Brian Webster

Brian Webster

Whether as a journalist, freelancer, blogger, poet or essayist, my mission stays the same: I bring stories to life with my words.

Sports Writing

Some work samples from 2014 to 2018.  

The State Journal •

Five Who Made A Difference: Becker-Hoffman continues husband's love for Jacksonville Bowl

Once upon a time in Jacksonville, a young man played basketball and a teenage girl leaped and chanted with the cheerleaders. This is the second part of a five-part series this week where The State Journal-Register recognizes “Five Who Made a Difference.” The annual series in our sports section highlights the efforts of people who work behind the scenes in Springfield-area sports. Read the earlier part of the series. JACKSONVILLE — Once upon a time in Jacksonville, a young man played basketball
The State Journal •

Springfield Sports Hall of Fame: Tim Torricelli put family ahead of baseball coaching career

Having a life in baseball means navigating the compromises between life and baseball. Tim Torricelli’s baseball life came to that fork in the road in 1999 on a day he swung by a Phoenix, Arizona, daycare to pick up his year-old son Bryce and saw that his own boy didn’t recognize him. “He ran away from me,” Torricelli said, “He didn’t know who I was. That was the sign that I needed to get home and stay home.” So Torricelli did. He traded his post as a minor league coach and manager in the Detr
The State Journal •

SJ-R CS8 Male Athlete of the Year: Lanphier's record-setting Bishop excelled and entertained

It can begin where it actually did, under the rusting rims of an outdoor court at Comer Cox Park, where the too-young, too-short, too-bigmouthed little boy fought to fit in with the older kids more interested in picking on him than passing him the ball. It can begin in the visitors’ locker room at Peoria Manual Academy in December of 2012, when Bishop, a freshman, sat crying after his 26 points failed to save Lanphier High School from a 66-64 loss. It can begin on a moment of triumph, Jan. 22 
The State Journal •

CS8 baseball preview: SHG's Cole Daily, Ben McElwee shake off last year's state title loss to lead 2015 team

High school baseball returned last week to gray skies, cool temperatures and skeleton trees waiting for spring’s first buds. Of course, the start of a new season puts all teams back at "go." That includes Sacred Heart-Griffin and its few remaining veterans from a 38-4 Class 3A state runner-up in 2014.  The program graduated 10 seniors, including six regular position players and two starting pitchers who had a combined record of 23-1 last year. “Last year we had such a close team,” said shortst
The State Journal •

Springfield Sports Hall of Fame: Major leaguer Slusarski learned craft at LLCC

Up, down and all around. Such was pitcher Joe Slusarski’s baseball life. It began in Springfield, blossomed in New Orleans and culminated in a 10-year professional career. During that time, Slusarski called 13 ballparks in 13 different cities home. He rode the bus and the waiver wire, yoyo-ing up and down from the minors to the bigs and back down again. Slusarski lived the journeyman life for better and worse. “It’s feast and famine, so you’d better learn how to save your money for a rainy day
The State Journal •

Elvers powers SHG past Glenwood in 3A regional baseball final

Sacred Heart-Griffin’s designated hitter continues to do his designated duty, with devastating effect. Cal Elvers crushed another long home run Saturday and also singled and scored during a three-run inning as the host Cyclones doubled up Chatham Glenwood 6-3 to win their Class 3A regional tournament. “I’m seeing the ball well and my teammates are getting on base, allowing me to drive in runs,” said Elvers, a catcher-turned-DH whose 2-for-3 effort capped a three-homer, 12-RBI regional tournamen
The State Journal •

McCombs, Rose pace Jacksonville past SHS

JACKSONVILLE — Springfield High didn’t have to invent another way to lose Friday night at The Bowl in Jacksonville. This one was pretty textbook. The outsized Senators turned the ball over, missed jump shots and got killed on the boards against a Crimsons squad eager to shake off the embarrassment of a home drubbing three nights earlier. Jacksonville shut out Springfield in the first quarter and cruised to a 68-49 win on the strength of double-double performances by 6-foot-7 posts Brandon McCom