Essays Out of Left Field

Life Lessons from a Midwestern Dad Who Talks About Sports Too Much

Out of Left Field: American slang meaning odd, unexpected, or strange

Award-eligible author and columnist Scott Johnson presents a wholesomely hilarious collection of essays out of left field. Listen to reflections on life through the lens of a middle-aged, Midwestern Dad who talks about sports too much.

Johnson has been sharing his observational humor, dry wit, and occasionally uplifting commentary with readers via his “Out of Left Field” column in VitalbyPOET magazine since 2016.

His mostly-true short stories are influenced by his South Dakota farm roots, faith, and his overwhelming desire to be ridiculous.

In “Essays Out of Left Field”, Johnson explores hard-hitting topics like:

The joys of shoveling snow5th grade band concerts

Politics (sort of...)

Setting the (unofficial) record for chicken idioms used in a single essay

Running a half marathon

Major League Baseball All-Star voting controversies

Collecting 55 gallons of dog poop

Heroically rescuing a duck from an evil snapping turtle

Nearly being killed by the deliciousness of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups

These short stories might make you laugh. You might cry. You might find this to be the funniest book ever. (Probably not, but it’s theoretically possible.) You might find the tales odd, unexpected, or strange. You may think they came out of left field. And you would be right.

For fans of clean humor, Dad jokes (but less cringy), sports, Midwestern charm, and observational comedy.

©2023 Scott Johnson (P)2026 Scott Johnson