Why Is Everyone Cheering?

By Lauri M. Gross (Indie author, 2026)

Pages (print): 159, including Index)

Genre: Non-fiction – Sports

Via: Author Request

Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book for honest review.

Don’t know a touchdown from a hoedown? An infield fly from a house fly? A “can of corn” from a cob of corn? Never fear. Why Is Everyone Cheering? is here to help you sort out the basics of three primo sports: Baseball, football, and basketball.

A confession: We’re not big fans of football or basketball. Except when the L.A. Lakers beat the Boston Celtics for the 1984–85 NBA Championship. Or when the Seahawks (finally) won the Super Bowl. But let’s not get picky here, okay?

So, hey. Our house is a baseball house. Like, Go Dodgers!! Three-peat, baby!

Wait. Where were we?

Oh yeah. Why Is Everyone Cheering?

Well. Even if you’re not a huge sports aficionado or one of those super annoying types who can spout batting averages, rushing yards, or most assists in a game over the last century, there’s a lot in this book that’s worthwhile. And it’s written so that your average non-sports expert can understand it and enjoy each sport a little more in the process. (Go, Ohtani!)

In terms of formatting, each chapter opens with Assumptions, a Recommended Movie List (Where is Field of Dreams? Did I miss that)? and some Basics about the Season. (Go, Betts!)

This book has five chapters. Chapter 1 is Baseball (of course). Chapter 2 is Football. Chapter 3 is Basketball. Chapter 4 is Quiz Answers. Chapter 5 is Bonus Material and Reflections. Each chapter includes a quiz on each sport (Kimber: Mom like, totally aced all of them. So there!)

The author offers readers fun and practical tools for seeing and understanding more of what’s happening in each sport. It also helps us understand more of what officials, sportscasters, and analysts (who are these people?) are saying. The text is uncomplicated. Uncluttered. It helps readers “gain knowledge and insight that will allow them to know what they are watching and enjoy the game.” Lots of photos, illustrations, charts and diagrams are included to help readers grasp key concepts. Each section/sport is well-organized and easy to follow. The text is broken down into small bite-sized pieces that are easy to digest. (Go, Freeman!)

We especially liked the way the author doesn‘t assume that every non-sports expert is a moron. Or the neighborhood fluff ball. Which are pretty much the same thing. Instead, she treats readers with respect while providing lots of insight and interesting tips, tidbits, and factoids about the who, what, when, where, why, and how of each sport. (Go, Yamamoto! What?)

For example, the football chapter explains how the game is played. How the ball is moved. How downs are awarded. Pick six. Scrambles. Special teams. Offense, defense. Pockets. Sacks. (Glad we’re not the only ones who don’t get “pass interference.”)

The chapter on basketball notes that much of the on-court action is a whole lot faster than football or baseball. Also, the site of the action – the basketball court – is much smaller than a baseball diamond or a football gridiron. Basketball players move quickly. So, Pay Attention, class! There’s also the endless squeak of sneakers on hardwood. No hats or helmet like in the other two sports. Basketball jerseys sporting city nicknames. Close encounters with fans!  “Small ball” and “bigs.” Alley-oop. Wing span. Lots more.

Thankfully, this isn’t one of those cram-your-head-full-of-sports-stats books. Nopers. Why Is Everyone Cheering? is as sunny as a lemonade stand on a summer day. Or a walk-off homer in the bottom of the ninth with the bases loaded.

Tip: Lighthearted, engaging, and down-to-earth, this book can easily be read in a single sitting. Or an afternoon. Don’t. Best to read it in chunks by sports season. Give it a chance to settle in and marinate. (We read this book shortly after the Dodgers clinched the NL West. So, Go Blue!)

Mom: Now if I can just find my official Dodgers rally cap.

Kimber (rolling her eyes): Mom, you only have like, a million.

Mom: C’mon, Kimster. You can never have too much Dodgers anything. Expect maybe that fourth Dodger dog…

Our Rating: 3.5