I spent most of my childhood in a tiny Northern Illinois town which had two things that attracted visitor’s eyes: The first was a giant Nuclear Power plant. The second, and far more interesting claim to fame, was that Byron happened to be the birthplace of Albert Spaulding, the 19th-century baseball pioneer and sporting goods titan.
 
As a kid I was obsessed with baseball. (Still am, really.) Watching Cubs games and collecting baseball cards was my pastime. Baseball was also a rare shared interest between my parents and me, their only child. But there was never a definitive guide for our road trips. No easy way to find the home Albert Spaulding was born in if we didn’t, quite literally, live two blocks from the plaque which marked the spot.
 
Had Roadside Baseball existed in the late ‘80s it would have been a dog-earned, marked up, mess of a book in short order. Because that’s what you do with useful things…you use them up. Fill the margins with notes, reminders, and jot down memories of the travels inspired by a good guide.
 
In “Roadside Baseball: The Locations of America’s Baseball Landmarks,” Chris Epting has taken care to bring his own notes, and the additions of countless other baseball lovers and travelers, into this updated third addition. There’s new trivia, locations, pitstops and detours, along with inclusion of the ongoing work to document The Negro Leagues Baseball Grave Marker Project.
 
Even if you have previous editions of Roadside Baseball, the third addition is a must have for fans. Organized by state, city, and landmark, the digital copy is easily searchable and convenient to keep on your phone if carrying around the physical book is a bit too ‘80s. I don’t know, though, nostalgia makes me suggest both.
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Thank you to NetGalley and St. Monica Press for the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

Note: Thank you to NetGalley, Santa Monica Press, and Chris Epting for the advanced reader copy of the book. 

I love all things baseball. I’ve made several treks to historic baseball sites such as the Field of Dreams in Iowa. One of our goals as we’re traveling around the country in our camper is to visit different major and minor league ballparks. This book is right up my alley.

Author Chis Epting has done extensive research into various historic locations as they pertain to baseball across the country. This is the third edition of the book. Epting had help from fans across the nation who suggested locations to him. The result is a very large book that is also very detailed. Epting also updated it to cover stadiums that were torn down since the previous edition was published.

Each state is treated separately, so if you’re visiting an area you can find landmarks in that location. Epting also suggests things to look for when you are a ballpark chaser like us, visiting major league stadiums across the county. Epting doesn’t just cover major league baseball, but also the minor leagues, the Negro League, little league, and various historical and local teams that popped up across the country from time to time.

The details are interesting. Many of the stadiums that once housed important games are gone. Epting talks about what’s missing and where can find markers for some of those, as well as why the stadiums were so important. Some of the history of the places are incredibly detailed. If you like reading about baseball, even if you’re not going to visit these places, there’s a lot to find in the book.

Also listed are where various Hall of Fame players are buried. Each state has a section at the end for Hall of Famers and where they are buried. There are also pictures of players and places that enrich the history even more.

It’s really amazing how much is around us. I expected to read a lot about certain places, like New York and California. I didn’t realize how much baseball history there is in other places. The history of minor leagues, Negro league, and barnstorming teams gave rise to sites to see in places I never would have dreamed baseball was played.

If you are a baseball fan, you owe it to yourself to pick this up. It’s not just the places, but the history behind them that’s fascinating.

I didn't love this one but I also didn't hate this one. However I'm not sure how I feel about this one. But I also don't regret reading it.

I have done two Baseball Park trips with two of my sons. How I wish I’d had this book. Lots of great idbits and insights for how to truly enjoy our national pastime beyond just the games and the obvious. Great work.

Whether you're a baseball fanatic or just a nostalgia buff, this book is a treasure that will be enjoyed for many years.

My goodness, what a wealth of knowledge this book is. It's full of not just places, but people, and so many stories. Baseball is really a game of strategy and stories, and I love how both are woven throughout this road trip. I also love that the Negro Leagues are woven, and I loved reading about the work being done to preserve this history. This is just an all-around gem of a read. I especially liked how small towns were spotlighted, so it wasn't just the "same ol' stuff" people always hear about. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me peruse this one. It's definitely one 'd want as a physical copy.