Shorts at the WCWS?

I'd wear shorts and sandals. Big deal.

 

Sandals to cover an event? Never. Dress comfortable to a point, but if you're going to go as a representative of your shop, showing your feet is not the way to go.

 

But my feet are sexy.

 

Hard to disagree with that, although I'd say it depends on the event. Generally, though, that's probably not a terrible policy. I'm sure it's one I've broken a time or two.

 

My experience in covering women's sports (many years ago, granted) is that while some seem oblivious to media attention and some are grateful for any media attention at all, there is a good-sized portion that looks very closely for any sign that a male reporter does not take them seriously as athletes and is annoyed to be assigned to their event. You get more cooperation by showing respect, and that includes appearing professional as well as being professional.

A highlight of my time covering women's sports was watching another male reporter throw a fit at courtside right before the game started (he had arrived only moments earlier) because he didn't like his seating assignment by the team or the fact that his paper had sent him to such a lowly event. Obviously, the players pegged the guy as an asshole and didn't care how huge his paper's circulation was, they weren't talking to him after the game. It was hilarious.

 

Frank, great points and post.

 

If the team I covered all season had made it to the WCWS, I would have worn shorts.

I covered regionals and the first day I showed up in my usual attire of polo and slacks and noticed every single member of the sports information staff, every single radio guy, every single TV guy and every other reporter in the press box was wearing shorts. The next two days, I wore shorts with my polo. I would never do the sandal thing, but I don't have a problem with shorts at an outdoor/hot event, as long as you still look professional.

I'm trying to remember if I wore shorts at some point during my trips to Omaha, as well. I went there three or four times and spent anywhere from 3-10 days there, so I'm sure I wore shorts at some point during the event.

 

It's not terrible advice, if you want to err on the side of caution. But seriously, nobody at the event cares. Not the players. Not the fans. Not the SIDs.

My rule of thumb: Just dress how people dress. If you don't look out of place, you're cool.

 

As long as you aren't a male in a sleeveless muscle shirt - without muscles - like one hack I know there right now did once, you're ok by me.

RB

 

Same hack who covered an early season tourney four years ago involving the same team with a huge skid mark on the outside rear of his khakis?

 

10-4. Oh, how I don't miss *those* conversations.

RB