final home run, but would we know where to go to see where he hit his first (or as Epting makes the distinction, where he hit his first professional home run, and where he hit his first professional home run in a regular season game)? No event escapes Epting for potential inclusion in this journey into our heritage. Each site is identified with an address, often a photo and an explanation of why it is important to note. But also, Epting's book can serve as a warning to us. So many of the important sites from the early years of baseball have been lost; they have become the victims of "progress." He takes the time to try and show us where historic fields are, but too often they are fully tossed aside, with an apartment building, or a parking lot now occupying the spaces where the pioneers played and set our early records. For each ballpark that has been lovingly restored or kept in good condition, there are two that have become lost to the wrecking ball. This is one of the ways that Epting's book should open up our eyes to prevent further loss of our sports history in the name of progress. Someone like Epting helps make sure that we never forget, even if others have. Put this in your glove box, and find a bit of our national pastime history across the country.

You think that you know all there is about baseball? Well, Chris Epting is an encyclopedia on the subject! From the very beginning of baseball following players, ballparks and resting places the knowledge is a labor of love for the author. I can't imagine the life long research that had to be involved, relationships made over this incredible book.There are very few people that have this kind of information and have published factual accounts. Chris Epting, in my opinion is the source of sources. You won't want to put the book down, because there are journeys that provide you with town by town accounts on how baseball originated and survives today.Chris has hit this book out of the park!

I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to the updated version expected in 2019. It is very organized and easy to use as an aide when planning a baseball road trip. I recommend the book but suggest waiting on new edition. Many new baseball sites have opened in the past 5-7 years.

I bought this book several mos. ago and it has lived up to its reputation as one of the best baseball books around. Great book to take "on the road" and fills a real niche for the baseball historian/enthusiast. I've actually taken this one on the road and it does the job and does it quite well. Kudos to the author on this one.

Ehh...perplexed as to this book's phenomenal reviews. Most "locations" are nothing more than standing ballparks or operating restaurants. As a Western Pennsylvania native and, oddly enough a fan of the Cardinals, the author missed numerous opportunities to highlight the significance of such areas as "Hack Wilson Drive" in Ellwood City, PA or Yogi Berra's birthplace on the Hill in St. Louis, MO. Instead, Mr. Epting chooses easy outs such as quick-to-locate landmarks, to include PNC Park, and the now defunct Pujols 5 Bar and Grille (really, hawking an athlete's restaurant?)

great small finds for the baseball lover

This book tells about most of Baseball's Landmarks throughout America. Great stories and pictures of the landmaks too. When I retire, my goal is to take this book on the road and see most of these places with my own two eyes. This book will come in very handy for that mission.

It's all here... from Cool Papa Bell to Eddie Gaedel to The Field of Dreams. A great gift for the baseball fan in your life!