Today, in another installation of Stuff Candice Never Would Have Thought About In Sports Had She Not Read About It: Baseball’s unwritten rules.
This article, a shorter version of a book, explains The ‘Code.’
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/The-Code-Ten-unwritten-baseball-rules-you-mig?urn=mlb,238853
There are apparently rules you follow—more courtesy for players and respect for the game than anything—that are not written down. Alex Rodriguez’s cut across the Oakland mound last month is one example of these rules. The article lists 10 others.
Among them, don’t swing at the first pitch after back-to-back home runs. Obviously the pitcher is going to be a little down. So the general rule is to give him a second to get back in the swing of things. This one I’ve actually heard, but the others I had no idea about.
One rule that I found most interesting were, when you’re hit by a pitch, you don’t let the pitcher know it hurt. These pitches can break bones or require surgery, and still, you’re not supposed to rub the area where you’re hurt.
Obviously this is some sort of manly proving yourself to the world thing, but I know I couldn’t do it. I’d bawl like a little baby.
Also, pitchers who are pulled should stay in the dugout until the end of the inning, at least, in order to show your teammates that you don’t think the game is already lost.
It’s an intriguing list, and an unofficial survey at The Sunflower found that even people who know sports and baseball didn’t know about these rules. Check them out.
Showing posts with label Candice Tullis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Candice Tullis. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Baseball becoming a no-hit game
“Baseball has become a game of catch between the pitcher and catcher more than ever before.”
An article by Tom Verducci on Sports Illustrated’s website (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/tom_verducci/05/04/contact.pitches/index.html) discusses how baseball has become less intriguing to audiences everywhere because pitchers have become so good.
This is something I never would have considered, though it makes perfect sense. Baseball is boring when all you do is walk and strikeout players. The contact with the bat and the ball is what really makes fans giddy.
Verducci says pitchers are not taking chances on easy hits, instead dabbling on the outside so teams don’t score up easy runs.
But this makes for boring baseball. Nobody likes it when boxers block all the punches; we want to see someone get hit. The same applies here.
He says another reason the game has become so ho-hum is the way hitting is taught. “Wait out the pitcher. Run up his pitch count. Swing early in the count only if the ball is in the middle of the plate. Take your walks. Teams don't swing at about 55 percent of all pitches.”
Teams aren’t taking any chances on strikeouts either. Teams are edging away from the record-breaking plays and are instead opting for the plays that might let them keep up with their opponents, and that makes for a less interesting, more snoozeworthy baseball game.
An article by Tom Verducci on Sports Illustrated’s website (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/tom_verducci/05/04/contact.pitches/index.html) discusses how baseball has become less intriguing to audiences everywhere because pitchers have become so good.
This is something I never would have considered, though it makes perfect sense. Baseball is boring when all you do is walk and strikeout players. The contact with the bat and the ball is what really makes fans giddy.
Verducci says pitchers are not taking chances on easy hits, instead dabbling on the outside so teams don’t score up easy runs.
But this makes for boring baseball. Nobody likes it when boxers block all the punches; we want to see someone get hit. The same applies here.
He says another reason the game has become so ho-hum is the way hitting is taught. “Wait out the pitcher. Run up his pitch count. Swing early in the count only if the ball is in the middle of the plate. Take your walks. Teams don't swing at about 55 percent of all pitches.”
Teams aren’t taking any chances on strikeouts either. Teams are edging away from the record-breaking plays and are instead opting for the plays that might let them keep up with their opponents, and that makes for a less interesting, more snoozeworthy baseball game.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Don't take me out to the ballgame, take the ballgame away.
It’s nights like tonight that I hate sports. Not because I don’t like to watch sports, not because I don’t understand sports, but because I don’t want to wait at the paper after all our news is done for one silly game.
The fall is my refuge, thankfully, because Wichita State doesn’t have football. Basketball season and baseball season make me cringe. I’m here panicking as our midnight deadline approaches and we are still waiting on stories to be finished and photos to be toned.
I sit in the dungeon that is the Sunflower office, with no windows. I never know the weather. The only way I know if a game has been rained out (or delayed because the lights went out — seriously?!) is by listening to the radio or TV.
You would think they could play earlier, wouldn’t you?
Not so fast, Candice.
There’s money in athletics, and there’s no money if nobody shows up to them now, is there?
Millions of dollars are likely not easy to give up for the media. The Eagle often has to push its deadlines back for sports. It’s funny that news rarely lets us miss our deadlines at the Sunflower (I say lets because it would be great to have some news that actually happened on a time-sensitive basis!).
Maybe someday I’ll have a job that will leave me singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” instead of cursing the sports industry, but for now, I want sports to stop ruining my early nights.
The fall is my refuge, thankfully, because Wichita State doesn’t have football. Basketball season and baseball season make me cringe. I’m here panicking as our midnight deadline approaches and we are still waiting on stories to be finished and photos to be toned.
I sit in the dungeon that is the Sunflower office, with no windows. I never know the weather. The only way I know if a game has been rained out (or delayed because the lights went out — seriously?!) is by listening to the radio or TV.
You would think they could play earlier, wouldn’t you?
Not so fast, Candice.
There’s money in athletics, and there’s no money if nobody shows up to them now, is there?
Millions of dollars are likely not easy to give up for the media. The Eagle often has to push its deadlines back for sports. It’s funny that news rarely lets us miss our deadlines at the Sunflower (I say lets because it would be great to have some news that actually happened on a time-sensitive basis!).
Maybe someday I’ll have a job that will leave me singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” instead of cursing the sports industry, but for now, I want sports to stop ruining my early nights.
Sports dreams?
I have a friend who graduated about a year-and-a-half ago who decided he really wanted to be a sports reporter. He is now in his third job. Seems he didn’t like a lot of the possibilities right out of school.
