Bits & Pieces-post Easter edition: year one of writing, McNary grad joins OSU hoops
An overview of where this platform is headed, Nate Meithof as a Beav
April is always a special month for me. I was born in April (see Pete Rose for the day), and I started this writing platform a year ago this month. I am at a cross roads in some ways in examining the growth in my writing and the readership. So this “column” will focus a bit on the present circumstances, while still providing some local sports that you all deserve.
When I began this literary experiment, I wasn’t sure what to expect—as I said in an early status check on my writing. What has been evident is the steady growth of readership over the last twelve months.
My very first story in April of 2022 about the retirement of San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey---who had a short stay with the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes—yielded 75 readers. That was it. As I explained in an earlier self-examination, it was to be expected while people learned about the site.
Death (sadly) bolstered reader totals with the deaths of a former official in Millard Bates (2,700—plus), ex-South Salem baseball coach Mike Doran (1,000-plus) and others pushed the numbers artificially higher. The average readership number, however, was somewhere between 200-300 people.
But the increase, numbers-wise became apparent over the weeks. Helped by some high interest features like Lara Tiffin becoming Salem-Keizer’s Coordinator of Athletics and Activities, and the move of ex-West Salem footballer Holden Whipple to the University of Oregon to play for the Ducks seemed to add both readers and new, free subscribers. Not every feature was a big winner, but readership average in July moved into the 300-400 person range.
The summer months are always hit and miss when it comes to local sports, and the same thing applied to the readership, but it was still overall around the 300-400 person range.
Then, prep football arrived in late August.
The annual video preview of local league teams—which I post on youtube—continued. That feature garnered nearly 800 readers/viewers directly on the Substack site. And it helped build momentum in numbers with parents adding themselves to the free subscription list.
Stories bolstered by photos from local parents Rebekah Wilhite and Laura Ellison jumped reader totals to an average of 400 to 500 readers.
It was a big deal. And it also drew a few more comments from readers—which I value highly.
Also shoe-horned into this past fall’s stories was the loss of longtime North Salem assistant football coach Ken Slack, who taught and coached at North for better than 40 years. His departure from this world generated better than 5,400 readers—a stunning total, but reflective of Kenny’s impact on so many people.
And in the same breath in September, good news from former Sprague football coach Robin Hill—who has put his cancer into remission after a battle of nearly two years.
Ex-McNary basketball Phil Nelson’s mysterious death also generated similar numbers—more than 4,800 views were recorded. It was a difficult story to write, as facts were hard to nail down and the family was understandably reluctant to talk about it. But they did share, and you did read.
There were other stories that were intriguing features. Longtime major leaguer Jed Lowrie—who played his high school ball at North Salem, opened up about his post career options and gave me a long story about a potential retirement to relay to the world. His comments generated lots of buzz—and some new subscriptions. There was even a Seattle Mariners fan who caught Jed’s last home run, and reached out to see if he would like the ball and its documentation in exchange for an autographed ball. Eventually, they worked it all out, as I found out after Jed formally announced his retirement early in 2023. I was fortunate to have former North coach Chris Lee as a contact for this story. It was great to chat with a man who was a senior my first year as an English teacher at North Salem.
The high school football season went to the final week as North Salem advanced to the title game of the newly created Columbia Cup (consolation) bracket. Quite the feat for the Vikings and longtime coach Jeff Flood. The post-season coverage along with some great photos from Wilhite and Ellison were again greatly appreciated. And there was also McKay’s boys soccer team bringing home the school’s first team title in decades.
Former North football and baseball standout Erik Ammon—who was a catcher for the Oregon State baseball team—also attracted readers with his account. Ammon’s story of moving from top-tier college athletics to law enforcement was a fascinating one. Erik and his brother Tom both work for the Salem Police Department.
Due to fear of losing you all with this column (and I might have already done it)—I will abbreviate the remaining summaries of stories this past year. But the list remains impressive to me. Local college national performances—like a national championship volleyball contest for Corban University (which finished second), to all-American performances by a Warrior wrestler, to a national soccer title professionally for an ex-Corban goalie.
There were numerous stories on prep basketball, post season tournament performances, state prep wrestling championship matches for Salem-Keizer boys and girls—and a story about girls wrestling becoming “sanctioned” by the OSAA—with focus on a local coach—North Salem’s Andy Pickett—who has been on the front lines promoting girls on the mats over the years. And—the sudden resignation of a longtime coach—Sprague’s Jay Minyard—who decided to move on from the sidelines after 25 years become an athletic director at his very first school, South Albany High School.
All totaled, 202 stories were posted through the end of March. Some items were brief, like Bits & Pieces, with 2-3 small features contained within; other articles covering three typed pages or more—complete with photos. There were few as ten stories in the opening month, with up to 24 writings in a single month.
I don’t normally tally this sort of stuff, but it explains why some writers are exhausted.
Now, a question for you: shall this writing platform offer paid subscriptions?? I am thinking I could offer relatively inexpensive subscriptions—with access to a number of stories exclusively.
DROP ME A LINE ABOUT A PAID SUBSCRIPTION OPTION FOR MY WORK AND TELL ME IF I SHOULD PURSUE IT. You are NOT locked into buying a subscription.
Thanks, everyone.
Beavers land former McNary basketball standout
An ex-McNary basketball star is going to play for Oregon State next season. Nate Meithof—who’s former prep coach considers him to be perhaps the greatest player in school history—announced Monday via Twitter that he has committed to play for the Beavers.
Meithof’s high school career at McNary was fragmented by COVID.
In his sophomore year, Nate averaged 15.8 points per game, and was a second team-all conference honoree.
As a junior in 2020, the 6-5 Meithof averaged 22.2 ppg, was first team all-league, co-player of the year, and second team-all state.
As a senior, Nate went to Inglewood, California to play a full high school season, and then returned to McNary to play in the COVID-shortened local season in 2021, averaging 24.8 ppg, He was named the unofficial league player of the year.
Long time McNary coach Ryan Kirch says while Meithof finished fourth in all-time scoring for the Celtics, and he says Nate would have shattered the record by an estimated 200 points, had the pandemic not shortened his schedule.
“Nate is one of, if not the best player to have ever played at McNary,” says Kirch.
“He stands alone as the greatest competitor that I’ve had the privilege to coach.”
As for Meithof’s joining the OSU program, Kirch says he and his staff have confidence in their former player.
“We are looking forward to watching him play at Oregon State the next couple of years.”
“We could not be happier for him.”
Meithof played last season as a college sophomore at the College of Southern Idaho (CSI). He was freshman of the year the previous season at NAIA Westmont College in California.
This past season, Meithof started 31 games for CSI, and averaged a team-high 16.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. He helped the Golden Eagles go 29-2 and reach the national junior college tournament.
Good luck to Nate.
I will second Con’s comment (Connor Lynch?). Have stated it before, the brand of local information you, Mark, provide, is valuable and rewarding to your ever-increasing set of followers. I highly recommend you continue what you’ve been doing this past year.
(Plug, for Awesome 3000… Coming back, after a 3 year absence, April 29. This time, coordinated by United Way)
Mark,
You are providing a great service for information about local sports, which is sorely missed and lacking right now. You also bring a historical perspective and reflection about coaches, such as Ken Slack, who had a great impact on many people. So, from my perspective it’s okay to charge for your wisdom. Thank you , Con L.