Matt Fulks, writer, broadcaster, T-Bones’ director of media relations, answers The Pitch‘s questionnaire

Name: Matt Fulks

Occupation: Writer, broadcaster, T-Bones’ director of media relations

Hometown: Overland Park

Current neighborhood: “Old” Overland Park

What I do (in 140 characters): Usually, I write a bunch of words, delete the ones I don’t like, and hope the remaining ones make sense together. Sometimes they do.

What’s your addiction? Baking and eating cookies, cake and caramel pie. I tried giving them up for Lent. That lasted about three days.

What’s your game? Yahtzee! I grew up wanting to be a downhill skier, but because this area is relatively flat, that idea fizzled out. A couple of broadcasting friends got me hooked on hockey a few years ago, but I skate like a yak. And I’m a Clydesdale runner. (Does that count as a “game”?)

What’s your drink? Coffee, strong and black – and lots of it!

Where’s dinner? If not at home, Chappell’s, Taco Via, Villa Capri, Dragon Inn or Hayward’s. For a splurge, Grünauer. (There’s a reason I’m a Clydesdale runner.)

What’s on your KC postcard? It’ll sound like a cliché, I’m sure, but the Truman Sports Complex, Worlds of Fun, Union Station, Winstead’s on the Plaza, the Jazz Museum, and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. Man, that’s a huge postcard!

Finish this sentence: “Kansas City got it right when … ” It built the Sprint Center, the Power & Light District and the Kauffman Center, and then started the streetcar line.

“Kansas City screwed up when … “ It “lost” our NBA franchise, the NCAA and the NAIA to other cities within about a 15-year period. Thankfully, the NAIA is back in the city, along with its men’s basketball tournament. I don’t think we’ll see the NBA again.

“Kansas City needs … “ Light rail that’s supported by both sides of State Line and actually goes to the suburbs. While we’re on my wish list, how about an NHL team, more bike lanes, and a full-time classical jazz radio station. Is that too much to ask?

“In five years, I’ll be … ” Pushing 50. Yikes, that sounds like a big number!

“I always laugh at … ” Myself, which isn’t always a good thing.

“I’ve been known to binge-watch … ” I feel guilty if I watch too much TV at one time, but after book deadlines, I have been known to binge on Mad About You, Chicago Fire, Elementary, Sports Night, Twilight Zone and The Three Stooges.

“I can’t stop listening to … “ Music is important to my writing process. I usually pick one song and set the player on repeat for that whole day. As I approach deadline for my next book (a Chiefs book due out later this year from Triumph Books), each day I’m rotating the Avett Brothers, Beethoven, Elvis Presley, Flogging Molly, Foo Fighters, Harry Connick Jr., John Denver, Led Zeppelin, MercyMe, Miles Davis, Mozart, Pearl Jam, and Rend Collective Experiment.

“I just read … “ A Death in Vienna by Frank Tallis.

The best advice I ever got: I had an uncle who was a professor at my alma mater, Lipscomb University. He’s the one who encouraged me to try out for the school’s PA-announcer gig after my baseball career tragically was cut short due to a lack of ability. That one event has led me to where I am today. He used to tell me (and others), “Remember who you are and whose you are.”

Worst advice: “Hey, it’ll be fine to ride our bikes across the Broadway Bridge to the downtown airport.” Two flat tires and seven near-death experiences later …

My sidekick: First and foremost, my best friend and wife, Libby. And then it’s our three kids, who range from elementary school to high school. Last, it’s our year-old Weimaraner, who’s named after Elvis (sort of) and goes seemingly everywhere with me – unless I’m picking up food.

My dating triumph/tragedy: When I was in college, I started hanging out as friends with a pretty girl from Nashville. A couple of years later, I caught her at a weak moment, and we started dating. We’re celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary this spring. That’s quite a triumph for me.

My brush with fame: For some reason, I’ve been blessed to work on book projects with some great sports figures, including many of my childhood heroes. One of my career highlights, though, was taking batting practice against Royals legend and T-Bones coach Frank White at CommunityAmerica Ballpark last summer. I also shook hands on two 
occasions with Harry Connick Jr., so there’s that.

My 140-character soapbox: Like every other city, Kansas City has its issues. But this is a great place to live, to work and to raise a family, regardless of your side of the state line. Embrace it!

What was the last thing you had to apologize for? I have a bad habit of not answering my phone, and there have been times when I haven’t answered it in an “emergency,” such as the time my uncle, who lives nearby, was stuck on his roof. So I’m apologizing somewhat regularly for missing phone calls.

Who’s sorry now? Probably the telemarketers who don’t expect me to answer.

My recent triumph: Besides just making it to this space, I have an obsession with pens and pencils. They don’t have to be fancy, but because I write all of my notes and many early drafts longhand, I need a pen that’s comfortable and writes well. Knowing this, a friend who’s quite a woodworker, Curt Sparks, who happens to be the preacher at our church, offered to teach me how to carve (“turn”) a pen. About three weeks ago, I turned two in his shop. They’re two of my favorites. I’ve been carrying at least one of those ever since.

Fulks’ book, 100 Things Royals Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die, is out now.