Sadly, I was not a witness last night. I didn't see LeBron make the shot of the year. I've had to settle for watching the replay about 100 times. Dude will be considered the greatest player to play the game by the time he's done.
Anyway, I missed King James doing work, because I was posted up in a tiny newsroom in historic Old Town Bisbee writing a story on deadline about a high school graduation. It was kind of neat, though. Bisbee is this old, old town that is famous for being a booming copper-mining hotspot during the early history of Arizona. Some of the buildings in the old-town district are cose to 100 years old. I had a key to this newsroom, and I was the only one in the old, dark buliding and the street outside was blanketed with silence. It was pretty cool, because I felt like I was in a different era.
I also got to write a story about a former Buena cross-country runner who signed a letter of intent with Oklahoma.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
My re-education
Lesson of the day: I have been spoiled.
As I have covered ASU sports for the past year or so, I have had the aid of a solid media relations Web site to turn to for background information. Whether I was doing a story on an athlete or an athletic event, there is usually a place to go for reference information to give me a start on a possible direction I wanted to head in my piece.
Down here in humble Cochise County, though, this whole Internet thing hasn't fully caught on yet. Today was my second day on the job, and I already have five stories in the works. What I have quickly realized is that doing the leg work for an article down here is a bit more taxing.
For example, I am working on a piece about a program called the Cochise County Association for the Handicapped. Recently the State of Arizona has cut funding for this organization, which provides numerous services for disabled in the county. The Web site I found for CCAH gives a rather convoluded history of the organization, and I began to realize that with a lot of these stories, talking to a LOT of people is going to be the only real way to get all the pertinent information needed. It's good practice though. I am being forced to become a fast expert on every story I write.
To compare, I also got assigned a story about a former Buena High School cross-country runner who recently signed a letter of intent with Oklahama after two seasons at Paradise Valley Community College. In no time I was able find his top performances over the past two seasons (3:49 in the 1,500. The kid flies). I was able to find a Q&A that he's done as well as his profile on the Paradise Valley media relations site.
I think as a sports journalist I may have been guilty in the past on relying a bit too much on outside information to get me started. Obviously stats, numbers and records are going to be chronicled and the best place to find them is online, but talking to people is generally the best way to get on top of a story.
I will post some links to the articles as they get published.
As I have covered ASU sports for the past year or so, I have had the aid of a solid media relations Web site to turn to for background information. Whether I was doing a story on an athlete or an athletic event, there is usually a place to go for reference information to give me a start on a possible direction I wanted to head in my piece.
Down here in humble Cochise County, though, this whole Internet thing hasn't fully caught on yet. Today was my second day on the job, and I already have five stories in the works. What I have quickly realized is that doing the leg work for an article down here is a bit more taxing.
For example, I am working on a piece about a program called the Cochise County Association for the Handicapped. Recently the State of Arizona has cut funding for this organization, which provides numerous services for disabled in the county. The Web site I found for CCAH gives a rather convoluded history of the organization, and I began to realize that with a lot of these stories, talking to a LOT of people is going to be the only real way to get all the pertinent information needed. It's good practice though. I am being forced to become a fast expert on every story I write.
To compare, I also got assigned a story about a former Buena High School cross-country runner who recently signed a letter of intent with Oklahama after two seasons at Paradise Valley Community College. In no time I was able find his top performances over the past two seasons (3:49 in the 1,500. The kid flies). I was able to find a Q&A that he's done as well as his profile on the Paradise Valley media relations site.
I think as a sports journalist I may have been guilty in the past on relying a bit too much on outside information to get me started. Obviously stats, numbers and records are going to be chronicled and the best place to find them is online, but talking to people is generally the best way to get on top of a story.
I will post some links to the articles as they get published.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Back in the Saddle, Literally
Well, it happened. I fell far, far away from the blogosphere. I guess my duties as an editor, writer, student kept from updating this heavily trafficked blog. So for the many (or none) of you who have greatly missed my pointless banter, I apologize. But alas, summer has arrived and I once again have time to waste. For the most part, anyway.
Today I started my summer internship at the Sierra Vista Herald, the esteemed community publication of my hometown. While I will get plenty of opportunity to work on engaging small-town sports feature stories, my services are going to be utilized elsewhere in the newsroom. Take Friday night, for example, when I will travel 30 minutes to the quaint town of Bisbee to cover its small high school's graduation ceremony. I am excited about the job. I think it will provide a good opportunity for me to stretch myself a little bit and work on the reporting aspect of my craft, which I think can only benefit my sportswriting going forward.
