The Write Team Podcast

Today's episode of The Write Team Daily follows the bold launch of the Lewis and Clark Expedition on May 14, 1804, as Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and the Corps of Discovery set out to explore the vast Louisiana Purchase and open the American frontier to maps, commerce, and settlement. Their dangerous journey across rivers, plains, and mountains would forever shape the future of the United Sta...

Championship season has arrived at East Texas Baptist University. ⚾🥎🔥 On this special edition of From The Press Box, we’re joined by Ryan Erwin, Senior Vice President for Campus Life and Director of Athletics at ETBU. As the university prepares to host NCAA Division III Regionals in both baseball and softball, Ryan shares a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build a nationally respected...

A loaded episode from the Piney Woods of East Texas. 🎙️🔥 On this edition of From The Press Box, David and Matt are joined by Ryan Erwin, athletic director at East Texas Baptist University, to discuss hosting NCAA Regionals in both baseball and softball. ⚾🥎 ETBU Spotlight: Behind the scenes of hosting NCAA postseason events Growth of ETBU athletics and facility upgrades Building a Christ-centere...

Today's episode of The Write Team Daily explores the difficult beginnings of England’s first permanent settlement in North America with the founding of Jamestown on May 13, 1607. Battling disease, starvation, drought, and overwhelming uncertainty, the settlers along the James River fought to survive against impossible odds—yet their perseverance forever changed the course of history in the New Wor...

The Hallsville Ladycats are one win away from returning to the state semifinals. 🥎🔥 On this special edition of From The Press Box, David Weaver visits with Kayla Whatley, head coach of the Hallsville Ladycats, as Hallsville prepares for a huge regional final showdown against Midlothian Heritage. 🥎 In this interview: Preparing for a one-game regional final Navigating playoff strategy and pitchin...

Baseball makes absolutely no sense sometimes—and that’s what makes it great. ⚾🔥 On this episode of From The Press Box, we break down the surprising series win by the Texas Rangers over the red-hot Chicago Cubs and what it could mean moving forward. ⚾ Rangers vs. Cubs: Texas shuts out Chicago twice Huge pitching performances from Jack Leiter and Jacob deGrom Why the Rangers still remain difficul...

Today's episode of The Write Team Daily examines the cost of fame and notoriety with the tragic climax of "The Crime of the Century" on May 12, 1932. The heartbreaking discovery of the body of Charles Lindbergh Jr. forever changed the life of America’s most famous aviator and led to major changes in federal kidnapping laws. Then, revisit the historic 1926 flight of the Norge over the North Pole, t...

The NBA Playoffs are heating up—and so are the storylines. 🏀🔥 On this episode of From The Press Box, we break down the biggest developments across the NBA postseason and offseason headlines. ⚡ Western Conference: Oklahoma City Thunder overwhelming the Los Angeles Lakers Why this series says more about OKC than LeBron James Minnesota Timberwolves vs. San Antonio Spurs turns physical after the Vi...

On this episode of From The Press Box, we cover everything from ETBU postseason excitement to NBA playoff drama and a huge weekend for the Texas Rangers. 🥎⚾ ETBU & Local Playoffs: East Texas Baptist Tigers softball wins the ASC Tournament Regional hosting hopes for both baseball and softball Hallsville softball one win away from state tournament East Texas baseball playoff matchups across mu...

On May 11, 1960, Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann had been hiding comfortably in Argentina, trying to outrun justice. But on this date, his murderous past finally caught up to him in the form of an Israeli Mossad unit that had never forgotten the horrors of the Holocaust.  More history from May 11 includes a giant wall of dust that destroyed what was left of the American plains in the midst of the...

Explore the defining moments of May 10 on this episode of Write Team Daily. We begin with the debut of Paul Harvey’s legendary radio feature The Rest of the Story in 1976, a storytelling phenomenon that captivated generations with surprise endings and unforgettable moments. Then, revisit the driving of the Golden Spike connecting America by rail, the installation of the first telephone in the Whit...

Today's episode of The Write Team Daily looks back at the birth of Mother's Day, when a grassroots effort of honor and remembrance led to one of the most cherished days every year in America. Did you know that Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West show was a hit overseas as well? Where were you when you first visited Camp Crystal Lake and screamed throughout Friday the 13th? May 9 was also a day when the...

Explore the defining moments of May 8 on this episode of The Write Team Daily. On May 8,1945, Nazi Germany formally surrendered and World War II in Europe finally came to an end after years of devastation and sacrifice. Then, revisit Hernando de Soto’s crossing of the Mississippi River (1541), the publication of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales (1835), and the humble beginnings of Little Caes...