He worked for a small company similar to Vype that went from coverage in 50 states to coverage in five in a week’s time. Then he moved on to the Newton Kansan. Now he’s moved on to his third writing gig, technically a general assignment reporter, but covers more sports than anything.
He has had to move back home to save money (a lot of people have been with today’s economy) and now works for and lives in the same town he grew up in.
Not quite what he had hoped for when he read Sports Illustrated, I’m sure.
He works at a weekly and has time to get some quality content in and more time to cover sports, but it made me think about the speakers we’ve heard in the past few weeks.
Would it really be worth it to step out of college and work for a small-town paper writing high school sports to try to get a foot up into better sports (not for me…but we all know that)? What happens if you just get…stuck there?
With all these speakers we’ve heard from in class, I think it’s important to remember one thing. Though they may be at KAKE now (or even the New York Times), most of them started out at a Podunk paper making minimal money. The economy was much different for most of them, I’d imagine.
Now salaries are lower, the job market is tighter and costs are skyrocketing.
Is it really worth it to write about sports because it’s what you want to do? Even if it means struggling to pay the bills? What do you guys think?
He worked for a small company similar to Vype that went from coverage in 50 states to coverage in five in a week’s time. Then he moved on to the Newton Kansan. Now he’s moved on to his third writing gig, technically a general assignment reporter, but covers more sports than anything.
He has had to move back home to save money (a lot of people have been with today’s economy) and now works for and lives in the same town he grew up in.
Not quite what he had hoped for when he read Sports Illustrated, I’m sure.
He works at a weekly and has time to get some quality content in and more time to cover sports, but it made me think about the speakers we’ve heard in the past few weeks.
Would it really be worth it to step out of college and work for a small-town paper writing high school sports to try to get a foot up into better sports (not for me…but we all know that)? What happens if you just get…stuck there?
With all these speakers we’ve heard from in class, I think it’s important to remember one thing. Though they may be at KAKE now (or even the New York Times), most of them started out at a Podunk paper making minimal money. The economy was much different for most of them, I’d imagine.
Now salaries are lower, the job market is tighter and costs are skyrocketing.
Is it really worth it to write about sports because it’s what you want to do? Even if it means struggling to pay the bills? What do you guys think?
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Book Review
Written by Holly Robinson Peete, “Get Your Own Damn Beer, I’m Watching The Game!” is a book written to explain football to casual fans or those who do not know much about football at all. Robinson Peete is married to former NFL quarterback Rodney Peete, and writes the book obviously from a woman’s point of view.
The book is full of interesting information, including the history of the game, important players, important coaches and how American football came to be what it is today.
This book explained information to me about general rules of football that I have picked up on by watching the game casually but never really understood completely.
One of the most helpful sections that Rodney Peete wrote was an explanation on how to determine what position players are playing in by their jerseys, body builds and their position in relation to the quarterback.
I did not know that the NFL Rule Book has all jersey numbers corresponding to positions so it’s easier for referees to tell if the player is eligible to have been active in the play (quarterbacks, punters and placekickers, for instance, must wear uniform numbers between 1 and 19.)
Rodney Peete talks about being married to an NFL player like it’s a completely commonplace occurrence, dedicating a large chunk of her book (including a complete chapter) to discussing what it’s like to worry about your husband getting sacked or losing a big game.
Robinson Peete uses the book to clear the air on some of her own personal problems with her husband’s career, which definitely distracts from the point of the book.
The book is written in a very conversational tone, but is sometimes too simplistic and often the author’s jokes can be hokey.
A lot of her advice is, “the more you watch, the more you’ll pick up on.” It’s kind of no-brainer advice, but with the way the book is written it’s definitely true. If you didn’t grow up with sports knowledge, there is a lot to digest in this book.
This is definitely a book you can skim for information if you have a question during the game, but it’s definitely not a book you can ingest all in one reading.
The use of diagrams is helpful and her breakdown of the history is short and simple to read.
Overall, this book is a nice reference piece, but it could have been cut down quite a bit if Rodney Peete didn’t try to cater to her audience so much.
The book has some interesting information and might be something to keep next to me while watching season games, but it definitely isn’t something that I would casually read for fun.
The book is full of interesting information, including the history of the game, important players, important coaches and how American football came to be what it is today.
This book explained information to me about general rules of football that I have picked up on by watching the game casually but never really understood completely.
One of the most helpful sections that Rodney Peete wrote was an explanation on how to determine what position players are playing in by their jerseys, body builds and their position in relation to the quarterback.
I did not know that the NFL Rule Book has all jersey numbers corresponding to positions so it’s easier for referees to tell if the player is eligible to have been active in the play (quarterbacks, punters and placekickers, for instance, must wear uniform numbers between 1 and 19.)
Rodney Peete talks about being married to an NFL player like it’s a completely commonplace occurrence, dedicating a large chunk of her book (including a complete chapter) to discussing what it’s like to worry about your husband getting sacked or losing a big game.
Robinson Peete uses the book to clear the air on some of her own personal problems with her husband’s career, which definitely distracts from the point of the book.
The book is written in a very conversational tone, but is sometimes too simplistic and often the author’s jokes can be hokey.
A lot of her advice is, “the more you watch, the more you’ll pick up on.” It’s kind of no-brainer advice, but with the way the book is written it’s definitely true. If you didn’t grow up with sports knowledge, there is a lot to digest in this book.
This is definitely a book you can skim for information if you have a question during the game, but it’s definitely not a book you can ingest all in one reading.
The use of diagrams is helpful and her breakdown of the history is short and simple to read.
Overall, this book is a nice reference piece, but it could have been cut down quite a bit if Rodney Peete didn’t try to cater to her audience so much.
The book has some interesting information and might be something to keep next to me while watching season games, but it definitely isn’t something that I would casually read for fun.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Mike Kennedy
Mike Kennedy does an amazing job keeping up with play-by-play for Shocker sports. Just tonight I listened to him announce the WSU vs. KU game, and I can’t believe how he can follow not only what’s going on during the game, but also drop in statistics and past game histories like it’s nobody’s business.
