The Beauty of a Diamond, Through the Eyes of a Coach should be required reading for parents of young athletes as well as coaches, especially those just entering the profession. As the book notes, the ideals of positivity, ethical choices, and mutual respect are often cast aside in the desire to win at all costs. It articulately reminds readers of the many life lessons inherent in the game of baseball. Through anecdotes about his parents and others in his life, Dan Clouser personalizes the narrative, sharing firsthand family and vocational experiences that will no doubt resonate with readers, especially those with a link to sports. In addition, he emphasizes the importance of volunteerism, and the personal satisfaction that he has derived from helping others with no expectation of a return for his efforts. The Beauty of a Diamond not only outlines Clouser's personal coaching career (warts and all), he provides inspiration and motivation for readers regardless of their professions or personal lives. The theme of legacy-the ways in which we influence and touch others' lives-suggests that we can all experience some degree of immortality through mentorship; the knowledge we share will be shared by those we mentor. Editorial Reviews Kirkus Reviews Clouser's testament to the virtues of America's pastime. Few people have such a singular passion as Clouser does for baseball. A longtime player, he turned his attention to coaching after realizing his big league dreams were beyond the fences. Inspired by his courageous mother, his book begins with a memorial to her selflessness and commitment to giving back. Among these memories, Clouser recounts his mother's indifference and his own astonishment after learning she had lunch with a famous baseball player through the organization where she worked. (She recalled only that the player was a very nice man.) Clouser learned from his mother that there's more to a man than what he does for a paycheck, even if that check comes from playing professional baseball. He provides many other heartwarming examples of his mother's humility and how it had a lasting effect on him. Following his love for the game, Clouser helped found the Berkshire Baseball Club, a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching young players the virtues of sportsmanship inherent in the sport. Among his noble goals is to teach young players, particularly those with lofty aspirations, that baseball doesn't last forever, even for the greatest players, so he sets out to prepare kids for a moral life off the diamond. Clouser's advice has a tendency to become sentimental and preachy, but his earnestness is genuinely affecting. Ultimately, Clouser's story and his passion for the game will leave readers longing for a simpler time when the world revolved around the diamond. Although sometimes redundant and self-evident, this solid advice could be a handy tool for instructors.
About the Author: Dan Clouser founded the Berkshire Baseball Club, a nonprofit youth baseball organization that is based in Reading, Pennsylvania in 1989. He still serves as the organizations President and General Manager today. The organization was founded on the basic principles of teaching young people life lessons through the game of baseball. The organization encourages the beliefs of good sportsmanship, honesty, loyalty, dignity, humility, class and respect for authority. In addition, the organization stresses the importance of community service, volunteerism and giving back to the community. Clouser also founded the organizations Scholarship Fund, which has awarded over $30,000 in scholarships since its inception in 2001 as well as the organizations World Equipment Outreach Program in 2006, which has donated over five-hundred boxes and counting of baseball and softball equipment to children in need throughout the world. Clouser's coaching career has lasted for 23 years and counting. During that tenure, he has coached over 1,300 games at several different age levels and has left an indelible mark on the lives of the players that he has coached. Clouser has also served as an associate scout for the Philadelphia Phillies since 2001. He has dedicated his life to giving back and helping others.