Explore the defining moments of May 7 on this episode of The Write Team Daily. When a German torpedo sank the RMS Lusitania on May 7, 1915, it changed the course of what would be known at the time as The Great War. Before the ocean liner had settled on the ocean floor -- along with nearly 1,200 victims, mostly civilians -- public opinion completely changed and a nation braced to enter the conflict...

Championship softball returns to Marshall. 🥎🏆 On this special edition of From The Press Box, David and Matt are joined by Janae Shirley, head coach of the East Texas Baptist Tigers, as ETBU prepares to host the American Southwest Conference Tournament. 🔥 In this interview: ETBU’s 34–4 season and postseason outlook Developing a young roster with freshman contributors Building around speed, defen...

The Savannah Bananas packed Kyle Field with more than 100,000 fans… but is Banana Ball changing baseball for the better? ⚾🍌 On this episode of From The Press Box, David and Matt dive into one of the biggest entertainment phenomena in sports. 🎪 Topics include: The Bananas’ rise from summer league baseball to national sensation Why crowds are flocking to Banana Ball Comparisons to the Harlem Glob...

Explore the defining moments of May 6 on this episode of The Write Team Daily. We begin with the tragic Hindenburg disaster of 1937, when the world’s largest airship burst into flames in a shocking moment that ended the era of passenger air travel by dirigible. Then, revisit Babe Ruth’s first career home run (1915), the rise of Joseph Stalin as Soviet Premier (1941), and the historic achievement o...

Explore the defining moments of May 5 on this episode of Write Team Daily. We begin with the tragic Bay View Massacre of 1886, where workers striking for an eight-hour workday were met with deadly force—marking a pivotal moment in American labor history. Then, revisit the opening of Carnegie Hall (1891), the financial crisis known as the Panic of 1893, and the historic flight of Alan Shepard (1961...

Championship culture in East Texas. ⚾🏆 On this special edition of From The Press Box, we sit down with Jared Hood, head coach of the East Texas Baptist Tigers, fresh off his second consecutive American Southwest Conference Championship. Coach Hood shares the journey of transforming ETBU baseball from a rebuilding program into a consistent contender. 🎯 In this interview: Building a winning cultu...

A little bit of everything from the Pineywoods of East Texas. 🎙️🏈⚾🏀 On this episode of From The Press Box, Matt Paul and David Weaver discuss, debate, and even rant about everything sports including local spring playoff action, NBA postseason fallout, college baseball races, and a passionate take on the Texas Rangers. ⚾ East Texas Playoffs: Harleton bounces back in dominant fashion Hallsville...

Explore the defining moments of May 4 on this episode of Write Team Daily. We begin with the groundbreaking debut of Thomas Edison’s phonograph (1878), the invention that forever changed how the world captures and preserves sound. Then, revisit the start of construction on the Panama Canal (1904), the imprisonment of Al Capone (1932), and the tragic Kent State shootings (1970)—a moment that shocke...

Explore the defining moments of May 3 on this episode of Write Team Daily. We begin with the devastating 1999 Oklahoma tornado outbreak, featuring one of the most powerful tornadoes ever recorded, leaving a path of destruction—and a story of resilience—in its wake. Then, revisit the founding of the NCAA (1910), the tragic sinking of the SS Cap Arcona in 1945, and the first-ever spam email sent in...

A major high school sports story raises bigger questions. 🏈⚾ On this episode of From The Press Box, we break down the shocking disqualification of Grapevine baseball—just as the playoffs began—due to an ineligible player. 📉 What happened: Defending state champions ruled ineligible Self-reported violation leads to forfeited season Playoff bracket thrown into complete disarray 💭 The bigger discu...

Explore the defining moments of May 2 on this episode of The Write Team Daily. We begin with the dramatic 2011 raid that killed Osama bin Laden, bringing a pivotal moment in the fight against terrorism nearly a decade after 9/11. Then, revisit the day Lou Gehrig’s legendary 2,130-game streak ended (1939), and the historic surrender of Berlin in 1945, signaling the collapse of Nazi Germany in World...

The NBA Playoffs are hitting another level. 🏀🔥 On this episode of From The Press Box, we break down a wild stretch across the NBA postseason. 🔥 Headliners: New York Knicks deliver a stunning blowout over the Atlanta Hawks Minnesota Timberwolves eliminate the Denver Nuggets despite major injuries Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers heads to Game 7 📊 Big questions: What went wrong for Denver—a...