That is multi-tasking.
I never realized how many notes were involved with announcing, but I found it interesting that he chooses to use his own set-up rather than using the information from the SID.
Like many of the speakers we have heard this semester, Kennedy said he did not enjoy anchoring on the news desk, but did enjoy the creative writing and shooting aspects of television.
As I listened to Kennedy on the radio tonight, I noticed as the Shockers had exciting points to their games his voice would pick up momentum. If he hadn’t mentioned anything about it in the class conversation (saying he had to be cognizant of his voice so it didn’t sound sleepy, and to push himself to sound resonant and exciting), I would never have noticed it.
I thought some of the best advice Kennedy gave was that if you are going to write, or announce, to be true to your personality. He said if you’re not funny, don’t force it. If you’re not good at ad libbing, don’t try to push it.
I also was interested to find out what he had to say regarding the differences between an analyst and someone who does play-by-play.
I really liked that he was honest with people and that he tries to be honest with himself in that regard.
That is multi-tasking.
I never realized how many notes were involved with announcing, but I found it interesting that he chooses to use his own set-up rather than using the information from the SID.
Like many of the speakers we have heard this semester, Kennedy said he did not enjoy anchoring on the news desk, but did enjoy the creative writing and shooting aspects of television.
As I listened to Kennedy on the radio tonight, I noticed as the Shockers had exciting points to their games his voice would pick up momentum. If he hadn’t mentioned anything about it in the class conversation (saying he had to be cognizant of his voice so it didn’t sound sleepy, and to push himself to sound resonant and exciting), I would never have noticed it.
I thought some of the best advice Kennedy gave was that if you are going to write, or announce, to be true to your personality. He said if you’re not funny, don’t force it. If you’re not good at ad libbing, don’t try to push it.
I also was interested to find out what he had to say regarding the differences between an analyst and someone who does play-by-play.
I really liked that he was honest with people and that he tries to be honest with himself in that regard.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Joe Drape
I don’t know what I expected of a New York Times reporter, but Joe Drape definitely wasn’t it. He was approachable. He was personable. He seemed way more down-to-earth than I imagined.
Drape had many interesting insights to offer to the class, but the thing that intrigued me the most was his discussions about writing his books.
The entire time I read “Our Boys” I wondered what the people in town thought about his portrayal. I wondered if he took notes to get quotes, and how that affected his writing.
It was interesting to hear that he had to duck around corners to write down information for his story, and also fascinating how he noticed part of the way into writing his book that there was something missing: Him. Amazingly, his publishers allowed him to put himself in the story, and that was one thing that made the book so intriguing.
Moving to Smith Center seems like it would be a huge leap, especially when you’re used to the hustle and bustle of New York. Drape’s anecdotes about his wife and her reactions to small-town Kansas were amusing. I imagine I’d feel the same way if I walked into town and saw literally nobody on the street.
I wonder how he feels about leaving his family behind to travel the world for stories. I wonder how much of his time is devoted to travel, and how much he gets to choose where he will go.
His insights on writing were thought-provoking. He really understands that telling a sports great story isn’t always about the sport; often it’s about the emotion, the inner turmoil, the drama.
I think it’s fantastic how he’s stayed involved with Smith Center, still keeping up with people in town and the games. It shows a writer who is truly passionate about his work.
Drape had many interesting insights to offer to the class, but the thing that intrigued me the most was his discussions about writing his books.
The entire time I read “Our Boys” I wondered what the people in town thought about his portrayal. I wondered if he took notes to get quotes, and how that affected his writing.
It was interesting to hear that he had to duck around corners to write down information for his story, and also fascinating how he noticed part of the way into writing his book that there was something missing: Him. Amazingly, his publishers allowed him to put himself in the story, and that was one thing that made the book so intriguing.
Moving to Smith Center seems like it would be a huge leap, especially when you’re used to the hustle and bustle of New York. Drape’s anecdotes about his wife and her reactions to small-town Kansas were amusing. I imagine I’d feel the same way if I walked into town and saw literally nobody on the street.
I wonder how he feels about leaving his family behind to travel the world for stories. I wonder how much of his time is devoted to travel, and how much he gets to choose where he will go.
His insights on writing were thought-provoking. He really understands that telling a sports great story isn’t always about the sport; often it’s about the emotion, the inner turmoil, the drama.
I think it’s fantastic how he’s stayed involved with Smith Center, still keeping up with people in town and the games. It shows a writer who is truly passionate about his work.
TV panel
The panel discussion with Jim Kobbe, Bruce Haertl and Chris Frye was entertaining, if not a little depressing. The three stated at the beginning how excited they were to have their jobs, but it seems that TV news is a less-than-pleasant place to be these days.
The three all talked about how great certain aspects of the job are, but it really struck me that Haertl and Kobbe seemed so uninterested in learning Internet, social media, videos, anything. It seems like these two are so comfortable, probably because of their years of experience in the business, that they are really not too worried about losing their jobs to younger people who really know the business.
Frye struck me as a really good example for future broadcasters: He knows his stuff, he can do the one-man-band thing, he knows how hard the job is and he understands where the industry is going. He knows that as things change he is going to see some serious changes in his job, but he’s not really worried about that.
Overall, the three talked about a dilution of a product that I think the news industry as a whole is beginning to see. Content is less important than filling the segment to most news stations, and they are beginning to shy away from trying new things to keep people interested.
One thing the three all seemed to agree on is that passion will be your driving force. Haertl said it best: There is no 40 hour work week in TV. He said the job and profession will consume you (boy, that sounds great).
Overall in the sports cast, I appreciate Channel 12’s coverage more than anyone else’s. It could be just because I have an affinity for Channel 12 all around. Kake seems too hokey, and KSN just tends to bore me. KWCH is professional with good writers and good storytelling.
