Welcome to “Bradley’s Brushback!”

For those of you who are regular visitors to the National Community Action Blog, you will notice we have made some changes. We hadn't altered the site's layout since we launched it in September 2006; it was time for a facelift.

When we set out to redesign the NCAF Community Action Blog, “Bradley’s Brushback” was the title that kept coming to mind that I felt encompassed my professional pursuits as well as my personal interests. Perhaps I should explain.

I take great professional interest in domestic poverty and the policies and politics that influence it. As those who know me best know, I also have a few personal passions in life: politics, reading and baseball.

A “brushback” is baseball lingo for the art of throwing a pitch high and inside in order to move a batter away from the plate. It is a revered baseball tradition and, much to the chagrin of me and other die-hard baseball fans, it is not implemented much anymore.

You see, a brushback keeps the batter honest; it keeps him from encroaching on the plate. It differs from the beanball in that the intent is not to hit the batter -- it’s just the pitcher’s way of standing up to his opponent and reclaiming his territory. When a pitcher throws a brushback, he’s sending a message that he will not be pushed around.

Like baseball, the political game is about the control of power. In their quest to provide strength to the powerless, Community Action Agencies and others across the country are up against big money and special interest forces in Washington. By virtue of our mission, we are the perpetual underdog in the political arena. However, I have discovered that by studying the nuances of the game and having the strength and determination to put the lessons one learns into practice, it is possible to come out on top against the mightiest of opponents.

Through this blog I will be sharing high-level, inside information aimed at those who are interested in domestic poverty, legislative policy and, of course, politics. Like the brushback, this blog is not intended to hurt anyone. You won’t find gossip or partisan mudslinging here. But, I will throw my insight, experiences, predictions and the occasional book review your way with the hopes that you might step back and look at things a little differently the next time it’s your turn to bat.

 Step up to the plate, and let’s play ball!