"THE ART OF PLAYING BASEBALL SCIENTIFICALLY INVOLVES THREE MAIN FACTORS: THE ABILITY TO SIZE UP A SITUATION, THE KNOWLEDGE OF EXACTLY WHAT SHOULD BE DONE UPON EACH OCCASION, AND THE ACTUAL DOING OF THE CORRECT THING"

(BASEBALL) (SPALDING). Outdoor Baseball for Girls and Women. Official Baseball Guide. New York: American Sports Publishing, (1933). Small octavo, original photographic paper wrappers, pp. 62. $550.

Early edition of this comprehensive guide to baseball for women and girls, including numerous diagrams and helpful essays by experts in the game, with very scarce folding instructional poster laid in.

Written by the Rules and Editorial Committee of the Women's Section of the American Physical Education Association, this illustrated "Official Baseball Guide" was intended to introduce women and girls to the accepted rules of baseball. Interestingly, the Women's Section wrote the work with a particular emphasis on cohesive team play—rather than focusing on the batter as many contemporary guides did—in an attempt to teach as more understandable and cooperative game. Issued as part of Spalding's Athletic Library, this guide was particularly valued by coaches for its straightforward and practical instruction. Included here is an instructional poster featuring photographic illustrations, terminology definitions, and game rules. The instructional poster was originally attached to a tab at the rear, but is today quite scarce even when detached as here. The earliest known edition of this work is from 1929; Spalding continued publishing it as late as 1937. "1933" written in pencil on front wrapper. A few pencil annotations to poster.

Wear, splitting at folds, and a few pin marks from hanging to fragile and scarce poster. Book bright and near-fine, with only minor rubbing.