Michael Lewis's audio book about travel softball; playing to win

[Tazman]

Anyone notice this paradox?

Early on, when his daughter’s team is losing—it’s mentioned that softball is a blue-collar sport and the author mocks “Republicans” and their cargo shorts, pick-up trucks and ice chests. Along with comments about the best softball players coming from the areas with the cheapest real estate.

Then later in the book when his daughter lands on a strong team, he goes on to talk about how girls with limited means don’t get the same opportunities as girls who gave families capable of paying for more elite training.

Overall, I thought the book had a lot of good content but found the author to come across as a bit elitist.

I think that's part of his point. Early on, it's athletic talent, but over time the money takes over and even the talented struggle to compete (or compromise their finances keeping up). This is not a surprise given the technique involved in high level softball at older ages but it is unfortunate.

 

[NJSwampdragons]

I didn't see mention of this (except in passing) in this thread. Sad indeed: https://www.latimes.com/california/...el-lewis-tabitha-soren-daughter-dies-in-crash

I recently listened to the audio book then looked up the daughter afterwards to see where she went to college not realizing that. So tragic and not long after it was published.