Sports Related Spiritual books

This book is both entertaining and educational, fanciful and inspirational. It draws from the lives of Jesus Christ and Yogi Berra, Joseph of Nazareth and Joe DiMaggio, Moses and Hank Aaron, Saint Peter and Jackie Robinson. And God Said, "Play Ball!" makes the Bible more approachable by relating it to a game loved by both children and adults. It also shows that baseball is not only a game, but a never-ending series of lessons about life, as well.

The author has been a baseball fan for more than forty years and a Catholic a lot longer than that. He has played, coached, watched, or taught baseball since he was seven years old. He is very active in lay ministry and catechetics at his Catholic parish in Seattle, and has found both the Bible and baseball to be among the greatest teachers in his life.

This book includes 8 pages of timeless photographs. You won't find a more inspiring gift for that baseball player in your life--of whatever age--or that fan in front of your TV! 180 pages; Softcover; Ligouri Publications; Spring 2005
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Stitches was a newly manufactured baseball with dreams of glory. He wanted to make it to the big leagues. His dreams were shattered when a defect was discovered in his stitching. So instead of an exciting major league career, destiny landed him in a secondhand store.

This is a marvelous tale of how God's Providence makes dreams come true in ways we least expect. It proves the old adage: When one door closes another door opens. And in Stitches' case, it is the door to the Hall of Fame. 32 pages, Hardcover, Ambassodor Books.

"There are two things that one can never say often enough: one, that the game exists only to be enjoyed; and two, that there is no limit to the number of ways that it can be enjoyed. Diamond Presence shines a light upon these two truths." Bill James, author of The Bill James Handbook A touching collection of twelve true, short stories in which the authors relate how they came to feel the presence of God while enjoying the great American pastime of baseball as players, coaches, parents, children, or just plain fans.

• Patrick Hannon-"The Banjo Man"
• Robert Raccuglia-"Playing with Luzinksi"
• Sara Kaden-"A Smile at Third Base"
• Patrick T. Reardon-"Ready to Be Caught Off Guard"
• Helen Reichert Lambin-"The Boys of Spring"
• Michael Wilt-"Looking for the Story Line"
• Jean Larkin-"It's a Team Effort"
• William John Fitzgerald-"Epiphany in St. Louis"
• Carol DeChant-"Babe Ruth Blesses the Sons of Kerry"
• Andre Dubus-"Under the Lights"
• Jerome D. Lamb-"Buring Maris"
• Michael Leach-"Heaven Begins on the Spot Where You're Standing"

ACTA Publications Hardcover 176 pages, September 2004

Some of America's greatest sports figures talk about the spiritual strength that sustained them in moments of glory and pain.

Among those featured are Bob Cousy, Mickey Mantle, Jackie Robinson, Mike Ditka, Roger Staubach, Stan Musial, and Jim O'Brien.

An exciting, touching, funny, sad, inspiring book by an award-winning sports writer and former athlete. A great gift for any sports fan. Over 70 black and white photos! 240 pages, paperback, Ambassodor Books.

• increase your spiritual strength.
• add new life to your relationships with your spouse, family, and friends.
• re-energize your soul as you deepen your love of Christ and His Church.

In this book you will find four college coaches' reflections on the ministry of coaching. Each reflection contains the faith story of each coach as well as the insight gained through more than one hundred years of combined coaching experience.

Paperback; 64 pages
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Shot in breath-taking Hi-def video and set to a rousing musical score and soundtrack featuring Grammy Award-winning Third Day and legendary recording artist Bob Dylan, Champions of Faith: Baseball Edition serves to humanize some of the most celebrated and accomplished ballplayers of our time and restore the “sports hero” to its proper place in the American culture. You will laugh, cry, stand, cheer and be awed by the captivating personal stories captured in these interviews and the thrilling game highlights provided by Major League Baseball Productions. This inaugural production of Catholic Exchange's new film & video division provides some of the big­gest names in our national pastime with a unique forum to discuss faith, family, teamwork, sac­rifice, leadership, humility and the many virtues and spiritual lessons they have learned from the game.

The players, coaches, and managers interviewed for this project and featured in this film include Mike Piazza, David Eckstein, Mike Sweeney, Jeff Suppan, Jack McKeon, Tom Glavine, Craig Biggio, Sean Casey, Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez, Jim Leyland, Mike Scioscia, Lance Berkman, Tim Salmon, Juan Pierre, Mark Prior, Carlos Beltran, Ozzie Guillen, A.J. Pierzynski, Chris Speier, Rich Donnelly, Sandy Alomar, Sr., Sandy Alomar Jr., Mark Teahen, and former players Darrell Miller and Sal Bando. Champions of Faith: Baseball Edition provides an emotionally powerful, action-packed glimpse into what makes a baseball player – and a human being – great.

65 Minutes. Released May 2007
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And God Said, "It's Good!" takes the sport of football and compares this favorite Sunday pastime to the Bible -- and it works. Once again, Gary Graf combines his love of sports with the Bible, resulting in an amusing and fun-loving book that delights any sports fan.

Comparisons include Hail Mary passes and answered prayers; immaculate receptions and Immaculate Conceptions; football stadiums and cathedrals; biblical verses and double reverses, plus good books and playbooks. These and many more parallels fill this lively and entertaining book every Catholic sports fan will love!

On any Sunday, you can bet some are brought closer to the spirit of the sport while others are more connected to the bible. The twenty chapters in this book compare football and the bible--with remarkable results!

*"Forgiveness and good works were just pre-game drills for the Lord's true purpose here on earth."

*"God rested on Sunday. Football is mostly played on Sunday. Coincidence? I think not."

Any author who can find similarities between the dazzling colors of a football team and the colorful vestments of a priest--needs to have his book read cover to cover. A delightful read for everyone--even if you're not remotely interested in football. Ligouri Publications Fall 2007, Hardcover 192 pages.