The first professional ball and strike I ever called came via a hall of famer and makes for a remarkable memory; one I’ll share for the sake of anyone who thinks he (or she) wants to be a professional umpire. A break from high school basketball in today’s Press Pros inside feature story.

A decade after he coached Lehman to its best record in the new millenium, Mike Piatt is back on the sidelines at West Milton, enjoying the challenge of building, and eager to make up for lost time. Read more in the latest Press Pros profile feature.

His story is heart rending, uplifting, and one that gives rise to optimism in succeeding generations. All that, and Covington’s Trevor Miller is a pretty good basketball player, too. As a prelude to the coming basketball season, think ‘hoops’ and enjoy today’s inside feature on Press Pros.

Tyler Stephenson (above) and Nick Senzel have more in common than just being teammates on the Dayton Dragons. In successive years they’re the Reds’ #1 draft picks, playing under the expectation that they’re going to be stars…and soon! Read more about their journey so far in today’s Press Pros inside feature.

The skinny freshman who once came within an out of pitching a no-hit perfect game in the state tournament is learning to refine and define his game, now making a pitch at Marshall University to learn the business of baseball…and life. Read a good a baseball story in today’s Press Pros inside feature.

Since 1974 he’s taken the Reds listening market by storm, for good and bad. And for his insistence on telling the truth about the team he covers, he’s every bit the icon to be compared to the great Reds of all time. Read Greg Hoard’s inside feature on broadcaster Marty Brennaman in today’s Press Pros inside feature.

I worked for him for two years, and for his reputation and influence I marveled that he even bothered with baseball. An unforgettable tale of days in the minor leagues and reason to remember former Southern League president Billy Hitchcock (above). Today’s Press Pros inside feature.

Long retired from coaching, Lou Holtz still one of college football’s most popular personalities…because of what he says, but more, for the way he says it. Read more from my face to face meeting with a true football icon in today’s Press Pros encore feature from one year ago today.

From Over New Madison Way…Josh Sagester and the reigning champs in Division IV boys basketball lost a lot from last year’s Tri-Village title team, but are still winning…thanks to a combination of coach, community, and culture. Read more in today’s Press Pros inside feature.

Then, And Now…Ft. Recovery’s Brent Niekamp (above, right) applauds his players as they take possession of the 2015 Division VII championship football trophy. Five weeks removed, he talks about the irony of accomplishment with Indians football, and his expectations for the future. Read more in today’s inside feature.

After three decades at Russia, Paul Bremigan is starting over in Troy, settled in, and re-energized by a different challenge. Read more on his story in today’s Press Pros inside feature. (Press Pros Photo Courtesy of Lee Woolery)

We’re reminded this week that the worst underestimate of Week 1 playoffs…the worst prediction…was that we didn’t take the Tippecanoe Red Devils seriously enough against Piqua. But head coach Joel Derge is hardly bothered in today’s inside feature.

Reason To Smile…Woody Hayes, Earle Bruce, John Cooper and Jim Tressel may have been legends, but Urban Meyer is the first coach who’s taken every asset at Ohio State’s disposal and maximized it. Read more in today’s Press Pros inside feature.

His first win as coach at Troy left Matt Burgbacher with a broad smile and even bigger appetite for more…and the satisfaction that (for now) he’s the happiest guy on Staunton Road. Read more in today’s inside feature.