covering first MLB game tomorrow

[Jim Halpert]

Alright, so I recently (about 2 months ago) started my first job at a small daily that happens to be about an hour from a major city with an MLB team. We usually don't cover the games, but tomorrow there's a very small local angle that we can write about, so I was asked if I wanted to go. Obviously I immediately accepted, but I'm a little nervous about the whole experience. I really have no idea what to expect or where I can go or what to do.

Any advice so I don't look like the young kid newbie without a clue, even though thats exactly what I am? Thanks.

 

[BYH]

1.) Ask for autographs.
2.) Make small talk with the starting pitcher. He LOVES that.
3.) Ask a lot of questions during the manager's pre-game presser.
4.) Wear a team hat into the locker room.

I keed, I keed.

Just go in there with a plan re: who you're going to talk to and be prepared. If you have to ask the manager something, wait a few minutes for a lag in the conversation before doing so. And absorb as much as you can. You can learn a lot more by being the quiet guy nobody sees as opposed to the loud, doofy newbie.

Good luck.

 

[buckweaver]

You can go on the field from about 3 hours before the game until 45 mins before the game, I believe. (Depends on your situation and what type of pass you have, but for the most part, this is true.)

You can go in the clubhouse -- not sure what the time limit is for before the game -- but they will open it between 10-20 minutes after the game (to allow players to cool off, officially).

After the game, in the clubhouse, there will be a pack of reporters around the stars or players of the game, usually, so if your "local angle" is a marginal player, you should be able to go talk to him right away, 1-on-1. Work up the nerve, and go over to talk to him. And be polite (ask him if you can have a minute first, then ask him your questions.) Half the battle in this scrum is mental, especially until you get comfortable.

Probably want to get to the manager for quotes on the local angle as soon as you can. If you can get those quotes before the game (and they're not dependent on the result), all the better for you ... and him. After the game, most writers want to ask about ... the game itself. Anything outside of that, on deadline, is going to **** a few people off. Probably not a good strategy for a newbie.

Any other specific questions, ask 'em here or PM. Good luck! -- and have fun! -- and kick ass!

 

[ogre]

I agree with all the above advice, especially about focus. There will be all sorts of extra nonsense (that is joe blow's 15th career three hit game vs. Team A) that can distract you from why you are there. Also, get there early so you know when players/managers are available. If you are filing on deadline, there probably won't be time (in fact there won't be unless it's a day game) to hit up both lockerrooms after the game.
Last thing, have a good time, because it is really fun if you relax enough to enjoy the game.

 

[Lyman_Bostock]

If you can talk to your local guy before the game, do it. He might be gone by the time you can get to him once the game is over.

Iin general, if you're doing a story that isn't based on that night's game, you might be better off doing all your interviews before the game. Like buckweaver said, you can go on the field well before game time. Usually the manager has a media gangbang during that timespan, too (sometimes in the dugout, sometimes in the postgame interview room). It's usually pretty loose and you can ask stuff then that might be a bit more difficult postgame (b/c of other writers on deadline or the manager being in a foul mood, if his team loses).

If something happens with your guy during the game and you want to follow up on it, it's easier to ask a quick question or two postgame than to get into something too in-depth.

And do have a good time. If you're used to covering high school softball games and youth soccer meets, it's a bit of a difference.

 

[DENNY]

There is some great advice on here already.

Make sure you get to the stadium and into the clubhouse as early as you can. That way you'll have plenty of opportunity/time to talk to the local angle guy and anyone else you might want to speak to (manager, teammates, coaches, etc.). Just make sure you don't stand around too long waiting to talk to someone, because at some point the players will have to go hit, take extra fielding practice, lift or whatever.

If a player you want to talk to is hanging around his locker, go up to him and ask if he's got a couple minutes to answer some questions. Tell him who you are, where you're from and what you're working on.

Good luck.

 

[novelist_wannabe]

Don't know if this is too late, but it might smooth things along if you ask the team's media relations person to assist in setting up the interviews you need ahead of time. And please, please, don't sit there and cheer in the press box. It's unbecoming.

 

[Barsuk]

Be sure and eat a lot of the free press box food.

And if the president is throwing out the first pitch — which is what happened at my first MLB game — build in an extra hour or two for parking and security checks.

 

[thegrifter]

go up to the biggest guy in the press box and punch him in the balls, just so everyone knows who's the new king of the box.

 

[Songbird]

And, if Chris Berman is there, I believe the offer is up to, what, $500 now? ;D

 

[Lion_Woods]

Just make sure you don't stand around too long waiting to talk to someone, because at some point the players will have to go hit, take extra fielding practice, lift or whatever.

Probably the best piece of advice. Sometimes, we wait around forever and then it's too late. You have to just jump in there and ask your questions and move on.

 

[OkayPlayer]

The best advice I have is have fun with it. My first time in a major league clubhouse I was so nervous I didn't enjoy it.
Go early, hang around in the clubhouse (just don't get caught staring). Go on the field. Even if you don't need to, sit in on the managers' pregame just to learn from older reporters and just to see how it is. Breath it in.

 

[Songbird]

My first game was Sox-Yanks at Fenway, and I got reamed a new one by a Sox bozo exec. Jerk.

 

[85bears]

Be sure and eat a lot of the free press box food.

Free press box food? Which team do YOU cover???

 

[Gator]

And, if Chris Berman is there, I believe the offer is up to, what, $500 now?  ;D

What is the offer for, because i saw him a few months ago?

 

[Nathan Scott Phillips]

the clubhouse should be open 3.5 hours before the game starts. Home players start heading to stretching/BP around 4:15ish for a 7:05 game and visitors at around 5:15.


Recently at a manager's pregamer, some intern from the local paper called Joe Girardi "coach." He ignored it, but the local AP guy was kind enough to take the kid aside so he won't get screamed at by the next manager.

(Yeah, what is this "free food" you speak of?)

 

[HoopsMcCann]

wow, some folks here haven't covered much mlb

ok, first off, bring some cash for food. at my local park it's $7. i know some here love to generalize and talk about all we care about is food, but when you get to the ballpark at 2:30 and don't leave til midnight? you may want to eat at some time. and make sure you do that before the game. my place packs it up after the game starts.

secondly, if this is a feature and not really game-result related, do all your interviews BEFORE the game. before the game is great for general stuff and after the game is for that game specific stuff.

that, of course, is unless it's the starting pitcher. decorum says nobody bothers the starting pitcher before the game

if you're going to talk to the manager, ask the pr guy if the manager has a regular pre-game meeting time for the writers. once you get there, let the beat guys get their day-to-day stuff out of the way before you get into your specific feature-y questions. it's just common courtesy you'll appreciate one day when you're a beat guy.

and finally, have fun.

 

[markvid]

The best advice I can offer is this...

Stay out of the way of the TV people and you just must survive...

 

[Montezuma's Revenge]

Newbies to MLB, cut and paste Hoops' post.

He nails it.

 

[Overrated]

Don't call Mike Hargrove "coach."