Author Archives: Austin Gisriel

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About Austin Gisriel

You know the guy that records a baseball game from the West Coast in July and doesn't watch it until January just to see baseball in the winter? That's me. I'm a writer always in search of a good story, baseball or otherwise.

Bring Back Mugwump

Forget putting selfie in the dictionary. We need to revive the word, mugwump. I have been reading The American Language, by H. L. Mencken, a fascinating history of American English, although at 770 pages (and that’s the abridged version!) it’s … Continue reading

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A Dollar Does Go As Far As It Used To

Mr. Freddie Ciampi, dance instructor extraordinaire, and owner of Social Graces Ballroom Dance Studios, provided the basis for this story in response to my October call for ideas from my readers. Thank you for suggestion, Freddie, and thanks for being … Continue reading

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Halloween and a Little Help

Halloween is almost upon us which means businesses across the country have lost countless man-hours as workers incessantly search the Internet for the perfect costume. When I was a kid, adults didn’t worry about their costumes, because Halloween was basically … Continue reading

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Tip of the Day

The first discovery made on their foray into the countryside was that of electric fencing. “What the–!” hollered Sean when his fingers felt as if he’d stuck them in a bee’s nest. Jamie laughed at his new roommate while gingerly … Continue reading

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A New Fan, Baseball in West Virginia, and Lefty Grove

A hearty Welcome to the World to the newest Baltimore Oriole/New Market Rebel fan, Jackson Thomas Smith. A September call-up, on the 6th to be precise, he will be managed by parents Ed and Laura Smith. No word yet on … Continue reading

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The Intersection

The cement mixer sped down Salvon Avenue. The driver had received a tip that the police had set up a speed trap on Lincoln Boulevard and, being in something of a hurry to deliver his load, he decided that he … Continue reading

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Signs, Signs, Everywhere a Useless Sign

Has anyone else noticed the increasing number of stupid signs that seem to be sprouting everywhere? For example, there’s a sign posted along the northbound lanes of I-81 just before the Pennsylvania line that reads, “Caution: Low flying aircraft.” In … Continue reading

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Former Rebel George Carroll an All-Star of Sorts!

Former New Market Rebel George Carroll was one of several catchers hired by Major League Baseball to handle Home Run Derby and bullpen duties. Always an outgoing guy, George was gracious enough to do an interview with me which I … Continue reading

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Tune Taste Can Be Very Personal

It is fascinating how personal one’s musical taste can be. Just recently two different ladies in two totally different settings were waxing nostalgic over the “great” music of the ‘80s. That’s interesting to me because I view the ‘80s as … Continue reading

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Double, Double, Toil and Trouble

Brian Gunderson sighed as he stared out the window of his classroom while his 12th grade students finished their grammar quiz. Reflexively, he turned to look at the clock which was making its rounds as slowly as an old watchman … Continue reading

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