Through the poetic voice of the Kansas City Monarchs’ Newt Allen, Wasn’t Any Maybe So transports us back to the raucous world of baseball, jazz, Kansas City, and the barnstorming road during the Roaring 1920s and beyond.

Now available for preorder at 406press.com‍ ‍

Loren Broaddus, Author

Many of the poems I write begin or end with baseball. These poems frequently lead me somewhere unexpected, to intersections with other ideas and events seemingly unrelated to baseball. I love the way baseball connects to many different aspects of life.

Learn more

Works by Loren Broaddus

Baseball—an ever-changing game, yet a constant throughout the history of America. While the game does change over time, a game played today very much physically resembles a game played in 1922. This ability to represent the face of change, while remaining the same is why it connects to so many of us. It is why I write about it. Although not perfect, on some days it feels close. It feels like going home.

read more

Baseball is not statistics, it’s Joe DiMaggio rounding second base.

– Jimmy Breslin

Reviews

Reviews

“I have great admiration for poets. The ones I enjoy the most have a gift for recognizing important moments, no matter how small, and convey those moments with a poetic eloquence that moves me as a reader. This collection by Loren Broaddus fits exactly into that mold. They capture poignant moments with a style that is accessible and unique. They are well-crafted, full of humanity, and authentic.”

– Dan Trogdon, artist and author of And So It Goes, volume I, II, and III

“Baseball, I don’t much care for — but poetry I love. Loren Broaddus writes verse that does so much more than just pay homage to sports. A lovely collection.”

– J.D. DeHart

“Read the poems of “Joe DiMaggio Moves Like Liquid Light,” and think of a warm summer afternoon, with a line of perspiration on your lip as you watch 18 participants continue an American tradition more than a century old. You smell the popcorn and peanuts; you hold an ice cube from your soda cup in your mouth to keep cool. A slight, very slight, breeze stirs, just as you hear the crack of a leather ball meeting a wooden bat. You jump up and cheer, and you know all is well, and all will be well tomorrow.”

– Glynn Young, author of the various novels and Poetry at Work

“‘Joe DiMaggio Moves Like Liquid Light,’ is my new favorite poetry anthology! Wow! I loved this collection of "baseball" poems that used the backdrop of America's favorite pastime to speak about the past 100 years of modernity and post-modern society in America.”

– Jason Muckley, author

“Broaddus tells stories through his poems, stories about childhood and skinny legs running bases, neighborhood games played with as much focus and attention as any professional game, meeting ball players, how the game is played and how it must be played, what happened to those childhood friends who treasured their leather gloves, and how a baseball thrown awry breaks a shingle on a roof – and what happens as a result.”

– Glynn Young, author

Joe DiMaggio Moves Like Liquid Light

The debut poetry collection by Loren Broaddus