From his rural Ohio River roots, former Wheelersburg Pirate and Ohio State Buckeye, Josh Newman, is using what he’s learned along the way to make a difference in Penn State baseball.
Recent Profiles
Apr
27
One Man’s Plan To Rebuild Covington Baseball…..
Mired in the midst of a 1-13 varsity baseball season, a once great legacy of Covington baseball now seems light years away. But first year coach Andy Johnson (above, background) is committed, and content, to do whatever it takes…for however long it takes…to rebuild. Read more in today’s Press Pros inside feature.
Mar
20
At Peace With Whatever…Sarah Schulze Joins A New Team
After an athletic career that saw her achieve records and fame, Anna’s Sarah Schulze now focuses on a life of faith and servitude to a far greater coach and master. One of our most unique personal profiles in some time by columnist Greg Billing…in today’s Press Pros inside feature.
Feb
2
How You Remember People: And ‘Dad’ On His Birthday…
He’s been gone six years now, but every February 1st I remember my dad because of one of his most enjoyable winter habits. Read on as I share.
Jan
24
How The Other Half Plays: ‘Roots’, And Hoops With The Fairland Dragons
The most tradition-rich program to never have won a title? I say it’s the Fairland Dragons, in tiny Proctorville, Ohio, where coach Nathan Speed (above) has generated a new tradition of winning…and took his team to the Final Four last spring for the first time in 56 years. Read the story in the latest Press Pros inside feature.
Jan
14
Baseball Men I’ve Known…Memories And Old Leather!
A quick rummage through the closet reminded me of a life-long journey around baseball and men who have shaped my love for the game. Thankfully, after all these years I still have the evidence to prove where I’ve been.
Nov
6
Macy Puthoff, And As Big As The Moment…!
Senior commendations…New Bremen’s Paige Jones (#10, right) congratulates sophomore teammate Macy Puthoff after a “kill” in Saturday’s regional final win over Fort Loramie. Read more about Puthoff’s timely impact on the match in today’s Press Pros inside feature.
Nov
2
Remembering Floyd Cramer…And One Last Date!
A lot of people won’t know the name, but they smile every time they hear the signature hit of one of country and popular music’s favorite instrumentalists. For at least these few words, pianist Floyd Cramer deserves to be remembered.
Oct
16
The ‘Word’ Man: Hal McCoy, Beyond Hal McCoy
Wondering what you’re going to read now that the Reds are done and Hal McCoy has moved on to a richer baseball palette? Take a moment to consider the man beyond balls and strikes. Learn why it’s the way he writes about balls and strikes that makes him special. Something I’ll never hear the end of…in today’s inside feature.
Oct
15
Aaron Hughes, And The Happiest Guy At Lane And High….
Former Tipp Red Devil Aaron Hughes is making quite an impression as a Buckeye baseball walk-on, and his example of high character and hard work has helped him prove that dreams can, and do, come true. A feel-good read to start your week…in today’s Press Pros inside feature.
Sep
21
Hoard: When A Chicken Dance Is The High Point In A Season
They’ve done the typical; they’ve done the atypical. And still, the Bengals are bad. With nothing to compare with the league best franchises, it leaves little with which to elicit fan favor. They’re now the featured guests for Oktoberfest, and beer drinking!
Sep
11
Once Again, We Thank You, Marty
He’s signed through 2018. After that, he is not sure what he will do. He’s 75. The West Coast road trips are becoming more difficult for Marty Brenneman. And one day now we’ll turn on the game and he’ll be gone. It’ll be a hard day…for a lot of people. Read Greg Hoard’s latest inside feature.
Aug
17
Hal at Large: Why Gene Bennett Meant So Much To Me….
He was a guy who you hoped would call, one you hated to see leave if he came to visit. And for Reds fans everywhere, Gene Bennett was largely responsible for the success during the era of the Big Red Machine. He found talent, and one of the nicest people I ever met.
Jun
11
The Most Interesting Player In Area Division IV Basketball…?
At 6’8” and 275 pounds, Troy Christian’s James Anderson casts a long shadow wherever he goes. But will that shadow make him the area’s most interesting figure in Division IV basketball come December? Read more in today’s Pres Pros off-season feature on area athletes.
Jun
10
Thad, We Barely Knew You….
The manner in which Ohio State changed basketball coaches this week wasn’t smooth, and it left many with the impression that change for the sake of change is no change at all. That being the case, here’s some reasons why I’m going to miss Thad Matta.
May
5
When I Go Back To Hardman….
Anyone who ever played at Fountain Park for Jim Hardman CAN NEVER go back without reliving the best days of Piqua baseball – the best days of baseball in the lives of those fortunate to be in the right place, with the right man, at the right time.
Apr
20
Buckeyes Fall To NKU, But Canzone Continues To Hit…
After Sunday’s offensive outbreak in the series finale at Michigan State, the Buckeyes reverted to some familiar offensive habits in an 8-1 loss to NKU. On a brighter note, freshman Dominic Canzone continued his blistering hit streak that’s seen him rise statistically and in confidence. Read more in the latest Press Pros update.
Mar
31
Greg Hoard: How I Met…Stan “The Man”
There are times when fame holds no sanctuary, and when irony and awkwardness become as one and inseparable. That’s how I met my first true hall-of-famer face to face…the great Stan Musial! In one of the most popular baseball stories ever on Press Pros, an encore of this nostalgic story from columnist Greg Hoard.
Jan
22
A Baseball Story: How Steve Carlton Helped Me Get A Job In Baseball…
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.
Jan
3
Mike Piatt: Back On The Firing Line
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.
