Baseball fans are a cerebral bunch, so it’s no surprise that each spring brings us a whole slew of new baseball books.

Among this year’s crop, The Baseball stands out for fans who appreciate the type of trivia that America’s pastime is so chockfull of. Bestselling author Zack Hample, in true Mark Kurlansky-style, offers a fascinating biography of one of our most culturally-significant objects. Like Kurlansky (Cod, Salt), Hample uses a single object—the humble baseball—as a springboard for delving into a wide range of subjects. Along the way, you’ll pick up a lot of useful trivia that you can later employ to impress even the most diehard fan.

Should you want a chance to catch your very own Major League baseball, Hample—a man who has snagged over 4,000 in his day—even reveals which ballpark seats will increase your odds.

If you’re looking to scratch your Opening Day itch with another title, check out our baseball NOOK Book collection here.

NOOK owners: go to shop, and search “Zack Hample” to download his fascinating books.