I have already been assigned a profile story to do on a dude ranch outside of Tombstone. Apparently it used to be a huge cattle ranch, but now it is just a place where visitors can lay their heads down while they are traveling and be able to take their horses, or the ranch's horses, for a ride on a wide array of trails that they have.
I was kind of taken aback when my editor told me to have it done in two weeks. The reasoning he gave was that they will be giving me other daily stuff to do over the next couple weeks, but I was still kind of surprised that he gave me that long. Hopefully, I will be able to use the time to turn it into something entertaining to read. I am a big fan of the sort of western culture that Tombstone is known for, so I hope to be able to capture that attitude when I cover the story. Who knows, maybe I'll even get to ride a horse.
Beasts of the East
I must say, I am very excited to watch game one of the Eastern Conference Finals tonight. While I do think that the Nuggets vs. Lakers series in the West will be a good one, for some reason it just doesn't intrigue me. I would much rather watch freak athletes LeBron James and Dwight Howard do work. I feel as though I have been somewhat cheated thus far this postseason. LeBron has only played eight games, and in each his squad made quick work of its opponents. As brilliant as "The King" has been, I want to watch him with the game on the line, and I think Orlando will push Cleveland at least some of the time. I still expect the Cavs to prevail in six, though.
Today I started my summer internship at the Sierra Vista Herald, the esteemed community publication of my hometown. While I will get plenty of opportunity to work on engaging small-town sports feature stories, my services are going to be utilized elsewhere in the newsroom. Take Friday night, for example, when I will travel 30 minutes to the quaint town of Bisbee to cover its small high school's graduation ceremony. I am excited about the job. I think it will provide a good opportunity for me to stretch myself a little bit and work on the reporting aspect of my craft, which I think can only benefit my sportswriting going forward.
I have already been assigned a profile story to do on a dude ranch outside of Tombstone. Apparently it used to be a huge cattle ranch, but now it is just a place where visitors can lay their heads down while they are traveling and be able to take their horses, or the ranch's horses, for a ride on a wide array of trails that they have.
I was kind of taken aback when my editor told me to have it done in two weeks. The reasoning he gave was that they will be giving me other daily stuff to do over the next couple weeks, but I was still kind of surprised that he gave me that long. Hopefully, I will be able to use the time to turn it into something entertaining to read. I am a big fan of the sort of western culture that Tombstone is known for, so I hope to be able to capture that attitude when I cover the story. Who knows, maybe I'll even get to ride a horse.
Beasts of the East
I must say, I am very excited to watch game one of the Eastern Conference Finals tonight. While I do think that the Nuggets vs. Lakers series in the West will be a good one, for some reason it just doesn't intrigue me. I would much rather watch freak athletes LeBron James and Dwight Howard do work. I feel as though I have been somewhat cheated thus far this postseason. LeBron has only played eight games, and in each his squad made quick work of its opponents. As brilliant as "The King" has been, I want to watch him with the game on the line, and I think Orlando will push Cleveland at least some of the time. I still expect the Cavs to prevail in six, though.
Friday, August 15, 2008
The Other Veal
Ignoring my disdain for the University of Arizona and their whiny football coach, there is one player on that team I cheer for. I posted a few weeks ago about Tennessee Smokie and former Buena Colt pitcher Donald Veal and what he has gone through in his attempted climb to the Major Leagues, but he is not the only brother impressing athletically.Younger brother Devin is catching headlines of his own as a receiver for the Wildcat football team. Right now, he is home as UofA is conducting part of their training camp on Fort Huachuca. The Tucson Citizen posted a nice article on Devin and his thoughts on training at home.
It is great to see him doing so well. I don't know what I would do if I lost both of my parents, but Devin and Donald continue to make them and everyone from the Sierra Vista community proud.
I also think it is awesome that the Mildcats are having a training camp at Fort Huachuca. It is cool for the kids down there to see that and know what to aspire to.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Unfaithful lover of the links
I have been trying for quite some time to come up with a good explanation about how I feel about the game of golf. This weekend the words may have come to me. I am going to attempt to explain it like this.
Golf is a beautiful girl. You met her and you guys just hit it off so well. You went on a date and got ice cream and laughed into the moonlight and you realized that you want to hang out with her all the time. Things are going well.
It's a lot like that with golf. You can go out on a beautiful day and hit a round that you talk about well into the week. Every shot feels good and you stand in awe as your drives soar down the middle of the fairway and your putts fall into the hole with satisfying ease! You want to see these links everyday.
