Book description
Dale Scott's career as a professional baseball umpire spanned nearly forty years, including thirty-three in the Major Leagues, from 1985 to 2017. He worked exactly a thousand games behind the plate, calling balls and strikes at the pinnacle of his profession, working in every Major League Baseball stadium, and interacting with dozens of other top-flight umpires, colorful managers, and hundreds of players, from future Hall of Famers to one-game wonders. Scott has enough stories about his career on the field to fill a dozen books, and there are plenty of those stories here. He's not interested in settling scores, but throughout the book he's honest about managers and players, some of whom weren't always perfect gentlemen. But what makes Scott's book truly different is his unique perspective as the only umpire in the history of professional baseball to come out as gay during his career. Granted, that was after decades of remaining in the closet, and Scott writes vividly and movingly about having to "play the game" maintaining a facade of straightness while privately becoming his true self and building a lasting relationship with his future husband. He navigated this obstacle course at a time when his MLB career was just taking off--and when North America was consumed by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Scott's story isn't only about his leading a sort of double life, then opening himself up to the world and discovering a new generosity of spirit. It's also a baseball story, filled with insights and memorable anecdotes that come so naturally from someone who spent decades among the world's greatest baseball players, managers, and games. Scott's story is fascinating both for his umpiring career and for his being a pioneer for LGBTQ people within baseball and across sports.
Mr. 44
ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats means I can listen to all my favorite content without worries. ListenBook has made my audiobook journey effortless, turning every moment into an escape. π‘ This app truly understands the needs of audiobook enthusiasts β it delivers an effortless and enjoyable listening experience. ππ§ Adjusting playback speed has transformed the way I consume audiobooks. I can tailor the pacing to match my learning style and preferences. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Old Felix
This app's sleek design and effortless navigation have made my audiobook journey a true delight. Audiobook journey simplified β this app's functionality is a wonderful surprise. The ability to organize my library is a huge plus. Everything is so neat and tidy. The app is so well-designed. Itβs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it. Absolutely loved the narration! The voice actor brought the characters to life with distinct tones and emotions. The production quality was top-notch, with no background noise or distractions. A truly immersive experience!
Queen Ginger
Audiobooks have become my escape from reality β a journey into captivating worlds. πΌ Merging work and pleasure β audiobooks keep me company during house admin tasks! π»π§ Audiobooks anytime, anywhere β this app's functionality is a reader's delight. Effortlessly managing my audiobook collection β this app's functionality is a winner. Listened to this on a road trip and it made the hours fly by. Even my passengers who weren't following along commented on how nice the narrator's voice was.
K-9
ListenBook's multiple ways to download audio, including from the internet, are a game-changer. Finally, an app that caters to audiobook enthusiasts like me. The diverse format support and user-friendly design are a game-changer. π±π ListenBook's commitment to a seamless user experience is evident in its sleek design and intuitive controls. The app's performance is exceptional, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted audiobook experience. It's clear that it's designed with audiobook enthusiasts in mind.
QuantumQuill
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Cricket
I've become a loyal fan of audiobooks, and this app is the reason why! No more hassle with converting files β ListenBook supports a wide range of formats for a seamless listening experience. ListenBook's audio filters have transformed the way I experience audio content β it's a real game-changer. I'm so grateful for this app β it's like having a personal storyteller wherever I go. I can't get over how smooth the playback is. Even high-quality files play flawlessly.
Chlorine
This audiobook app is an absolute lifesaver! It brings my favorite stories to life with unparalleled convenience. A reasonable choice for casual listening. The audiobook was well-produced, but the pacing felt uneven in places. I didnβt dislike it, but I also didnβt feel strongly about it one way or another.
Twinkle Cocoa
I can't get enough of the celebrity narrators β they add a unique charm to each book. The app's interface is sleek and modern, making it a joy to use. ListenBook's comprehensive support for a wide range of audio formats sets it apart from other audiobook apps.
Shady Prairie
I'm grateful for ListenBook's seamless compatibility with a variety of formats β it's a true lifesaver. Automatic metadata retrieval adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
Lil Rebel Ma
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures I never miss out on any audio gem. πΌ Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background β love it! π»π§ Finally, an app that lets me enjoy audiobooks without worrying about file formats! Automatic artwork and metadata extraction keep my audiobook library organized and visually appealing.
Sienna Princess
This app's convenience has made reading a consistent part of my life. π My audiobook haven β this app is like a door to endless adventures and knowledge! ππ I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device. This was an adequate audiobook for casual listening. The narrator maintained a consistent pace and clear diction throughout, though their performance lacked some emotional range. The audio quality was fine with no significant technical distractions.
Slinger
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Fiend Oblivion
Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's elegant design and robust functionality make it a must-have for anyone who loves to listen on the go. π§π± I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
xFRST
Book groups help me keep series together and navigate my collection more efficiently. A great feature! Looping playback has revolutionized my language learning journey. I'm making rapid progress. Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my audiobook library look neat and professional. The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience. I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itβs so easy.
Rando Tank
The app's features, like the sleep timer, make it clear that it's designed with readers in mind. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my audio content much more enjoyable in noisy environments. With this app, reading has become an integral part of my daily routine. π‘ Embracing audiobooks while tidying up the house β it's like having a helper! π π ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use.
TulipCake
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Steel Cut Toe
With ListenBook Pro, I can customize the tone of the sound to match my preferences β it's a fantastic touch. I'm amazed at how this app has turned my errands into exciting reading sessions. Audiobook multitasking made easy β this app's functionality is a marvel. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch has made audiobook listening a part of my daily routine. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Flint Cast-Iron
ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. πΆπ Enriching my environment with the power of storytelling β audiobooks infuse my home with literary magic. π§π The app's performance is top-notch. It's stable, responsive, and optimized for a seamless audiobook experience. Kudos to the developers!
Street Jolly
ListenBook's support for chapters and bookmarks ensures that I never lose my place in a story. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a social audiophile's dream. This app has enriched my daily routine and added a touch of intellectual stimulation. This app's dedication to providing high-quality narration has made all the difference. The statistics feature in ListenBook adds an element of self-awareness to my audiobook consumption.
LuminaLore
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Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience