There's No Crying in Baseball

Name: There's No Crying in Baseball
ISBN: 9781434222268

For the child learning to navigate tough emotions in competitive play, this book explores perseverance and the importance of teamwork beyond just winning.

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About This Book

A parent might reach for this book when their child is struggling with frustration and disappointment in sports or other competitive activities. "There's No Crying in Baseball" follows Mary, a young girl who loves the game but gets overwhelmed by anger when she makes a mistake. The story gently explores how she learns to manage her big feelings with help from her coach and older brother. It's an excellent early chapter book for ages 7-10 that normalizes feeling upset while modeling resilience and good sportsmanship. It effectively shifts the focus from winning to the importance of being a supportive teammate and trying your best.

Sports Resilience & Perseverance Teamwork & Collaboration Peer Pressure Friendship & Social Self-Confidence & Identity First Day Family & Siblings

What Parents Should Know

Sensitive Topics

The book's primary focus is on emotional regulation (anger, frustration, disappointment). The approach is direct, secular, and behavioral. It frames these feelings as normal but shows the negative consequences of uncontrolled outbursts and offers constructive strategies for managing them. The resolution is hopeful and realistic, emphasizing that changing your attitude takes practice, just like a physical skill.

Ideal Reader

This book is for a 7 to 9-year-old who is intensely passionate about an activity but melts down when they make a mistake or lose. It's for the child who tends toward perfectionism and struggles to separate their self-worth from their performance, especially in a public or team setting.