The three all talked about how great certain aspects of the job are, but it really struck me that Haertl and Kobbe seemed so uninterested in learning Internet, social media, videos, anything. It seems like these two are so comfortable, probably because of their years of experience in the business, that they are really not too worried about losing their jobs to younger people who really know the business.
Frye struck me as a really good example for future broadcasters: He knows his stuff, he can do the one-man-band thing, he knows how hard the job is and he understands where the industry is going. He knows that as things change he is going to see some serious changes in his job, but he’s not really worried about that.
Overall, the three talked about a dilution of a product that I think the news industry as a whole is beginning to see. Content is less important than filling the segment to most news stations, and they are beginning to shy away from trying new things to keep people interested.
One thing the three all seemed to agree on is that passion will be your driving force. Haertl said it best: There is no 40 hour work week in TV. He said the job and profession will consume you (boy, that sounds great).
Overall in the sports cast, I appreciate Channel 12’s coverage more than anyone else’s. It could be just because I have an affinity for Channel 12 all around. Kake seems too hokey, and KSN just tends to bore me. KWCH is professional with good writers and good storytelling.
What’s with all the assistant basketball coaches leaving?
Assistant Coach Kerensa Barr announced that she will be leaving WSU to pursue other interests just a day after men’s basketball assistant coach Earl Grant said he would be leaving to take a similar position, at Clemson we found out today. Both played some college ball. Both had nothing negative to say about the program (not surprising, considering trashing a program is basically kissing your career goodbye in college sports).
Strangely enough The Eagle covered Grant’s new position but said nothing about Barr. The only real mention of her leaving is on GoShockers.com. I can imagine Marshall may be difficult to deal with, but I’m not sure about Adams. She is tough on her team, but she seems to be an upbeat coach who would offer lots of input.
Does both assistant coaches leaving speak to something about the WSU basketball program, or does it simply mean that both are moving on to bigger and better things? I’d say probably the latter, but I could be wrong.
I also find it to be very strange that the Eagle doesn’t cover her leaving, but has already written two stories about Grant. We all know women’s basketball doesn’t have the pull that men’s basketball does, but it still seems like a pretty big change for coaching staff. Seems like something that Suellentrop would have picked up on.
Things that make you go, “huh.”
Strangely enough The Eagle covered Grant’s new position but said nothing about Barr. The only real mention of her leaving is on GoShockers.com. I can imagine Marshall may be difficult to deal with, but I’m not sure about Adams. She is tough on her team, but she seems to be an upbeat coach who would offer lots of input.
Does both assistant coaches leaving speak to something about the WSU basketball program, or does it simply mean that both are moving on to bigger and better things? I’d say probably the latter, but I could be wrong.
I also find it to be very strange that the Eagle doesn’t cover her leaving, but has already written two stories about Grant. We all know women’s basketball doesn’t have the pull that men’s basketball does, but it still seems like a pretty big change for coaching staff. Seems like something that Suellentrop would have picked up on.
Things that make you go, “huh.”
LFL execs truly unsportsmanlike
I saw this article on Digg and I had to jump for it.
The Lingerie Football League has put two of its star players on probation — for wearing too much clothing.
The LFL features underwear-clad women playing 7-on-7 “football.”
Well, The New Times recently did an article on two of the team’s players, two of their top performers in fact, and a photo shoot of the women apparently did not agree with the LFL execs. Normally the women wear satin panties and bras for their photo shoots, but in this particular shoot they sported shoulder pads and Nike wristbands. Now they’re on probation.
Apparently these women are valued more for their modeling abilities than their athletic skills, and anything that may make them seem less like sex symbols and more like credible players is frowned upon.
Now I’m not saying that these women are by any means top athletes; they basically play touch football and are more spectacles for men’s amusement — about as much as mud wrestling — than they are treasured for their sporty natures.
But it’s still a pretty harsh punishment by league executives, and should send a clear message to the players that they are little more than money-makers and rump shakers for the league.
A quick photo search on the league will prove exactly that. The league is focused on tight ends, and not in the way football really should be.
The Lingerie Football League has put two of its star players on probation — for wearing too much clothing.
The LFL features underwear-clad women playing 7-on-7 “football.”
Well, The New Times recently did an article on two of the team’s players, two of their top performers in fact, and a photo shoot of the women apparently did not agree with the LFL execs. Normally the women wear satin panties and bras for their photo shoots, but in this particular shoot they sported shoulder pads and Nike wristbands. Now they’re on probation.
Apparently these women are valued more for their modeling abilities than their athletic skills, and anything that may make them seem less like sex symbols and more like credible players is frowned upon.
Now I’m not saying that these women are by any means top athletes; they basically play touch football and are more spectacles for men’s amusement — about as much as mud wrestling — than they are treasured for their sporty natures.
But it’s still a pretty harsh punishment by league executives, and should send a clear message to the players that they are little more than money-makers and rump shakers for the league.
A quick photo search on the league will prove exactly that. The league is focused on tight ends, and not in the way football really should be.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Koch Arena tour
The media relations and public relations speakers were interesting to hear from, especially because at the Sunflower we work with Larry Rankin for many of our special sections.
I never realized how much work there is to media relations in the athletic department. Not only do they update the scores and schedules, but they also take requests from media outlets all over throughout the year for their special sections and sports coverage.
The most interesting part of the tour was to see the museum of WSU history. I didn’t even know it was there, and there is a lot of work that goes into that. Also, picking out he hall of fame information must be very time consuming and it was interesting to hear about all the inside information on how that decision is made.
I wonder how much the sports hall of fames will collaborate with Wichita State in the future. I would like to take some time to walk through the museum to see if their information is more extensive about WSU football than the other museum’s.
The one change I would make to GoShockers.com is to make the past schedules easier to obtain (they drop off as the games happen) for those of us who are in the media and double-checking dates and opponents. I would also like to see more top stories — like a link to click on the week’s top stories — toward the top of the page. The site overall is really handy.
