Follett Distributes Sporting Chance Press Winning Ways

sportingchancepress.com Winning Ways Books

Libraries have many choices these days on where they can buy their books.  It's not easy to secure partners who can sell your books to libraries.  For libraries and schools using Follett Corporation to provide their books, our Winning Ways Series is now available from them. Our Papa Bear and the Chicago Bears' Winning Ways (middle grades) and Baseball's Winning Ways (young adults) are now available through Follett.

Baseball’s Winning Ways is written for enjoyment, inspiration, and information by the author of The 10 Commandments of Baseball, J. D. Thorne. Baseball’s Winning Ways examines baseball eras and their backgrounds, along with profiles of great current and past players. The drama of the game, its history, baseball superstitions, statistics, and the story of trading cards are presented clearly for readers from age 12 on up. The central theme of the book is baseball’s principles that are essential to the best baseball programs. The author points out that baseball promotes certain virtues that are so important today. These are the values that parents, grandparents, teachers, and coaches want to pass down to the next generation—as important now as ever.

 

Papa Bear and the Chicago Bears' Winning Ways by Patrick McCaskey tells the dramatic story of George Halas and his crucial role in professional football--all written for middle grades and young adult readers. Papa Bear's leadership took professional football from its beginning into the modern age. In Papa Bear and the Chicago Bears' Winning Ways, highlights of history are presented with vintage photographs so readers are not only  exposed to story of football, but they get  American history as well. Halas's important words of wisdom, his winning ways, are also explored and are tied into Ben Franklin's self-help methods for young people. A glossary, quiz, and discussion questions offer young football fans plenty of  learning opportunities whether at home or used in a school setting. Grandparents and parents will want to get this guide for their children and help expose them to some of the history, culture, and virtues that so important.

Stories of Faith and Sacrifice

 We have been working for a decade on our Sports and Faith Series by Patrick McCaskey. And in some ways this series often reflects back on self sacrifice and giving. In 2019, we published our fourth book in the series called Worthwhile Struggle and then in 2020 we published our fifth, Sportsmanship. 

On the cover of Sportsmanship we include a famous photo of Papa Bear George Halas and Vince Lombardi. It hard to imagine two men who to better represent the struggle and hard work that went into the successful Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers football clubs. George Halas was also there in the early days of the NFL, helping to make it all work for generations to follow. It's not coincidental that both men were strong men of faith and they lived that way as well. 

On the cover of Worthwhile Struggle you will see Sister Jean of Loyola. It's hard to image a life more selflessly devoted to good than the life of a Catholic nun. Sister Jean was the team chaplain when the 2018 Ramblers went on the Final Four. And as she approached a century of living, she was asked to become a kind of media spokesman for the school. Confined to a wheel chair after a fall, Sister Jean was often wheeled out onto the stadium floor for "press conferences" and other events to help the school.  Decade after decade of service culminated in yet more service and sacrifice. 

Just as our parents and grandparents may have sacrificed and faced almost unfathomable hardships for their children, Sister Jean was out doing the same for "her Children" in Catholic Schools.  

At Sporting Chance Press, we continue to unapolgetically promote the good. 

2020 Sportsmanship

Our 2020 Sportsmanship is the most ambitious book in Patrick McCaskey’s popular Sports and Faith Series. The iconic cover photo of George Halas and Vince Lombardi says a lot about the book!

First, readers are treated to a wonderful Chicago Bears Calendar of historical events that celebrate one piece of Bears’ history for each day of the year. Facts surrounding many Bears’ players and their achievements are found here reflecting the hundred year history of the team. 

Next, individual chapters feature interesting stories, sports segments, personal reminiscences, faith experiences, and the author’s humorous musings. Reflecting the practice of classic sports journalist memoirs, McCaskey has frequently written about his favorite athletes and coaches. In Sportsmanship, the author adds a new twist to this practice by including a chapter on favorite writers who have inspired him. 

Perhaps a surprise for some readers will be the author’s chapter on biblical poems based on the four Gospels. Towards the end of the volume are McCaskey’s speeches that have been used at social and civil events, motivational presentations to churches and schools, and all types of occasions relating to his passion, the Chicago Bears.

As a Bears’ Vice President who is immersed in community outreach and personal charitable pursuits, McCaskey writes about many exceptional people that he has known along the way. Writing and speaking for many decades, the author is an athlete in his own right whose tastes in literature have influenced his career. McCaskey has always followed his grandfather George Halas’s advice to maintain a positive outlook. At the same time, readers will recognize his own enthusiasm for respecting those around him and taking time to smile and enjoy himself in his efforts.

Specifications: 

• Paperback : 368 pages
• ISBN-10 : 1734586303
• ISBN-13 : 978-1734586305
• Item Weight : 1.05 pounds
• Dimensions : 5.5 x 0.92 x 8.5 inches
• Publisher : Sporting Chance Press, Inc. (February 5, 2020)
• Price: $20, write publisher for quantity discounts.