Desert Hawk Books

 

You've Got to Have Balls to Make it in This League
My Life as an Umpire

By Pam Postema and Gene Wojciechowski

 

Paperback

Quantity:  $14.95 & S/H  



"Unceremoniously released in 1989 after 13 seasons (seven at the Triple A level), Postema, the most successful female umpire to date, understandably has some axes to grind. And grind them she does, hilariously and virtually unquotably, but with an evenhandedness, candor, and feeling that lift this book . . . far above the usual "inside" sports level." - Kirkus.

"Her story of life in an aggressively male environment makes the Anita Hill - Clarence Thomas allegations seem genteel. It's also a wonderful look at life in the minor leagues from an umpire's perspective." - Booklist.

In You've Got to Have Balls to Make It in This League Pam Postema reveals with frank language and uncompromising candor what it was like being an umpire in professional baseball. For thirteen seasons, from 1977 until her unconditional release in 1989, Postema umpired more than two thousand baseball games, making national news as she worked in various minor leagues as high as level AAA - one step below the majors. She also called many major league spring training games as well as the Hall of Fame game in 1988 between the Yankees and the Braves.

Postema's story is one of grit and determination to succeed in a profession dominated by men, but it is also an intimate look at umpiring. Postema discusses the mindset behind making a proper call, the weeks of intensive training, ejecting problem players and managers, and the chaos mixed with the monotony of being on the road most of the year. Throughout, Postema relates her encounters with major league stars when they were just up-and-comers in the minors.