The Saturday Journal: Never Written (and I need your help)

tathelmillerwriter
May 30
4 min read

We were closing in on three hours of play under a full moon--two summer collegiate teams--battling until the end. It was a pre-season game--but to be seated here--watching--cheering on these young men--one team with only two practices prior to this game--to true baseball fans--this intense game was as exciting as if we were sitting under the brightest lights in the biggest stadium--witnessing Major League play.

Sitting in the bleachers, my mind drifted to memories of my own as a former high school sports journalist--I spent a lot of time on this very field--in the dugouts--on the sidelines--watching some of the most talented high school players--working to capture the perfect photo--carefully taking games notes--all in hopes of sharing a story worthy of the players who played, and the coaches who coached and to honor the sport itself. Those memories seem like a lifetime ago, and I guess in many ways they are.

Sadly, local newspapers have changed greatly on how local sports' stories are included on their pages.

The crack of the bat and the ball lifted and lifted--as in the words of baseball's greatest announcers--"Going, Going, Gone!" And I said, kinda out loud--kinda to myself---after about the 10th homerun was recorded--'If I was writing this story--I would talk about the centerfield wall--how there seemed to be a magnet drawing the baseball--hit after hit over the fence on this game night.'

And I remember the words I read not too many days ago that left me speechless. I could not move forward in the story--in the book. I could not move backwards. I simply could not move.

Sports journalist, editor, author, and NYU professor Jane McManus wrote in the introduction of The Year's Best Sports Writing 2024, a book that includes several stories about women in sports--"For many years of my career, the athletes who played in these women's leagues were some of the best stories never written."

Some of the Best Stories Never Written.

Never. Written.

And my heart hurt for the many stories--never written--never recorded for others to read--to learn--to enjoy.

At the end of any game, the scoreboard--a scorecard--a blurb on social media--maybe even a sentence or two taking up space in a local paper--what you are seeing--reading is only a very limited part of the story--like this particular game went ten innings--a tiebreaker. A Grand Slam. A record night of home runs in centerfield. And when the last out was recorded, the visiting team got back on the bus around midnight and rode home--celebrating their first win of the season.

But what was never written about this game story was this--an alumni walked onto to a field he knew well--where he played four years of high school baseball and after that--coached a few years as the assistant coach for this same summer team--now his competitors. And as his new role as head coach of a different summer team--on this game night he stood in the batter's box opposite his former coach--former colleague--the mandatory meeting with the umpires before the start of the game.

They shook hands as more than just opponents. They smiled and walking back to their respective dugouts--the alumni, he turned and looked across the field--to his former dugout and he saw faces of former players and coaches, and teammates and lifetime friends. And this time it was strange at first--his heels dug in on different dirt--this time on unfamiliar territory--this time in the visitors' dugout--But the "different" it didn't matter, because to him--the lights--the diamond--the field--the fans--his family in the stands--this place--these people--and a lifetime of simply loving the game--would always be--a homecoming.

July of this year, The Saturday Journal will turn three. I cannot begin nor will I try to express in words my gratitude for your support and encouragement. If it wasn't for you--I would have quit this thing of writing and storytelling--many, many times.

With much prayer and thought, I have been working on ideas to expand and grow The Saturday Journal and provide ways to share with readers more inspirational and encouraging stories along with tools in which you can share your own story or a friend or family member's story. And, that's all I can say right now--because--honestly I don't know which direction it will go first--and I still have a lot of work to do before I can share more--including updating and renaming the website.

One thing will stay the same, The Saturday Journal's bi-weekly/weekly blog story--every Saturday--Lord willing.

For now, I am gathering stories and writing--committed to sharing and honoring others through story--stories often times overlooked. And here's where I need your help.....first and most importantly--I ask for your prayers. And your stories--do you have a story idea to share? Know someone who has an inspirational story--a story that could offer encouragement to others? Stories of someone whose kindness or work is making a difference? This person can be young, old--any age--maybe a family member or someone in your past who you would like to honor or remember. Or it could be a group or organization and their work is making a difference in a big way--in a quiet manner.

You can email me at the email below or you can complete a questionnaire (coming soon) on the website.

My heart is inditing a good matter:

I speak of things which I have made touching the king:

my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

Psalm 45:1

I am grateful for each of you--more than you will ever know.

And I pray, the stories shared in this space will encourage you--

bring a smile or remembrance, and bless you in some small way.

If you would like to have The Saturday Journal,

occasional newsletters and stories come straight to your email box,

please subscribe at

http://www.tathelmiller.com