Joe Battaglia, a sports media titan with a 20-year track record of driving growth and engagement, has pivoted to entrepreneurship with the launch of a unique children’s book, The ABC’s of Track & Field: A Fast Start For Future Runners, Jumpers & Throwers. This debut children’s book, targeting ages 3–and-up, fuses early literacy with the dynamic world of track and field, carving out a unique niche in the $4.8 billion children’s book market.
With vibrant illustrations and rhythmic prose, the book introduces young readers to the alphabet through the introduction of legendary athletes like Usain Bolt and Babe Didrickson-Zaharias, a perfect blend of learning and inspiration aimed at fostering an early love for both the sport and the process of education itself.
Joe’s deep connection to track and field is not just a result of his extensive career in sports media but also a lifelong passion for athletics. His story began in childhood, watching athletes push the limits of physical endurance and achieving greatness.
Inspired by these athletes’ resilience, Joe wrote The ABC’s of Track & Field as a tribute to his daughter, Giselda, who shared his enthusiasm for the sport but struggled to find a book that bridged early learning with athletics. This personal motivation, rooted in a desire to share the values of perseverance, teamwork, and ambition, laid the foundation for the book.
Battaglia’s transition from sports media to publishing is a masterclass in leveraging expertise for entrepreneurial impact. As Vice President of Editorial at FloSports, he spearheaded a 181% surge in MileSplit subscriptions and a 156% increase in page views, and his passion for storytelling earned him second place in the International Sports Media Association (AIPS) Sports Media Awards for his mini-documentary on Olympic long jumper Bob Beamon. At NBC Olympics, he earned two Sports Emmy Awards and while at Universal Sports, he was the first digital media recipient of the prestigious Jesse Abramson Award for Excellence in Track and Field Journalism.
His ability to scale platforms through compelling storytelling now fuels The ABC’s of Track & Field, a project born from a personal pain point: the lack of children’s books merging athletics with early learning. Inspired by his daughter Giselda’s love for track and field, Battaglia identified a gap in the market for educational tools that double as motivational resources for young athletes.
“This isn’t just a book—it’s a movement to inspire the next generation of leaders through sports and literacy,” Battaglia said. His credentials, including certifications from Harvard, Cornell, Wharton, NYU, and Oxford, and authorship of University of Southern California – An Olympic Heritage 1904-2012, lend credibility to his vision of using sports as a vehicle for education.
What sets The ABC’s of Track & Field apart is its seamless integration of literacy and athletic values. Unlike traditional alphabet books, it embeds lessons on grit and perseverance within stories of track and field icons, appealing to parents, educators, and coaches seeking to instill life skills in young children. The book’s vivid rhymes and bold illustrations create an immersive experience, positioning it as both a classroom resource and a bedtime favorite.
Battaglia’s insider perspective as a track and field advocate gives the book an authentic edge. By highlighting diverse athletes and their achievements, it resonates with today’s demand for inclusive, purpose-driven content. Early reviews on Amazon praise its ability to engage young readers while sparking conversations about ambition and teamwork.
With the global children’s book market projected to grow at a 4.5% CAGR through 2030, The ABC’s of Track & Field taps into a lucrative segment: educational books with crossover appeal. Its dual focus on literacy and sports aligns with trends in parental spending, as 78% of U.S. parents prioritize books that teach values alongside academics, per a 2024 Scholastic survey. Battaglia’s established network in sports media and youth programs provides a ready-made distribution channel, from schools to athletic clubs.
The book’s potential extends beyond print. Battaglia hints at plans for digital adaptations, interactive apps, and a series expanding to other sports, signaling a scalable brand. His experience fostering community engagement at FloSports—where he grew youth program participation by 40%—equips him to build a loyal audience for this venture.
Battaglia’s journey underscores a key lesson for entrepreneurs: passion, paired with expertise, can disrupt even saturated markets. By addressing a personal need, he’s created a product with universal appeal, backed by his proven ability to execute. “This book is about more than letters,” Battaglia explains. “It’s about teaching kids to chase their potential, on the track and in life.”
For more information about The ABC’s of Track & Field and to purchase the book, visit the official website at The ABC’s of Track & Field.
To connect with Joe Battaglia and learn more about his journey, visit his social media profiles:
LinkedIn
X (formerly Twitter)
Facebook
Instagram
For reviews and additional information, visit Amazon – The ABC’s of Track & Field.