During a recent off the record interview with a front office member of a WPBL organization, the discussion turned to who held the most control and power in the league. Many may think it has to be Commissioner Bunyan, or perhaps an argument could be made for a winning GM who's consistency had earned him respect by all. But this front office member, who requested to remain anonymous, had a far different take.
"The local media members who are constantly putting out stories online and on social media hold all the real power. With just a few words they are able to sway fans opinions and completely change how members around the league feel about certain topics. Their power is completely unchecked and if you somehow upset one, whether on purpose or by accident, then prepare for them to completely flip your world around"
Its clear that people who are around the league every day understand the reach that these writers have, so lets take a closer look at the main players in the WPBL media universe, and how their own internal biases may control league opinions.
Buster Spork - The Pocatello Observer
There is no media member in the Pacific Northwest who is more capable of provoking the masses than Pocatello's own Buster Spork. Spork began his career as a ghost writing intern for national sports talk show host Skip Bayless, and that influence is clear in Sporks style. He is not shy to let his bias show through in his writing, although many question if he does it purposefully or if he is blind to his own prejudice. Either way, Spork's ability to incite rage, promote hot takes, and get fans talking is unparalleled, and he gets the clicks to prove it. Buster lacks allies in the media ranks, with many criticizing his pieces as "shallow", "thoughtless", and "fake news". One rival writer even went as far to say that he hasn't had to buy toilet paper in months, as he just uses Sporks daily column in the Pocatello Observer to do his business. Love him or hate him, there is no doubt that Buster Spork has become one of the premier writers in the WPBL and brings true passion to the league.
Squirt Davis - Tri-City Tribune
Where Buster Spork may be known for his hot takes and quick wit, Squirt Davis bring a different attitude to the league. The premier investigative journalist in the Tri-City area, Davis held a high ranking position as Senior Editor for the Washington Post before deciding that he wanted to have more fun with his writing, and moved to the Kennewick area to see what stories he could find. Some of his writing has previously been published in TIME, National Geographic, and Rolling Stone, and his writing clearly shows he is a highly trained and organized journalist. Rumors abounded that Davis had been fired from his position with the Post when he moved to Kennewick due to digging into the wrong business of some powerful people in Washington, but he has never confirmed nor denied these rumors. His latest piece "Terminal Velocity" was the feature article in the 2025 WPBL Media Guide, as he exposed the corruption and disfunction that occurred in Pocatello during the 2024 season. The strong writing and journalistic integrity that Davis showed during his piece were very well received around the league, and many await his next ground breaking story.
Richard Salas - Elko Times
The Anti-Spork as he is known around the league, Salas is without a doubt the most renowned and respected baseball writer in the WPBL. His stats-first approach, inspired by baseball savant Bill James, is a welcome style in a league that is so often influenced by opinions lacking factual backing. His stat of the day column in the Elko Times is one of the most read pieces of the paper, and he continues to bring a fresh perspective to how fans and teams alike look at the league. Many teams have even brought Salas on as a consultant occasionally to get his take on their team and what they should be doing to improve. Richard Salas is a shining light in a dishonest and unscrupulous media business, and proof that is possible to put out strong, thought provoking writing without shaking feathers around the league.
Suster Bork - Astoria Daily
A newcomer to the media, Suster broke on to the scene in 2025 and immediately garnered attention around the league. His tough but fair evaluation of the 2025 amateur draft was well received, and many appreciated how critical he was of the local team despite only just having received his media pass from the Fighting Chinooks. Many media members respected him putting his credentials on the line to write how he really felt; and while some of those in the Astoria front office were disgruntled at the rookie author, he has not been kicked out of the press room yet. Many around the league are watching Borks career with great interest, and to see if he can build off his strong debut.
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