Minor League Baseball


Book Description

Examine the big-league benefits of minor league baseball! The Minor League Baseball: Community Building Through Hometown Sports examines the role played by minor league baseball in hundreds of cities and towns across the United States. Written from the unique perspective of a sociologist who also happens to be an avid baseball fan, the book looks at the contributions minor league teams make to the quality of life in their communities, creating focal points for spirit and cohesiveness while providing opportunities for interaction and entertainment. The book links theory and experience to present a “sociology of baseball” that explains the symbiotic relationship which brings people together for a common purpose—to root, root, root for the home team. From the author: Minor league baseball is played across the country in more than 100 very different communities. These communities seem to share a special bond with their teams. As with all sports teams, there is a symbiotic relationship between the team and the city or town that it represents. In the case of major league professional sports, the relationship is often fueled by economic outcomes. On the minor league level, the relationship appears to go beyond mere money and prestige. Minor league teams occupy a special place in our hearts. We are more forgiving when they lose, and extremely proud of them when they win. Minor League Baseball: Community Building Through Hometown Sports is a detailed look at the connection between town and team, including: economic benefits (development strategies, community growth) intangible benefits (ballpark camaraderie, hometown pride) fan attachment and attendance (demographic variables, stadium accessibility, “home court advantage”) case studies of two Maryland minor-league franchises--the Class AA Bowie Baysox and the Class A Hagerstown Suns Minor League Baseball: Community Building Through Hometown Sports also includes an introduction to the organizational structure of the minor leagues, a history of each current league, and charts and tables on attendance figures and franchise relocations. This book is essential reading for sociologists, sport sociologists/historians, academics and/or practitioners in the fields of community sociology and psychology, and of course, baseball fans.




FCC Record


Book Description




Pathways to Religious Life


Book Description

The history of religious life in the Catholic Church has been filled with change: periods of membership growth and decline, shifts in the types of ministries, and changes in the ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds of the men and women who join. Today, as the numbers of new members diminish, some say that the very future of religious life is in jeopardy. What is the state of religious life in the United States today? Which institutes are increasing in membership and which are decreasing or ceasing to exist? From what ethnic and socioeconomic populations are they drawing their members? What new religious institutes and ecclesial movements are being founded and how successful are they? What influences a young man or woman to consider religious life today? How are religious from other countries shaping religious life here as they come to the US to minister? Many of these questions can be addressed by data from studies of religious life in the US which the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) has conducted over the last ten years. The impact of the individual's family dynamics and educational experience before their entrance into religious life is examined here, as well as the influence of an increasing number of Catholic volunteer programs. The emergence of lay associates in religious institutes and the birth of new religious institutes since Vatican Council II in the United States are investigated as new ways of living religious life. The increase in the number of sisters and priests studying and ministering in the United States from other countries is examined for its impact on religious life. The authors' findings yield valuable recommendations for religious institutes and vocation directors who wish to attract new members.




Leagues of Their Own


Book Description

"This history and analysis traces the emergence of independent leagues and teams and follows them year by year. It profiles in detail one team from each of the leagues operating in 1999: the Bridgeport (Connecticut) Blue Fish of the Atlantic League, the Kalamazoo (Michigan) Kodiaks of the Frontier League, the Tri-City (Washington) Posse of the Western League, the Ozark (Missouri) Mountain Ducks of the Texas-Louisiana League, and the Duluth-Superior (Minnesota) Dukes of the Northern League West. Also included are profiles of individual players, managers, owners, umpires, and fans."--BOOK JACKET.




NCRR Reporter


Book Description







Official Congressional Directory


Book Description

Contains biographies of Senators, members of Congress, and the Judiciary. Also includes committee assignments, maps of Congressional districts, a directory of officials of executive agencies, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, web addresses, and other information.










Business Aspects of Optometry


Book Description

Count on this complete guide to setting up and managing an optometric practice! Business Aspects of Optometry covers everything related to the business side of a practice — such as selecting a location and staff, equipping the office, office administration and personnel management, marketing, options for a specialty practice, controlling costs, billing and reimbursement, risk management, and financial planning. To succeed in practice, this is the one resource you need! - Unique! Expert authors are practice management educators who teach the course in optometry schools. - A logical organization makes it easy to find practical information on managing your own practice or purchasing your own practice. - Coverage of different types of ownership includes self-employment, individual proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations. - Coverage of cost control issues compares the selection and use of an optical laboratory versus an in-house finishing lab. - Risk management and insurance coverage provides an overview of personal, life, liability, and disability insurance. - Coverage of financial planning and tax reporting discusses topics including IRAs, retirement plans, estate planning, and personal and business tax issues. - Bulleted lists, tables, figures, and boxes help you locate valuable information quickly. - Checklists provide a logical progression in completing tasks. NEW chapters expand the book's scope of coverage, and include these topics: - Personal and professional goal setting - Resumes and interviews - Debt management - Principles of practice transfer - Ethics - Quality assurance - Specialty practice - Vision rehabilitation - Coding and billing - Financial decision making - Exit strategies