Explaining Substack & Baseball Buddha

"The role of a writer is not to say what we all can say, but what we are unable to say." – Anaïs Nin

I need to explain that I'm switching my content over to Substack for several reasons. Social media sites like X, Facebook, and Instagram have become so commercialized that it feels like we no longer have a presence among all the ads. The freedom we once had to be creative and express ourselves seems to have vanished, replaced by a bombardment of content that often has nothing to do with our interests. Besides that, the trolls and negativity are draining my creative energy, and I often find myself getting dragged into the mud.

I have various interests that I want to explore, including writing, photography, and baseball. These passions offer me an escape from the day-to-day grind of my work life. Even my Baseball Buddha website has become cumbersome. I was told about Substack, and it feels like a breath of fresh air. It doesn't have ads, and while it has a feed, every other post isn’t an ad. Yes, people still express their opinions, but it's a more focused and supportive environment.

On my Substack, I can write freely. I'm currently working on a story I've been thinking about for years. Every week, I post at least a paragraph, and more when inspiration strikes. This portion of my content is behind a paywall and can be found under the "Writings" tab.

The "Writing" tab doesn’t have much to do with baseball but is very personal to me and a work of FICTION. I'm nervous about sharing a lot of it, but for those who have paid for it, thank you. I have granted free access to some because I really want feedback. I post things as chapters, which may not be in the final order of the story. Writing is a process, and more refinement will come as I post the chapters. So please, provide feedback as the story develops; all of it is connected, even if it might seem confusing at times.

The remaining content is in my "Clicks" tab, where I post about my photography. I’m exploring baseball fan photography, similar to street photography but at baseball games, combining two of my passions.

Another tab I have is "Ballpark Confidential," where I research and write about things within baseball that interest me. Pete Rose, for example, has been a big part of this. For years, he's been an enigma to me, and I'm very interested in understanding him and his personality on a psychological level. He was a boyhood idol of sorts.

I also have my "Baseball Hall of Fame" series called "Cooperstown Confidential," where I explain eligibility and the process, as many people are confused about how one gets inducted. This might be boring to most, but it's fascinating to me, and I aim to help others understand it too.

Additionally, I post memories from my Baseball in America Tour from 2014, which is fun to reminisce about since it has been over ten years since that journey. Another tab is "People, Moments, and More," where I share stories of people I admire, funny stories, or updates like this one.

Thank you for joining me on this journey, and I look forward to sharing more with you on Substack.

Joining Substack is easy. Follow these simple steps to get started:

1. Visit the Substack Website: Head over to Substack.com to begin.

2. Sign Up: Click on the “Get Started” or “Sign Up” button. You can sign up with your email address or use your Google account for a quicker process.

3. Explore Substack: Once you’ve signed up, take some time to explore. You can discover various writers and topics that interest you. Use the search bar to find specific content or browse through the recommendations.

4. Subscribe to Newsletters: Find newsletters that resonate with you and subscribe. Many writers offer free content, while others may have premium subscriptions for exclusive content. You can choose what fits your interests and budget.

5. Start Your Own Newsletter: If you’re feeling inspired, you can start your own newsletter. Click on the “Create” button, and Substack will guide you through setting up your publication. It’s easy to customize and share your unique voice with the world.