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.
CuriousCraft
This app is a treasure trove of knowledge, entertainment, and imagination. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual discovery and personal fulfillment. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the clarity of recordings and makes my listening sessions more enjoyable. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising.
Suicide Jockey
The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a treasure trove of knowledge and entertainment. ListenBook has made me fall in love with my audio content all over again โ it's a must-have. ๐โโ๏ธ๐ Combining fitness and fiction โ this app keeps me motivated during workouts with its engaging stories! ๐โโ๏ธ๐ Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Avenge Paws
The offline mode is a lifesaver on flights โ I'm never without a good story. ListenBook's interface is not just aesthetically pleasing; it's also highly functional. Navigating through chapters and controls is a breeze. Navigating through chapters is effortless with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and intuitive experience. I'm amazed by the attention to detail, from automatic metadata extraction to customizable settings.
Back Bett
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. ListenBook's commitment to providing top-notch audio quality has taken my audiobook experience to a new level.
Stealth
With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of literature during my daily walks โ it's truly invigorating. ๐ Unlocking the door to imagination โ this app is my key to endless stories and endless possibilities. ๐๐ No more limits on the genres I can explore! This app's versatility in downloading and organizing audiobooks ensures I always have a captivating tale at my fingertips. ๐๐ฑ This audiobook made my workouts fly by! The engaging narration kept me motivated to keep listening, which meant longer gym sessions. The narrator's energy matched the material perfectly - upbeat when needed, somber when appropriate. A great example of how narration can enhance text.
Sherwood Gladiator
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration is a brilliant touch. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's design focuses on seamless interaction. Automatic metadata retrieval adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection. The app is so user-friendly. Even my grandma can use it!
Doz Killer
ListenBook Pro's sharing features allow me to spread the joy of audiobooks with my friends and family. ListenBook's support for various formats ensures that no audiobook is out of reach. ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook lovers. The auto-rewind feature ensures I never miss a word. One of the best audiobooks Iโve heard! The story was compelling, and the narratorโs delivery added depth to every scene. I found myself looking for excuses to listen just a little longer. Will definitely revisit this one!
DollFaceKillah
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Gingersnap Woman
I'm rediscovering my favorite classics in a whole new way โ through audiobooks! โญ๏ธ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency โ I'm savoring stories with ease, even on the busiest days. ๐ถ๐ ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is fascinating. I can alter the reader's voice to match my moodโwhat a creative addition! ListenBook's library organization keeps my audiobooks neat and accessible. A true organizational lifesaver! ListenBook has become an integral part of my daily routine. Its compatibility with Apple Watch and CarPlay makes it the ultimate companion for various activities.
Marbles
This app has turned my daily commute into a source of inspiration and entertainment. I love how this app makes my daily commute a journey through literature. Noise reduction is magic. I can finally enjoy dictaphone recordings without discomfort. The app never crashes. Itโs reliable and stable.
B@d B0y
Audiobook lovers, meet your new best friend! This app's smooth playback and easy organization have transformed my reading experience. ๐๐ง ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an indispensable part of my routine. A functional audiobook production that met basic requirements. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough to listen to for extended periods, though their performance didn't add much interpretation to the text. The audio engineering was competent without being remarkable.
Cool Iris
ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a game-changer. I can now focus on the story even in noisy environments. Makes listening to audiobooks so easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook! The app is so reliable. Iโve never had any issues with it.
Coffee
Savoring audiobooks without fuss โ this app's design is impressive. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality, providing a clear and immersive listening experience that enhances my enjoyment. Sharing books with friends via AirDrop is so convenient. Thanks, ListenBook!
Snow Pharaoh
ListenBook's configurable auto-rewind after interruptions is a smart addition that keeps me on track. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a seamless addition to my daily routine. Looping playback is an invaluable tool for my study sessions. It helps me grasp complex concepts. No need for file conversion is a game-changer. Love using ListenBook on my iPhone. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureโitโs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
InsightfulInk
User-friendly brilliance! This app's functionality enhances my audiobook experience. Audiobooks have never been this accessible and enjoyable. This app's compatibility with various formats and its emphasis on user experience have made it an essential tool for me. ๐ฑ๐
Find It Girl
The convenience of having an entire library at my fingertips is a dream come true. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a unique feature that adds a personal touch to my listening. I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itโs so easy.
Darkside Orbit
๐๐ Exploring stories even with my eyes off the page โ this app is a bedtime dream! ๐ด๐ง ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is a game-changer!
Moon Orchid
Kudos to the app for making literature accessible to those with busy schedules. This app has made my commutes and long drives a source of joy and learning. This app has brought the magic of books back into my life. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made a significant difference in the clarity of recordings. ListenBookโs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Sherm
With a vast genre selection, I've broadened my horizons and explored new topics. It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
Bad Bunny
ListenBook's customizable audio filters allow me to personalize my listening experience โ a fantastic feature. Perfect for repeat listening! The narrator's performance was so rich with detail that I'm sure I'll discover new layers on a second listen. Their interpretation felt authentic to the material while bringing fresh insights. The audio production was pristine from start to finish.
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