Thursday, May 5, 2005

Baseball Canada to Sell Book on Canadian Baseball

OTTAWA – Baseball Canada has announced it will be selling copies of the newly released book The Northern Game: Baseball the Canadian Way on its website, making available the historical Canadian baseball biography which was released May 1.

Fans interested in purchasing the book on Baseball Canada’s website can obtain a copy for $26.95 (CDN, plus taxes and shipping costs) by visiting Baseball Canada's Merchandise section.

The book is published by Sportclassic Books (www.sportclassicbooks.com/northerngame.html) of Toronto and this is the company’s first Canadian book after the likes of The Black Prince of Baseball, The Thinking Fan’s Guide to Baseball, Branch Rickey’s Little Blue Book, Teddy Ballgame, Now Pitching for the Yankees and Total Baseball.

The book, written by Toronto Sun baseball writer Bob Elliott, chronicles the history of baseball in Canada, detailing the success of Canadians in the major leagues – evidenced by the 17 Canadians included on Opening Day Major League Baseball rosters this season – and the numerous tales and adventures of Canadians who’ve played at all levels of the minor leagues, independent leagues and both the Canadian and American collegiate ranks.

The rich Canadian baseball history, which culminated in Canada’s first Olympic participation with baseball as a medal sport last summer in Athens, is thoroughly documented by Elliott in The Northern Game, Elliott’s second major baseball publication.

Having previously written the bestseller Hard Ball with former Toronto Blue Jays player George Bell, Elliott offers in his latest publication an impressive compilation of anecdotes and souvenirs describing hundreds of Canadians who’ve patrolled baseball diamonds throughout North America and abroad.

Through interviews with individuals like Éric Gagné, Ferguson Jenkins, Corey Koskie and Larry Walker, Elliott introduces readers to the world of baseball in the major leagues. He also welcomes the public into the less-heralded environment of minor-league baseball through stories about such players as Stubby Clapp and Danny Klassen.

Elliott, who has covered Major League Baseball for 25 years and who nurtures his passion for baseball through his coaching at the grassroots level, emphasizes the many strides baseball has taken at the national level, highlighting in his book the national junior and senior teams and their worldwide accomplishments. In addition, he reminds his readers of the essence of baseball, the purity of the game and the profound importance it carries among families, as underscored in writings about the Reimer and Zimmerman bloodlines.

Also contained in the book are the career stats for all 218 major leaguers either born or raised in Canada, plus the province-by-province all-star teams and an all-time roster of those who have worn Team Canada jerseys in international competitions.

With a foreword written by CBC Hockey Night in Canada personality Don Cherry, a former baseball player before pursuing a career in hockey, The Northern Game provides a heartfelt and complete appreciation for baseball and the unique place it holds in Canada’s identity.