October 2023 MBR The Sports Shelf

The Sports Shelf

A Climber's Guide to the Teton Range, fourth edition
Reynold Jackson & Leigh N. Ortenburger, authors
Greg Winston, photographer
Mountaineers Books
www.mountaineersbooks.org
9781680511970, $49.95, PB, 544pp

https://www.amazon.com/Climbers-Guide-Teton-Range-4th/dp/1680511971

Synopsis: This fourth edition of "A Climber's Guide to the Teton Range" (which was years in the making) includes 932 routes on more than 235 peaks and canyon walls. For each route, longtime Teton climbing ranger Renny Jackson supplies difficulty classification, first ascent information, and access to the route, and, as needed, also includes approach considerations, route and/or pitch details, and route of descent. He also notes the estimated time needed for the climb and any additional protection needs. Cross-references for each route shown on the topographic figures help climbers quickly find the route details they need.

In this newly updated and expanded 4th edition of "A Climber's Guide to the Teton Range", aspiring climbers, both novice and experienced, will find a greatly expanded section on the history of climbing in the Tetons along with updated information about geology, climatology, preparation, regulations, and ethics. Jackson also covers possible traverses and enchainments (linking up several routes).

Of special note is the inclusion of a new section explaining route descriptions, maps, and difficulty ratings enhances this edition's usability, and a complete list of Jackson's favorite climbs rounds out this essential guide.

Critique: Co-authored by Renny Jackson and Leigh N. Ortenburger, and featuring 932 routes (including dozens of new routes) and a new chapter on the Grand Traverse and all-new aerial photography by Greg Winston, with detailed route overlays, "A Climber's Guide to the Teton Range: 4th Edition" is thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, making it an ideal resource for planning itineraries. While also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $19.99), "A Climber's Guide to the Teton Range: 4th Edition" is a valued and recommended pick for personal, professional, community, and academic library Rock Climbing, Mountain Climbing, and Western USA Travel Guide collections.

Editorial Note #1: Renny Jackson (https://exumguides.com/renny-jackson) is a climber with over 50 years of experience, worked as a climbing ranger for 34 years at Denali and Grand Teton National Parks before retiring in 2010.

Editorial Note #2: Leigh Ortenburger (1929-1991) was the original author of "A Climber's Guide to the Teton Range" and his work continues to inform the current edition. (http://publications.americanalpineclub.org/articles/12199228900/Leigh-Ortenburger-1929-1991)

Editorial Note #3: Greg Winston (www.gregwinstonphoto.com) creates landscape and nature images which are widely published, and he has helped create natural history documentaries broadcast by National Geographic and the BBC.

Burial At Home Plate
Bob Fulton
Dorrance Publishing Company
www.dorrancepublishing.com
9798888121399, $23.00, PB, 336pp

https://www.amazon.com/Burial-Home-Plate-Oddball-Pittsburgh/dp/B0CJL4MZ5J

Synopsis: With the publication of "Burial at Home Plate: An Oddball History of the Pittsburgh Pirates", dedicated baseball fan Bob Fulton offers a colorful look at the Pittsburgh Pirates, with an emphasis on the offbeat moments in team history.

Pittsburgh Pirates fans will read about the doubleheader completed underwater; the Pittsburgh outfielders whose pursuit of a batted ball was halted by a gun-wielding Cincinnati fan; the pitcher who earned a victory while taking a nap; the dead man who tied a franchise record for games played; the sparrow that flew from beneath batter Casey Stengel's cap; and the rookie who struck out while seated on the bench.

"Burial at Home Plate" also touches on the indoor game that was rained out; the throng of 50,000 that turned out in Pittsburgh for a game played more than 400 miles away; the tipsy pitcher who fell asleep inside the tarp during a game; the future MVPs who delivered their first major league hits while still in the minors; the FBI agent who "pinch hit" for Ralph Kiner; and the Pirates manager who disproved the notion that you can't steal first base.

Additionally, "Burial at Home Plate" shines the spotlight on the Green Weenie, the alabaster plaster, Aunt Minnie, the Rickey Dinks, Destiny's Darlings, Dr. Strangeglove, eephus pitches and-the inspiration for the book's title-a strange pre-game interment that took place at home plate.

Critique: An absolute 'must read' for the legions of Pittsburgh Pirate fans, "Burial at Home Plate: An Oddball History of the Pittsburgh Pirates" is a fun and informative read that is impressively well written, organized and presented. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Baseball History collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Burial at Home Plate: An Oddball History of the Pittsburgh Pirates" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $18.00).

Editorial Note: The first time Bob Fulton went to a Pittsburgh Pirates game, in the summer of 1961, a foul ball came the youngster's way, and his father, Wayne, reached up, bare-handed the ball and gave it to his son. Later on, the ball was sent to the Pirates' clubhouse, where a handful of players autographed it for the youngster. For 9-year-old Bob, it was the start of something else. He developed a lifelong passion for the Pirates, in particular the oddball things that have happened during the team's sometimes-storied, sometimes-sad history. Both have become parts of his career as a book, newspaper and magazine writer that has spanned parts of six decades.

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