Spitball Magazine

Spitball is a literary baseball magazine founded in 1981 and dedicated to poetry, short fiction, prose, art, and book reviews; all devoted to baseball. In 1983 Spitball established the CASEY Award to honor the authors and publishers of the best baseball books published each year. The CASEY was the first award of its kind, and it is widely recognized as the most prestigious award that a baseball book can be given.

 A key component of Spitball's mission is the timely publication of authoritative, lively, and appreciative reviews of quality baseball books. These reviews can be found in our Baseball Books Reviewed section. We also publish short and to-the-point reviews of current baseball books in the "Baseball Book News" column at the back of each issue of Spitball Magazine.

Spitball's Latest News  30th CASEY Award Banquet Big Success Crosley's Sports Bar & Grill in Cincinnati had a full house of enthusiastic and attentive literary baseball fans on hand Sunday afternoon March 3 to welcome the 2012 CASEY Award winner Paul Dickson, author of Bill Veeck: Baseball's Greatest Maverick.  After the usual CASEY Banquet hi-jinks and the introductions of all the Finalists for 2012, Mr. Dickson delivered a riveting acceptance speech which totally enthralled the crowd. He not only spoke eloquently about his subject, the fascinating Bill Veeck, but he also provided great insights into the research and writing process he underwent which is necessary to produce such a great book.  Late Sunday evening Cincinnati residents were treated to an interview of Mr. Dickson along with Spitball Editor Mike Shannon on ABC affiliate Channel 9's "Sports of All Sorts" television program which is hosted by the inimitable John Popovich. During the Show Mr. Dickson's blue & gold CASEY Award Louisville Slugger bat was prominently displayed and focused on. Once again, the editors of Spitball wish to congratulate Mr. Dickson and his publisher, Walker & Company, as well as all the Nominated authors and publishers; thank Crosley's for their hospitality; and thank all the literary baseball fans who joined us on the 3rd to celebrate the best baseball books of 2012. (see CASEY Award page for full report and photo coverage)   Spitball issue #71 (Barry Larkin cover) now on its way to all subscribers! Issue #72 (Spring 2013) with a Jackie Robinson cover is now under preparation The newest issue of Spitball, #71, which carries a Fall 2012 designation and has a drawing of the Reds' Barry Larkin by Scott Hannig on the cover, is now on its way to all subscribers. If you do not get this issue by June 1st, please let us know. We wish to thank all subscribers for their patience. New Poems of the Month   New Poems of the Month for January, February, March, and April 2013 were posted on 4/10/2013.   We are now accepting online subscriptions for Spitball: The Literary Baseball Magazine New CASEY Award To Be Authentic Louisville Slugger!