Chaucer’s Books will host local author Jim Buckley for an in-store talk with Santa Barbara Foresters manager Bill Pintard, one of the main subjects of Buckley’s latest book “ ’Ster it Up!: The Story of the Santa Barbara Foresters, America’s Most Successful Summer Baseball Team,” 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19.
“ ’STER IT UP!” includes a recap of every Santa Barbara Foresters season since the team’s founding in 1991. It tells the story of how a collection of college players from around the country is gathered each summer to transform from strangers into teammates, friends … and champions.
In the book, readers will meet heroes from yesterday and today, re-live championship moments — starting with the first in 2006 through the 10th in 2022; plus there is a full list of records and stats.
“ ’STER IT UP!” also has stories of the Hugs for Cubs cancer support program, and readers will learn about the inspirational founder Eric Pintard.
There are tales of the Rally Mummy; the big move to Pershing Park; insider stories from the dugout; and even a peek inside the ’Ster Bus.
The 330-page book includes first-person memories from more than 40 former players, coaches, and volunteers.
Buckley has helped Pintard with the Foresters almost since the start, producing the annual game program and acting as a PA and radio voice, as well as assisting with fundraising and management.
A resident of Santa Barbara’s Mesa area since 1993, Buckley is the author of more than 250 nonfiction books for kids, mostly sports, including 25 in The New York Times bestselling “Who Was …?” biography series.
He has written five books for the Baseball Hall of Fame, as well as titles for Scholastic, DK Publishing, and National Geographic Kids.
Pintard, who has lived in Carpinteria for more than 50 years, has been the manager and executive director of the Santa Barbara Foresters and the Hugs for Cubs since 1995.
In that time, he has led the team to an all-time record 10 National Baseball Congress World Series championships, 22 California Collegiate League titles, and more than 1,100 victories.
He is a member of the NBC World Series and Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Halls of Fame, and he has seen 70 former Foresters make the Majors. He is also a scout for the New York Yankees.