This pleasantly short read provides one with an account of how the author arranged to pitch to the lineups at the 1958 MLB All-Star game, to be played at the great Yankee Stadium, and to write an article about the experience to feature in Sports Illustrated.

Needless to say it did not go smoothly.

Plimpton was the pioneer of what became known as participatory journalism, whereby the author would write a piece having dived into the relevant profession in order to experience it personally. “Out of My League” was his first such foray.

Plimpton’s entertaining account of his MLB adventure is now a full 50 years old. A baseball fan with familiarity of the players from this era would enjoy it; somebody without that knowledge less so.