Squeaky wheel?

[ColbertNation]

The baseball coach, who also happens to be the AD of our local CC, recently complained to me because we weren't giving them enough coverage. They have only played once at home -- twice, actually; it was a twin bill. It was on a Sunday, and it came the same weekend that two of our preps basketball teams were in the state playoffs (so, clearly our plate was quite full) and covering them really was not an option without scheduling overtime (for which my writers are not paid, but that's a separate issue). The coach talked to me on Monday, and really seemed to be on the verge of tears, because we didn't have an article in the paper saying that they were playing their first home game (we did a team preview in February along with a feature on their new assistant coach. He seemed unsatisfied with my answers and took his complaint to management, who now has me bending over backwards to accommodate the team. I have no problem covering this team. Even though they are abysmal, they do have a handful of local athletes on their team. But in my mind, the CC team is secondary to our preps (as upset as the coach was, I would hate to get the phone calls the day after we cover the CC team over two local high school teams). I don't, however, mind covering their games if nothing else is going on. The bottom line is we are now giving this team more coverage than it probably deserves because management hates the idea that anyone in the community might be upset with us.
More than anything, I needed to vent, but I am curious if anyone else has similar stories.

 

[Clever username]

The baseball coach, who also happens to be the AD of our local CC, recently complained to me because we weren't giving them enough coverage. They have only played once at home -- twice, actually; it was a twin bill. It was on a Sunday, and it came the same weekend that two of our preps basketball teams were in the state playoffs (so, clearly our plate was quite full) and covering them really was not an option without scheduling overtime (for which my writers are not paid, but that's a separate issue). The coach talked to me on Monday, and really seemed to be on the verge of tears, because we didn't have an article in the paper saying that they were playing their first home game (we did a team preview in February along with a feature on their new assistant coach. He seemed unsatisfied with my answers and took his complaint to management, who now has me bending over backwards to accommodate the team. I have no problem covering this team. Even though they are abysmal, they do have a handful of local athletes on their team. But in my mind, the CC team is secondary to our preps (as upset as the coach was, I would hate to get the phone calls the day after we cover the CC team over two local high school teams). I don't, however, mind covering their games if nothing else is going on. The bottom line is we are now giving this team more coverage than it probably deserves because management hates the idea that anyone in the community might be upset with us.
More than anything, I needed to vent, but I am curious if anyone else has similar stories.

Are you in Roswell?

 

[fishwrapper]

Let me get this straight...
A coach is upset for a perceived lack of coverage?
Never, in my 17 years, have I heard of such a thing. I've forwarded this thread to AJR, CJR and Poynter.

 

[Clever username]

Are you in Roswell?

Isn't everybody?

In our own little ways, absolutely.

 

[ColbertNation]

It wasn't that he was upset that bothered me. I'm used to that. What got to me was the reaction from the higher-ups.

 

[dawgpounddiehard]

I just hope you don't use "twin bill" in your copy.

Anyway, look, you're not going to satisfy everyone... you did the right thing kept your focus on the preps. It sounds like that is the go-to sport in your area. You'll get to the coach and his community college baseball, they'll get adequate cover the sport deserves (as evident by the 50 "fans" at each game). Let him *****, give some bull**** reply and move on.

 

[Ellis Redding]

I just hope you don't use "twin bill" in your copy.

Anyway, look, you're not going to satisfy everyone... you did the right thing kept your focus on the preps. It sounds like that is the go-to sport in your area. You'll get to the coach and his community college baseball, they'll get adequate cover the sport deserves (as evident by the 50 "fans" at each game). Let him *****, give some bull**** reply and move on.

It sounds like he did that, but was overruled by his spineless bosses. I think that's why he's slightly vexed.

 

[melock]

Are you in Roswell?

Isn't everybody?

In our own little ways, absolutely.

Funny Martinsville came to mind for me.

 

[HejiraHenry]

In most places, it's 13th-14th grade. I'm sure the team really packs 'em in.

 

[Batman]

The baseball coach, who also happens to be the AD of our local CC, recently complained to me because we weren't giving them enough coverage. They have only played once at home -- twice, actually; it was a twin bill. It was on a Sunday, and it came the same weekend that two of our preps basketball teams were in the state playoffs (so, clearly our plate was quite full) and covering them really was not an option without scheduling overtime (for which my writers are not paid, but that's a separate issue). The coach talked to me on Monday, and really seemed to be on the verge of tears, because we didn't have an article in the paper saying that they were playing their first home game (we did a team preview in February along with a feature on their new assistant coach. He seemed unsatisfied with my answers and took his complaint to management, who now has me bending over backwards to accommodate the team. I have no problem covering this team. Even though they are abysmal, they do have a handful of local athletes on their team. But in my mind, the CC team is secondary to our preps (as upset as the coach was, I would hate to get the phone calls the day after we cover the CC team over two local high school teams). I don't, however, mind covering their games if nothing else is going on. The bottom line is we are now giving this team more coverage than it probably deserves because management hates the idea that anyone in the community might be upset with us.
More than anything, I needed to vent, but I am curious if anyone else has similar stories.

Tell the whiny little ******* there's no crying in baseball!

 

[TheSportsPredictor]

Tell 'em to **** off.

 

[mike311gd]

"The bottom line is we are now giving this team more coverage than it probably deserves because management hates the idea that anyone in the community might be upset with us."


In my experience, the writer/editor is always wrong when it comes to outside opinion and management. At least that's how it is at my joint.

 

[Tom Petty]

"The bottom line is we are now giving this team more coverage than it probably deserves because management hates the idea that anyone in the community might be upset with us."


In my experience, the writer/editor is always wrong when it comes to outside opinion and management. At least that's how it is at my joint.

wow, that's too bad. my editor simply directs any *****/coverage calls to my extention and lets me deal with the "issue." i really don't think this is as uncommon as you make it appear.

 

[Taylee]

I just hope you don't use "twin bill" in your copy.

Anyway, look, you're not going to satisfy everyone... you did the right thing kept your focus on the preps. It sounds like that is the go-to sport in your area. You'll get to the coach and his community college baseball, they'll get adequate cover the sport deserves (as evident by the 50 "fans" at each game). Let him *****, give some bull**** reply and move on.

It sounds like he did that, but was overruled by his spineless bosses. I think that's why he's slightly vexed.

That's one reason why when being interviewed by a potential employer, I always interview my potential bosses, too. Ask them how they handle situations like these, but more importantly, I ask others on the staff I'm introduced to how management handles such situations. Last two jobs, it's worked out well. At current gig, boss has had my back 100 percent of the time to the public. The one time when he did disagree with me, it was kept between him and me.