Then tragedy strikes. Just when you think you have the girl of your dreams in your arms you come around the corner at school and see her making out with your best friend. Betrayed. That is how she makes you feel. What hurts most is all that you can think about is the laughter you shared and the fond memories you can created.
That is golf. You had a great round and hit the ball like a pro. You visit the course the next weekend with a renewed vigor and an appreciation. Then you pound your first drive a mile right of the fairway into the Amazon rain forrest and that's when you realize: golf is cheating on you with your best friend.
Golf is a beautiful girl. You met her and you guys just hit it off so well. You went on a date and got ice cream and laughed into the moonlight and you realized that you want to hang out with her all the time. Things are going well.
It's a lot like that with golf. You can go out on a beautiful day and hit a round that you talk about well into the week. Every shot feels good and you stand in awe as your drives soar down the middle of the fairway and your putts fall into the hole with satisfying ease! You want to see these links everyday.
Then tragedy strikes. Just when you think you have the girl of your dreams in your arms you come around the corner at school and see her making out with your best friend. Betrayed. That is how she makes you feel. What hurts most is all that you can think about is the laughter you shared and the fond memories you can created.
That is golf. You had a great round and hit the ball like a pro. You visit the course the next weekend with a renewed vigor and an appreciation. Then you pound your first drive a mile right of the fairway into the Amazon rain forrest and that's when you realize: golf is cheating on you with your best friend.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Leaving home
The time has flown by and my stay at home has come to an end. Time to get back to school and work. This has been one of the best months I have ever had. I have learned so much about myself and what I want to do. I got so involved with a community the short time I was here covering Little League, that it made me realize that this is what it is all about.
Most aren't going to be professional but every kid has the chance to play the same games and dream like they will be one day, and that is the most rewarding thing I think a job at a community newspaper can bring.
I can't wait to start there. Eventually I will want to cover big sports and that excitement that comes with being in sold-out stadiums with screaming fans, but there is so much to be said for watching parents cheer on their kids, foul ball or home run.
I am going to miss you Sierra Vista. Monsoons, cool evenings, and summer ball games with the family. Life doesn't get a whole lot better than that.
Most aren't going to be professional but every kid has the chance to play the same games and dream like they will be one day, and that is the most rewarding thing I think a job at a community newspaper can bring.
I can't wait to start there. Eventually I will want to cover big sports and that excitement that comes with being in sold-out stadiums with screaming fans, but there is so much to be said for watching parents cheer on their kids, foul ball or home run.
I am going to miss you Sierra Vista. Monsoons, cool evenings, and summer ball games with the family. Life doesn't get a whole lot better than that.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Going downhill
I just came across one of the most ludicrous articles I have ever read.
http://www.myfoxcleveland.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=D2D5C20A057CD2FE8AB0564737F27F6D?contentId=6856475&version=8&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1&sflg=1
Apparently a Little League organization in Ohio cancelled an All-Star team because of a letter written stating that it was humiliating to the kids who weren't good enough to be selected to the All-Star team. What?
So kids shouldn't be rewarded for being skilled at the sport because it might make the fat kid jealous? I am sorry, but this is where we are becoming so soft it's disgusting. What is more disappointing, a kid who has fun all season but quite honestly isn't very good so he doesn't make the All-Star team, or a talented young ballplayer who has worked hard every day and loves to play the game but can't have a postseason because the kids who aren't really good, probably because they are too lazy to try, will be hurt? I am going with the latter.
I spent the last week covering Little League for a small community team and it was the time of these kids' lives. They got better and had a ton of fun along the way. They deserved it! They played hard and they wanted to get better. What are we coming to where you would take that away from a kid. Ridiculous!
http://www.myfoxcleveland.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=D2D5C20A057CD2FE8AB0564737F27F6D?contentId=6856475&version=8&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1&sflg=1
Apparently a Little League organization in Ohio cancelled an All-Star team because of a letter written stating that it was humiliating to the kids who weren't good enough to be selected to the All-Star team. What?
So kids shouldn't be rewarded for being skilled at the sport because it might make the fat kid jealous? I am sorry, but this is where we are becoming so soft it's disgusting. What is more disappointing, a kid who has fun all season but quite honestly isn't very good so he doesn't make the All-Star team, or a talented young ballplayer who has worked hard every day and loves to play the game but can't have a postseason because the kids who aren't really good, probably because they are too lazy to try, will be hurt? I am going with the latter.
I spent the last week covering Little League for a small community team and it was the time of these kids' lives. They got better and had a ton of fun along the way. They deserved it! They played hard and they wanted to get better. What are we coming to where you would take that away from a kid. Ridiculous!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
