When in Spokane, do as the Spokanites. Words to live by! And by the way, that’s pronounced “SPO-kin-ites” and Barbara and I were both there to enjoy wall the city and the area has to offer, last weekend. Well, not exactly all. We only had one full day and two nights, so we went after the highlights. It was much fun, and great to be back out there.

Even after I recently realized how close I was to finishing the principal writing of “Bats, Balls, & Burnouts” it still took me a long time do it, at least in my mind. When I got within a couple of chapters it was like, “I’m right there. I can finish tomorrow.” But, the finish line was like a mirage on the horizon. When I thought I was getting closer, it just moved away.

The NHRA Mello Yello tour is in Dallas this weekend, which means there are only three races left in the Countdown and in the season. I’m not in Dallas this weekend, but I am also nearing the finish line with “Bats, Balls, & Burnouts” and the coincidence startled me this morning. When I sat down at my desk in early January this year, I began to write a book. I really had no idea how to do that, nor did I have a clue how long it would take. And here we are, in mid-October. The NHRA season and my book are on the same pace.

Tyrone Brooks is everything The Perfect Game Foundation® aspires to provide to its fellows, but he did it all on his own. He followed his passion to land a valued internship with the Atlanta Braves after he graduated from the University of Maryland with a double-major. Within weeks, he was hired as a full-time employee. […]