Columns
Family, baseball, writing and life’s oddities, from a former newspaperman. 28 columns since 2022.
2026
2025
A Tribute to ‘Fireball’
To me, his best trait was envisioning extraordinary things in ordinary people. As irony would have it, he was too busy being the dad he never had to see it in himself.
A Rich Irish Friendship
I fell asleep during this long day’s journey into night and didn’t wake until I heard that beautiful Irish accent. It was Jack at near the stroke of midnight assuring me once again that there was nothing to worry about.
2023
A Holiday Homecoming
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Waino’s KO win spells redemption
Cardinal pitcher, catcher handle adversity in winning style.
Give Them the Real You
High school teacher’s message paves way for writer’s success.
Kites and Flights on Dad’s Day
Billheitland.com Kite running 101 I don’t remember much about the shape or size of the kite; whether it was triangular, or box shaped, store bought or made from scratch. What I do remember is being instructed by Dad to place the kite several yards from where I planned my takeoff, give myself plenty
Dream goes on a guilt trip?
Dream climbs into reality
St. Paddy’s Day traditions
St. Patrick’s Day goes beyond green beer and parades. It reminds this writer of storytelling and a day set aside for running.
The art of writing: Want to dance?
This collection of short stories is getting five=star reviews on Amazon and Goodreads.
Ruby Bridges: Civil Rights Icon
Ruby’s courage inspired author’s short story How much love would a family have to pour into the heart of a six-year-old child to offset the onslaught of hatred she would face simply for wanting to learn at an all-white school? Ruby Bridges knows. Ruby’s tested on her ability to c
2022
Praying for peace on Ukrainian soil
I’m reminded of a phrase used often during the winter holidays: Peace on Earth, good will toward mankind. Both peace and good will were stolen from Ukrainians in brutal fashion, forcing them into a war they never wanted. Instead of basking in the glow of bright lights, inhaling t
Jogger finds poetry in early morning fog
Jogging along the perimeter of Creve Coeur Lake, I noticed how the early morning fog seemed to cling to the water. Or was it that the lake didn’t want to let go? Either way it pushed the gray out of a wintry day, suggesting companionship comes in various shapes and sizes, especially
Talent can’t live on dreams alone
There’s this notion that you can turn dreams into reality if you just put the talent you were born with to work. Take the plunge. Never give up on chasing your dreams, they say. Hah! That in itself is a dream. It takes opportunity. How else is talent going to grow? Someone has to…
A bad keystroke can kill you
Message shrouded in mystery A sympathy card mailed from my doctor’s office left me wondering if I was the last to learn of a family tragedy. The familiar condolence, “sorry for your loss,” is only offered when a death occurs. But whose? And why didn’t anyone tell me? Investigation b
Wondering about the American soul
A poignant memory A stranger’s kind gesture happened several decades ago, yet still remains vivid in my memory. I was heading back to my hometown of St. Louis for Thanksgiving after taking a sports writing job 100 miles south in Cape Girardeau, Mo. A much-needed homecoming Seeing fa
Baseball magic at its best in playoffs
I love the game of baseball, so it should come as no surprise that I become a circus-comes-to-town kid on the eve of the playoffs. Throughout the decades that I’ve been both a sportswriter and fan, the game has always had this magical appeal.
Stark serenity
Nature writes its own poetry Nature carries its own silent swath of poetry. It rises early, quickly becoming embedded in one’s consciousness. Here comes the sun The soft gray filament of early morning light stirs, then selects a ribbon of amber and indigo to dress up the horizon. Th
Ban my books, please!
If you’re not holding a winning lottery ticket and have scant funds to promote your book, having it banned might be just as good as a Powerball winner.
Snatching victory from the jaws of Lenny
As soon as I realized I must have left my choppers somewhere in the house, I knew this would be a race against time with only one winner – me or Lenny.
Voting becomes a contact sport
Since they weren’t talking, I thought I should speak up. ‘It all worked out. Voting is serious enough to warrant getting some skin in the game. So why not today?”
Summer memories: Fact or Fiction
If you’ve lived in the Midwest most of your life, as I have, you expect several weeks to feel like a slow roasting furnace. You can deal with the discomfort mindful that fall is right around the corner. I’ve always enjoyed the change of seasons. But these days, with temps soaring at
A Summer Interlude soothes the soul
Observing the orbit of a butterfly reminded me that the smallest thing can loom large on any given day. I was traversing a path at a local park when I noticed an orange and black butterfly, its wings outlined artfully with white dots. I continued to follow its path as it floated eff
The importance of sustaining friendships
Once you hear that familiar “remember when we…”, the doubt vanishes and somehow the time gaps close enough to inspire your embellished take on the story. The tales are flowing with such warmth and spirited banter, it feels like you’re sitting in someone’s living room. You can’t believe it’s been thr
The path to creating three books
Drawing from life’s experiences The early months of my retirement were anything but relaxing. The advent of Covid-19 meant a lengthy sequestering period during which I developed a severe case of anxiety. I couldn’t sleep and felt an overwhelming sense of hopelessness. I wanted despe
When a father becomes a dad
I sometimes think of what makes a father a dad. It’s when he feels grateful to be responsible for the welfare of his children. When he works hard at a job he doesn’t necessarily love because the promotion means his kids can do more than just dream of accomplishing something notewort
Adversity’s Early Light
Short stories that translate into hope Adversity can teach as well as torment. It forces us to become introspective. It tests the length and breadth of our will, our inventive spirit, and our drive to thrive. It is the clay that shapes character. With the hope of illuminating a thoughtful way forwar
Chance Evers: A search for hidden treasures
Brothers come to terms with familial rift Perry Ellis’s life looks like a complex jigsaw puzzle with pieces scattered about and no clear picture of how to return to the contentment he enjoyed early in life. Perry assumes an alias (Chance Evers) to reinvent himself and seek atonement for a recent tra