I thought that the presentation that Clay Stoldt did was interesting. It was cool to see in depth the affects of Tiger Woods’ scandal on not only his family and fans, but also stockholders, fundraising and more.
I never realized how much work there is to media relations in the athletic department. Not only do they update the scores and schedules, but they also take requests from media outlets all over throughout the year for their special sections and sports coverage.
The most interesting part of the tour was to see the museum of WSU history. I didn’t even know it was there, and there is a lot of work that goes into that. Also, picking out he hall of fame information must be very time consuming and it was interesting to hear about all the inside information on how that decision is made.
I wonder how much the sports hall of fames will collaborate with Wichita State in the future. I would like to take some time to walk through the museum to see if their information is more extensive about WSU football than the other museum’s.
The one change I would make to GoShockers.com is to make the past schedules easier to obtain (they drop off as the games happen) for those of us who are in the media and double-checking dates and opponents. I would also like to see more top stories — like a link to click on the week’s top stories — toward the top of the page. The site overall is really handy.
I thought that the presentation that Clay Stoldt did was interesting. It was cool to see in depth the affects of Tiger Woods’ scandal on not only his family and fans, but also stockholders, fundraising and more.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Sports Museum review
The Kansas Sports Hall of Fame was not what I expected, but in a good way.
I expected a lot smaller museum. I guess I didn’t realize there would be history about high schools and I didn’t realize Kansas had such a rich history in sports.
The really cool thing to me was to see the Sports Illustrated covers that featured Kansas athletes. I wish there had been more artifacts — seeing the old Converse “basketball” shoes and antique footballs is more what I enjoy.
The photographs were vivid, as sports photography is, but I do think the museum could benefit from some interactive exhibits.
The most interactive part of the exhibit that I noticed was a high school pole-vaulting record, which was mesmerizing. I think it would be interesting to have cardboard cutouts of some of the larger athletes so you could compare your height and weight to them.
I thought it was odd that Kansas State had such a large area in the museum, while KU and WSU were much smaller exhibits. I imagine that part of their exhibits are based on people donating items from their estates, and hopefully people continue to donate to the museum so it can continue to grow. It’s going to have to if it will fill out the large area at the Boathouse.
I also noticed that some of the newer towns’ high schools did not have exhibits. Hopefully they will continue to create new areas as the museum grows and newer cities (Goddard and Derby, for example) begin to make history.
I expected a much larger exhibit featuring WSU’s plane crash. They could get more archive photos from the WSU library, and I hope they expand it with a documentary and photos. It is really an interesting story.
I expected a lot smaller museum. I guess I didn’t realize there would be history about high schools and I didn’t realize Kansas had such a rich history in sports.
The really cool thing to me was to see the Sports Illustrated covers that featured Kansas athletes. I wish there had been more artifacts — seeing the old Converse “basketball” shoes and antique footballs is more what I enjoy.
The photographs were vivid, as sports photography is, but I do think the museum could benefit from some interactive exhibits.
The most interactive part of the exhibit that I noticed was a high school pole-vaulting record, which was mesmerizing. I think it would be interesting to have cardboard cutouts of some of the larger athletes so you could compare your height and weight to them.
I thought it was odd that Kansas State had such a large area in the museum, while KU and WSU were much smaller exhibits. I imagine that part of their exhibits are based on people donating items from their estates, and hopefully people continue to donate to the museum so it can continue to grow. It’s going to have to if it will fill out the large area at the Boathouse.
I also noticed that some of the newer towns’ high schools did not have exhibits. Hopefully they will continue to create new areas as the museum grows and newer cities (Goddard and Derby, for example) begin to make history.
I expected a much larger exhibit featuring WSU’s plane crash. They could get more archive photos from the WSU library, and I hope they expand it with a documentary and photos. It is really an interesting story.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Shocker? Fan? Shocker fan?
Well, I did it. I actually watched a game without being forced to for work or by friends or my boyfriend or anyone else. I cheered on the Shockers during their MVC championship game against UNI from my futon, Twittering about it in my jammies and yelling at the TV.
What is happening to me?
I followed the Saints all season because my boyfriend and his friends are zealous fans, and actually got into the Super Bowl game (not enough to completely ignore the fact that Puppy Bowl was on, but come on). I watched several games and although I didn’t understand everything I feel like I’m getting back into the game.
I used to watch wrestling tournaments in high school and know all about track and soccer, because I was involved in both. I used to go to Derby’s Friday night games and cheer on my team from the stands.
And then something just happened. I stopped watching sports at all.
I guess I never particularly considered myself a die-hard sports fan like those other folks who have teams they follow religiously. I never followed a season the entire way through. I never put money on anything. I don’t know the rules and technicalities and the ins and outs, but I do enjoy watching a good game.
I don’t know every player on the Shockers roster, or the entire history of the team off the top of my head, but I do like to cheer the team on.
I never like to say that I like sports but I don’t follow them religiously because being a casual fan seems like more of a sin than not enjoying sports at all. I just hate when I talk about the Shockers game and someone starts spouting off stats to me like they’re a box score. I don’t care. Was it a good game or not?
The Shockers disappointed me today, something I didn’t expect. Not particularly because I expected us to win (although I hoped, and it definitely looked possible before the second half), but because I never expected to care enough to be disappointed.
What is happening to me?
I followed the Saints all season because my boyfriend and his friends are zealous fans, and actually got into the Super Bowl game (not enough to completely ignore the fact that Puppy Bowl was on, but come on). I watched several games and although I didn’t understand everything I feel like I’m getting back into the game.
I used to watch wrestling tournaments in high school and know all about track and soccer, because I was involved in both. I used to go to Derby’s Friday night games and cheer on my team from the stands.
And then something just happened. I stopped watching sports at all.
I guess I never particularly considered myself a die-hard sports fan like those other folks who have teams they follow religiously. I never followed a season the entire way through. I never put money on anything. I don’t know the rules and technicalities and the ins and outs, but I do enjoy watching a good game.
