The amazing science behind America's favorite pastime.

Play ball! How Baseball Works is a behind-the-scenes examination of the physics of baseball: home runs, curve balls and stolen bases.

Baseball relies on scientific principles more than any other sport. Here's how the pros use physics to throw pitches that seem to defy gravity. Kinetic energy plays a role in knocking the ball out of the park. The number crunching for statistics shows the importance of mathematics to the game.

Topics include:

• Stories of great players, old and new
• How pitchers can stay ahead of the game
• How the pros hit with accuracy and power
• Baserunning: sliding, stealing and scoring
• How to warm up, prevent injuries and strengthen muscles
• Famous fields and the Astroturf vs. grass debate

Fun-to-read and colorfully illustrated, How Baseball Works makes the National Pastime more enjoyable than ever.