Little Baseball

Rhyming riddles introduce components of baseball in this kickoff to the Little Sports series ("Shaped like a house,/ but this one's flat./ You stand next to it/ when you bat"). Each answer is clearly printed with a picture on the back of each page. Bowles's illustrations are more soothing than action-packed: most are closeups on the answers to each riddle, joined by images of young players at bat, pitching, and awaiting their turn on the bench. If a little clunky in their meter, Herzog's rhymes should make this an entertaining guessing game for aspiring Little Leaguers. Also available: Little Football. All ages. (Mar.)