I don’t know every player on the Shockers roster, or the entire history of the team off the top of my head, but I do like to cheer the team on.
I never like to say that I like sports but I don’t follow them religiously because being a casual fan seems like more of a sin than not enjoying sports at all. I just hate when I talk about the Shockers game and someone starts spouting off stats to me like they’re a box score. I don’t care. Was it a good game or not?
The Shockers disappointed me today, something I didn’t expect. Not particularly because I expected us to win (although I hoped, and it definitely looked possible before the second half), but because I never expected to care enough to be disappointed.
Lutz
I have two-and-a-half pages of notes on Bob Lutz’s discussion, and he was mostly just fielding questions.
Man, can that guy put out a lot of information in a small amount of time. That’s probably what makes him a good columnist. Short, usually not-so-sweet, opinionated, to the point.
Lutz himself thinks he is meant for a columnist job. He says he doesn’t mind controversy and tells it how he thinks it is. “You’re either confrontational or you’re not,” Lutz said.
I couldn’t help but write down ridiculous snippets of what he said:
“We’re appealing to the underbelly of society.”
“I don’t know where the business is going, I don’t care.”
“We’re like old ladies in there.”
“I don’t think people need more Bob Lutz.”
“You’ve all disappointed your parents greatly. Anybody who’s played sports and didn’t make it, you’re a failure.”
In person, and in his writing, he has a way with words. He is gruff, in-your-face and blunt, and that’s why he’s made a name for himself and become someone that you love to love or love to hate.
I’m impressed with his optimism for the newspaper business and all the changes, especially because many people who have been working in the business for more than 35 years are so stuck in their ways and feel concern for where things are going.
I think Lutz is realistic, and genuinely likes what he does, but he’s just not too worried about it. What will be will be. It’s refreshing. Compared to the messages of other speakers we’ve had (good luck getting a job, newspapers are going bye-bye) it was definitely a nice change of pace.
Just the sheer base of sports info the guy keeps in his brain is what astounds me. It’s like he can remember every single Shocker team from the past 35 years. He knows how seasons went and whether they were special teams, just good or terrible. I know I’d run out of space in my noggin.
The one thing that I really agreed with Lutz on, and think people are starting to realize, is that the character is gone from newsrooms. People are afraid to be experimental and fun because they are afraid that one mistake will put them on the chopping block.
Love him or hate him, at least Lutz doesn’t operate with that attitude.
Man, can that guy put out a lot of information in a small amount of time. That’s probably what makes him a good columnist. Short, usually not-so-sweet, opinionated, to the point.
Lutz himself thinks he is meant for a columnist job. He says he doesn’t mind controversy and tells it how he thinks it is. “You’re either confrontational or you’re not,” Lutz said.
I couldn’t help but write down ridiculous snippets of what he said:
“We’re appealing to the underbelly of society.”
“I don’t know where the business is going, I don’t care.”
“We’re like old ladies in there.”
“I don’t think people need more Bob Lutz.”
“You’ve all disappointed your parents greatly. Anybody who’s played sports and didn’t make it, you’re a failure.”
In person, and in his writing, he has a way with words. He is gruff, in-your-face and blunt, and that’s why he’s made a name for himself and become someone that you love to love or love to hate.
I’m impressed with his optimism for the newspaper business and all the changes, especially because many people who have been working in the business for more than 35 years are so stuck in their ways and feel concern for where things are going.
I think Lutz is realistic, and genuinely likes what he does, but he’s just not too worried about it. What will be will be. It’s refreshing. Compared to the messages of other speakers we’ve had (good luck getting a job, newspapers are going bye-bye) it was definitely a nice change of pace.
Just the sheer base of sports info the guy keeps in his brain is what astounds me. It’s like he can remember every single Shocker team from the past 35 years. He knows how seasons went and whether they were special teams, just good or terrible. I know I’d run out of space in my noggin.
The one thing that I really agreed with Lutz on, and think people are starting to realize, is that the character is gone from newsrooms. People are afraid to be experimental and fun because they are afraid that one mistake will put them on the chopping block.
Love him or hate him, at least Lutz doesn’t operate with that attitude.
Our Boys review
I’ll have to admit, I was not excited to read “Our Boys.” I sometimes have a hard time getting through a sports story, let alone a whole book. But what I found was that rather than getting lost in statistics and play-by-plays that often haunt sports writing, I got lost in personalities and stories.
I felt like I got to know the triumphs and failures of the Smith Center Redmen, and that I got a little backstage pass into the lives of these players and the coach who obviously cared so deeply about them.
I have to wonder how Joe Drape wrote this book. Did he write it as the season went, or did he stare through his notes at the end of the year and panic to find the story? Did he take liberties with quotes, or did he stick to his journalistic roots? What I really enjoyed about it is that he talked about actually being in the town, being enveloped by it, and that’s how I felt when reading.
My favorite thing about the book was how he showed coach Barta as an emotional person, not really concerned in the long-term about football, but rather about turning out good guys.
The one part of the book that sticks out to me and shows this the most is when Drape talks about Barta’s inner turmoil about letting the score run up against a team. Barta was ashamed and felt genuinely terrible. He also apologized when he went off on his kids and they didn’t deserve it.
I think this book showed a really rare side of coaches, and a really rare, raw, emotional side of football. It showed the background to these kids’ lives and what their struggles were on-and-off the field.
I have to wonder how the people in Smith Center reacted after it was written?
I felt like I got to know the triumphs and failures of the Smith Center Redmen, and that I got a little backstage pass into the lives of these players and the coach who obviously cared so deeply about them.
I have to wonder how Joe Drape wrote this book. Did he write it as the season went, or did he stare through his notes at the end of the year and panic to find the story? Did he take liberties with quotes, or did he stick to his journalistic roots? What I really enjoyed about it is that he talked about actually being in the town, being enveloped by it, and that’s how I felt when reading.
