This is an enjoyable book to read as it captures the Nationals during spring training in Viera, Florida. Throughout their history, the Nationals have only trained at Viera’s Space Coast Stadium and this book documents the history of the Nationals at Viera. The book has over 200 color pictures, and the photos really make you feel as if you’re at spring training. The book is divided into eight chapters, with plenty of supporting text as well. There are some unique pictures in the book, including one of Bryce Harper’s fist hit in a Nationals uniform when he played in one of his first spring training games. Also, there are some close-up pictures of Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmerman in the bullpen. One of these pictures even shows in clear detail Strasburg’s scar from elbow surgery.The text is a pleasure to read too! There is a story about an 8-year-old boy who managed to get 11 foul balls at a spring training game. Reading about how he accumulated so many treasures and how he gave some of them away is a treat. Also, at one point the author even quotes from Homer’s “Odyssey” in explaining a sequence of pictures where “nobody” is safe at second.Though the book focuses on the Nationals, it also provides tips for getting the most out of a trip to Florida for spring training. The chapter on the backfields at Viera shows how there is so much more to spring training than just attending the exhibition games. The final chapter provides a subjective scorecard of how a trip to Viera rates according to such criteria as Fan Friendliness, Player Accessibility, and Value. The author, Jim Maggiore, gives Viera a .750 batting average, which is great in any league!All in all, I’d give this book a .750 average as well, and five stars!
