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Bill's Books
To purchase Bill's latest book, "Life Ain't The Same in the Pecos League...A Rookie Manager Navigates Baseball's Most Notorious Independent League," just click on the links below. A paperback version of the book and a Kindle version are available. As always, "THANK YOU!"
For the paperback book, click here:
https://www.amazon.com/Life-Aint-Same-Pecos-League/dp/B08JB7M9RN
For the Kindle version, click here:
https://www.amazon.com/Life-Aint-Same-Pecos-League-ebook/dp/B08FZT1S7L
REVIEWS!
Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2022
Life and times in the Pecos League! No one really knows what goes on in the minor leagues at this level and this book lets you know and appreciate the struggle. I respect the players and managers far more after reading this book.
Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2021
Verified Purchase
Bill hits this one out of the park! This first hand experience into the Independent League is hilarious, frustrating and real. Well done!
Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2021
Verified Purchase
While MLB gets the lion's share of attention, baseball is played professionally in well over 100 more U.S. cities outside the big leagues from Class AAA (one rung below the majors) down to independent leagues with no parent clubs, meaning those teams are on their own. The Atlantic League is the best-known of the indy league but the one that represents pro baseball at its' grass-roots grittiest has to the the Pecos League.
The Pecos League has teams located from California to Texas (and as far north as Colorado and Kansas). These teams are run on shoestring budgets, with players earning fifty dollars per week carpooling for road trips to towns hundreds of miles away and back. Needless to say, the players, coaches and managers have to LOVE baseball to do this with precious few days off ten weeks during the hottest time of the year, playing in front of sparse crowds in small towns from Garden City, Kansas to Wasco, California. It sure ain't for the money. Even so, there is some talent in the Pecos League, with most players coming from college programs or other independent league, and while their lives are spartan, they're not without joy.
Bill Rogan was the manager of the Tucson Saguaros in 2019 after having been a minor league radio broadcaster and senior amateur player for several years. This book recounts his experiences running a team at the lowest rung of the baseball ladder. He's an observant and insightful guy who sees the big picture, can tell a good story and gives readers a clear impression of what he dealt with (good and bad) managing a team where players came and went while he worked with 22-man rosters but no designated hitter rule, meaning that occasionally an outfielder might take the mound while a pitcher (some of whom were good hitters in college) might head out to left in the late innings when the lineup card has been almost used up. Rogan deals with extra problems in the form of head case players and one head case father (although one parent, actress Jane Seymour, was surprisingly down-to-earth and attitude-free when she visited Tucson to watch her son pitch).
I strongly recommend "Life Ain't the Same in the Pecos League" to readers who aren't just MLB fans, but baseball fans (and there IS a difference). Plenty of books have been written about the minors, including the indy leagues, but few bring the sense of adventure and endurance (as well as fun and frustration) as this one. If MLB is the "gold standard" of baseball, the Pecos League represents how the other half lives...that half that the vast majority find more relatable.
Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2022
Verified Purchase
It covers managing a low level independent league from the perspective of the author. A very interesting league and one of the lowest levels of professional baseball the Pecos league is neck and neck with the Empire league. As the book is about people playing either for a dream or just the love of the game I found it enjoyable and could not put it down. Had to get another copy for my father who as been a professional sports writer since the 80's cant wait to give him his copy.
"Still Pitching...Baseball, Dark Days and Salvation. The Story of The Fish," is the true life story of Rick Fisher. It is an inspiring story of a man who got off the canvas and persevered through much personal strife. It is a story of faith, never giving up and redemption with the great game of baseball as the one constant in his life. The book contains some truly wonderful stories, some not so wonderful stories and some really funny baseball stories making it a book you won't soon forget.
***The book launch event for "Still Pitching...Baseball, Dark Days and Salvation. The Story of The Fish" was held at Johnny's NY Pizza on S. Wadsworth Blvd on February 18th, 2014. It was a great event and thank you to all who came by and enjoyed great food and picked up books. It was a huge turnout and a lot of fun. Thanks John for hosting!
Great book signings were held at:
Johnny's New York Pizza in Lakewood.
Simpler Times Designs in Parker.
The National Ball Park Museum in Denver.
Coors Field (Private signing. I'm always happy to sign books at private events and functions!)
Fireside Books and Coffee, Englewood.
New Life Center, Lakewood, Colorado.
Breckenridge Brewery, Downtown Denver.
Blake Street Tavern, Downtown Denver
Here To Play, Denver.
The Fox Den, Fort Collins, Colorado.
Mike's Stadium Sports Cards, Aurora, Colorado.
TT T
Bill on the "Dennis Miller Show".... click > bill.dennismller.mp3
 "I like the cut of Billy's jib" l
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