My favorite thing about the book was how he showed coach Barta as an emotional person, not really concerned in the long-term about football, but rather about turning out good guys.
The one part of the book that sticks out to me and shows this the most is when Drape talks about Barta’s inner turmoil about letting the score run up against a team. Barta was ashamed and felt genuinely terrible. He also apologized when he went off on his kids and they didn’t deserve it.
I think this book showed a really rare side of coaches, and a really rare, raw, emotional side of football. It showed the background to these kids’ lives and what their struggles were on-and-off the field.
I have to wonder how the people in Smith Center reacted after it was written?
Monday, February 22, 2010
Wichita Eagle reaction
Tom Seals, assistant sports editor of The Wichita Eagle, and Kirk Seminoff, sports editor, spoke to our class last Thursday about the wonders of sports journalism.
These guys are cynical and sarcastic, but still really seem to love their jobs.
They are adjusting to the changes after 20-plus years in the newspaper business and are now having to think about things in a multimedia package format. They said you have to think not about great stories now, but a great product. They are now fighting what everyone in newspapers is fighting—readers that are jumping online instead of picking up the print version of the newspaper. I would imagine that for the most part people who buy the newspaper for the sports section are either 1) avid readers, 2) buying it for a special story once in a while or 3) buying it because someone they know is being featured. Everyone else is hopping online.
The Eagle has a substantial number of blogs, which I find to be more interesting and informative than most of their stories. They give me an inside look at the team and what the games mean in the broad sense without an extended play-by-play game story. I like the shorter snippets, probably because I’m not such a sports enthusiast and have trouble making sense of, and staying interested, in longer articles.
The one question they said to ask was one question I think not enough writers ask themselves with anything they write: Is my approach interesting? Too often writers just regurgitate facts onto a piece of paper, throw in some transitions and ignore the fact that it is boring drivel. They fail to ask themselves if they would even bother to read it.
It was amazing to me that as busy as he is, Kirk still reads every e-mail and responds to it. Not many professionals still take the time out of their days to do that (maybe it’s a welcome relief from reading sports, though, to get to have a take on things.)
The other point they brought up that I thought was pretty interesting is the back-and-forth between coaches and reporters. I never particularly thought about it, but it does make sense that good times for the teams usually means good times for the newspaper and its Web hits.
Overall, an interesting and thought-provoking visit.
These guys are cynical and sarcastic, but still really seem to love their jobs.
They are adjusting to the changes after 20-plus years in the newspaper business and are now having to think about things in a multimedia package format. They said you have to think not about great stories now, but a great product. They are now fighting what everyone in newspapers is fighting—readers that are jumping online instead of picking up the print version of the newspaper. I would imagine that for the most part people who buy the newspaper for the sports section are either 1) avid readers, 2) buying it for a special story once in a while or 3) buying it because someone they know is being featured. Everyone else is hopping online.
The Eagle has a substantial number of blogs, which I find to be more interesting and informative than most of their stories. They give me an inside look at the team and what the games mean in the broad sense without an extended play-by-play game story. I like the shorter snippets, probably because I’m not such a sports enthusiast and have trouble making sense of, and staying interested, in longer articles.
The one question they said to ask was one question I think not enough writers ask themselves with anything they write: Is my approach interesting? Too often writers just regurgitate facts onto a piece of paper, throw in some transitions and ignore the fact that it is boring drivel. They fail to ask themselves if they would even bother to read it.
It was amazing to me that as busy as he is, Kirk still reads every e-mail and responds to it. Not many professionals still take the time out of their days to do that (maybe it’s a welcome relief from reading sports, though, to get to have a take on things.)
The other point they brought up that I thought was pretty interesting is the back-and-forth between coaches and reporters. I never particularly thought about it, but it does make sense that good times for the teams usually means good times for the newspaper and its Web hits.
Overall, an interesting and thought-provoking visit.
Figure skating and eating disorders: Why is it just women?
An eating disorders specialist has said that figure skating standards lead to eating disorders among athletes.
An article published by PR Newswire Friday says that more than 80 percent of national level competitors suffer with eating disorders or serious body image issues.
Cue shock. Cue awe.
The specialist also points out that Olympic competitors in aesthetic sports such as gymnastics and figure skating have lasting physical issues from competing.
What Olympic athlete doesn’t?
I’m not saying that athletes should starve themselves for the sport, but I do think we have to acknowledge that just because these people are some of the most athletic in the world does not deem them among the healthiest.
Most Olympic track runners probably suffer from knee problems. Bobsledders can suffer from serious neck injuries. Figure skaters, who have to remain just as thin as those who dance ballet, likely will have body issues.
Many sports encourage bad training behaviors. Wrestlers from my high school ran around, dehydrated, in 100-degree heat in long-sleeved sweat suits to get down to weight for an upcoming match. They would eat cotton balls and salt in an attempt to soak up their water weight. I doubt either of these practices were particularly healthy for them.
The figure skating article discusses the increased risk of athletes being affected by anorexia and bulimia because of newer, tougher judging standards. It says they are favoring younger athletes and fostering eating disorders “…by implementing scoring standards that increasingly emphasize technically complex jumps and spins, which defy the laws of gravity. These changes inevitably favor younger competitors with pre-pubescent body shapes, and create an unlevel playing field for more mature women with fully developed hips and breasts.”
Isn’t that the case for most sports? The younger you are, and the younger you begin training, the more flexible your body is. The lighter you are, the more height you can get. But I don’t hear them complaining about different body styles at all, just eating disorders. I wonder if they are focusing on this sport in particular with eating disorders rather than looking at other sports because it has more of a focus and draw to women? It does not mention male skaters having eating disorders. Interesting.
An article published by PR Newswire Friday says that more than 80 percent of national level competitors suffer with eating disorders or serious body image issues.
