The Write Team Podcast

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...

We've got a packed episode on a rainy day in the Pineywoods of East Texas. 🎙️🌧️ Today From The Press Box, we cover everything from local playoff action to major national storylines. ⚾ East Texas Playoffs: High school baseball & softball series updates Hallsville, Harleton, Tatum, and more Weather shaking up postseason schedules 🏀 NBA Playoffs: Multiple Game 7 scenarios on the horizon Boston...

Step into the defining moments of May 1 on this episode of The Write Team Daily. We begin with the exposure of the Whiskey Ring scandal of 1875, a massive corruption scheme that reached deep into the U.S. government and tested the leadership of President Ulysses S. Grant. Then, explore the founding of the Alamo (1718), the debut of Batman in Detective Comics #27 (1939), and the cultural phenomenon...

A shocking story with bigger implications for college sports. 🏈⚠️ On this episode of From The Press Box, we break down the developing situation involving Brendan Sorsby and what it means for Texas Tech Red Raiders. 📉 The situation: Sorsby enters rehab for a gambling addiction Reports of betting activity dating back to his college career Potential NCAA eligibility consequences 💭 Bigger questions...

Is March Madness losing its magic? 🏀🤔 On this episode of From The Press Box, we dive into the growing controversy around NCAA Tournament expansion—and whether it’s helping or hurting the game. 🎯 Key discussion points: Why proposed expansion could hurt smaller schools The impact of more play-in games on 16 seeds How power conferences like the SEC and Big Ten could benefit Why mediocrity may be r...

Explore the powerful moments of April 30 in this episode of Write Team Daily. We begin with the dramatic Fall of Saigon in 1975, marking the end of the Vietnam War as helicopters evacuated the last Americans and North Vietnamese forces took the city. Then, revisit George Washington’s first presidential inauguration (1789), the creation of the ice cream cone (1904), and the historic release of the...

The NBA Playoffs are heating up—and so is the controversy. 🏀🔥 On this episode of From The Press Box, we break down key playoff matchups across the NBA and the biggest storylines shaping the postseason. 🔥 Playoff Highlights: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets and the pressure of closing out a series Orlando Magic pushing a potential upset over the Detroit Pistons Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota...

A packed show from the Pineywoods of East Texas! 🎙️🔥 On this episode of From The Press Box, we break down the biggest stories across college sports, the NFL, and local athletics. 🏀 College Basketball: NCAA Tournament expansion debate heats up Why more teams could hurt the product What it means for mid-majors and blue bloods 🏈 NFL & College Football: Dallas Cowboys contract drama continues T...

Step into the defining moments of April 29 on this episode of Write Team Daily. We begin with the arrest of German pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer in 1943, a man who stood boldly against Nazi tyranny and paid the price for his faith. Then, explore the release of Roget’s Thesaurus (1852), the debut of ABC’s Wide World of Sports (1961), and the end of an era as Oldsmobile built its final car in 2004. Plu...

A powerful reminder to close the show. 🙏 In today’s Final Word, we reflect on Matthew 5:14 — “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.” Drawing from Genesis and the creation of light, we explore three key properties of light and what they mean for our daily walk: Reflection — letting others see Christ through us Refraction — how light can change direction… and lives Spee...

Hope is alive in Dallas… again. 😅 On this episode of From The Press Box on Write Team Daily, we break down the aftermath of the NFL Draft and why the Dallas Cowboys may have delivered one of their strongest draft classes in years. From defensive upgrades to late-round uncertainty, we dive into: Why Cowboys fans are feeling optimistic (for now) The reality of Rounds 4–7 being a “crapshoot” The imp...

Spring football is underway in East Texas. 🏈 On this episode of From The Press Box, we’re joined by Marshall Mavericks AD and head coach Jason Hammett to talk all things spring ball and the road ahead for Marshall football. We dive into: Why spring practice is critical for development Building physicality at the line of scrimmage Replacing key starters and evaluating new talent The importance of...

Explore some defining, historical moments of April 28 in this episode of Write Team Daily. We begin with the dramatic Mutiny on the HMS Bounty (1789), where Fletcher Christian led a rebellion that cast Captain William Bligh adrift—sparking one of history’s most famous maritime stories. Then, step into the Wild West with Billy the Kid’s daring jailbreak, witness the early days of television in 1928...

The NBA Playoffs are delivering drama, chaos… and heartbreak. 🏀🔥 On this episode of From The Press Box on Write Team Daily, we break down a wild weekend across the NBA postseason. 💥 Headlining the show: The Houston Rockets meltdown vs. the Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James adds another legendary moment with a clutch game-tying three Questions surrounding Kevin Durant and his legacy 📊 Around the...

Are the Texas Rangers stuck in neutral? ⚾😬 On this episode of From The Press Box on Write Team Daily, we dive into the frustrating reality facing the Texas Rangers—a team that looks eerily similar to last year’s .500 squad. 📊 The big question: Are the Rangers just an “even Steven” team… again? We break down: Why a 14–14 start feels all too familiar The lack of offensive improvement despite offs...