Cue shock. Cue awe.
The specialist also points out that Olympic competitors in aesthetic sports such as gymnastics and figure skating have lasting physical issues from competing.
What Olympic athlete doesn’t?
I’m not saying that athletes should starve themselves for the sport, but I do think we have to acknowledge that just because these people are some of the most athletic in the world does not deem them among the healthiest.
Most Olympic track runners probably suffer from knee problems. Bobsledders can suffer from serious neck injuries. Figure skaters, who have to remain just as thin as those who dance ballet, likely will have body issues.
Many sports encourage bad training behaviors. Wrestlers from my high school ran around, dehydrated, in 100-degree heat in long-sleeved sweat suits to get down to weight for an upcoming match. They would eat cotton balls and salt in an attempt to soak up their water weight. I doubt either of these practices were particularly healthy for them.
The figure skating article discusses the increased risk of athletes being affected by anorexia and bulimia because of newer, tougher judging standards. It says they are favoring younger athletes and fostering eating disorders “…by implementing scoring standards that increasingly emphasize technically complex jumps and spins, which defy the laws of gravity. These changes inevitably favor younger competitors with pre-pubescent body shapes, and create an unlevel playing field for more mature women with fully developed hips and breasts.”
Isn’t that the case for most sports? The younger you are, and the younger you begin training, the more flexible your body is. The lighter you are, the more height you can get. But I don’t hear them complaining about different body styles at all, just eating disorders. I wonder if they are focusing on this sport in particular with eating disorders rather than looking at other sports because it has more of a focus and draw to women? It does not mention male skaters having eating disorders. Interesting.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Tom Witherspoon of Vype
Tom Witherspoon is quite possibly the most stressed person I've seen speak to a class, but I can definitely understand why. Being in charge of a publication is exhausting, and often it seems easier just to do everything yourself rather than to depend on someone else to get it done. I understand the magazine staff is pretty small, but I just don't understand why there's no delegation. You can't do it all, Superman!
I thought the discussion of niche magazines was really interesting, especially to find that there was no competition content wise. There is definitely a tight market for ad dollars, but with such a targeted group of readers the advertisers should know that their money is being spent on the audiences most likely to buy anyway.
I'd never seen Vype before, although I had heard of it. I took a look at the online version and was pretty impressed. The design of the magazine is pretty sleek (design is almost always the first thing I notice) and I was surprised with the size of the publication. I expected it to be the size of NakedCity but it really was a good sized monthly.
The one thing content wise on the Web site that I did notice is that there is a video tab but no videos. A couple of photographers could shoot a couple of videos just so that the tab isn't empty, or they could just decide to take it off, but it seemed odd.
As I was scrolling through the content I was surprised to see that Steve Shook is retiring in Derby. I remember talking with Shook, by far one of the most helpful athletic directors I've ever come across, as editor of the high school paper.
I'd be interested to find out how long this niche magazine sticks around the Wichita area. It seems like a community that could keep a high school sports interest magazine up and running.
I thought the discussion of niche magazines was really interesting, especially to find that there was no competition content wise. There is definitely a tight market for ad dollars, but with such a targeted group of readers the advertisers should know that their money is being spent on the audiences most likely to buy anyway.
I'd never seen Vype before, although I had heard of it. I took a look at the online version and was pretty impressed. The design of the magazine is pretty sleek (design is almost always the first thing I notice) and I was surprised with the size of the publication. I expected it to be the size of NakedCity but it really was a good sized monthly.
The one thing content wise on the Web site that I did notice is that there is a video tab but no videos. A couple of photographers could shoot a couple of videos just so that the tab isn't empty, or they could just decide to take it off, but it seemed odd.
As I was scrolling through the content I was surprised to see that Steve Shook is retiring in Derby. I remember talking with Shook, by far one of the most helpful athletic directors I've ever come across, as editor of the high school paper.
I'd be interested to find out how long this niche magazine sticks around the Wichita area. It seems like a community that could keep a high school sports interest magazine up and running.
A new experience
I went to my first ever WSU men's basketball game Saturday. I was really nervous about covering the game (it went on the front page of the Sunflower) because I know next to nothing about basketball. I picked it up relatively quickly, with the help of a buddy next to me. But what I couldn't believe was how intense the atmosphere was. The seats were sold out and the crowd was crazy loud. Indiana State played pretty well, much to the chagrin of all the fans who crowded in and for a while it looked like the Shockers had no chance. Gregg Marshall must have threatened them with their lives because the Shockers came back a completely different team. It took them until three minutes left in the game to get their first lead and they weren't about to let go of it then. The crowd had completely given up its enthusiasm until the last 10 minutes and then the fans were so loud the floor was shaking. The press conference afterward was short and to the point, and I thought it was interesting how Marshall talked to the Eagle reporters much more in depth than anyone else. I definitely want to check out another game, this time from the stands instead of media row.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Morality and pro sports players
So there’s all sorts of talk about Tiger Woods coming back to play in a couple of weeks despite his “sex addiction” (see: wandering eye) and Michael Vick is back in the news for a new documentary series that follows his “true” self. I find it a little disheartening to think that in a profession that has so much influence on youth and their actions, such indiscretions are being accepted and seemingly pushed under the rug. I’m not saying people don’t deserve second chances, I just wish they didn’t have so much influence on the media while they were getting them. Michael Vick claims to be oh-so-sorry and to really have changed and I just don’t buy it, but football fans seem happy—eager even—to accept his newfound sense of wrong and right. And these things happen all the time. There are shootings, gambling crimes, drug trafficking charges all the time. At least Vick is trying to do something redeeming by working with the Humane Society of the United States to speak out against dog-fighting. It’s nice to see someone try to make a difference in their lives, even if it is for publicity’s sake. I suppose it’s impossible to keep crime out of any profession, whether it’s professional sports or politics or even law enforcement. Hopefully Tiger can keep his wandering eye focused on the green this time.
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