I was certain of one thing - I wouldn't be a sports reporter

Some of you may be aware that the Springfield Beacon just celebrated its one year anniversary. Everyone on our staff has learned a lot about the newspaper business this year, myself included. Being fresh out of journalism school when I was hired, I had no idea what to expect.
There was one thing I could pretty much count on though; I wouldn’t be writing sports.
Ok, so I turned out to be wrong about that too. I remember during my interview for this job, former editor Matt Hall asked if I had any interest in sports. Without even missing a beat I firmly responded no. I admitted I enjoyed watching sports, mainly football, but had no interest in actually writing them.
For the first month of publication, Matt frequently asked me if I wanted to learn sports, and my answer was always no. Finally I caved in. Not because I changed my mind about learning, or because I thought it was something I should learn. I was bribed. By simply agreeing to learn, I would be 50 cents an hour richer. Knowing full well I wouldn’t be making much money in this business, I accepted his offer.
I started out doing features on players and any other story I could find to avoid actually covering a game. But it was bound to happen eventually, and I had to dive straight into basketball. I won’t actually admit to you how little I know about the sport, as it’s just embarrassing. I’m frequently asking my boyfriend questions about the game that any real sports reporter should know.
But what I didn’t realize how much basketball was a blessing in disguise. Spring sports were just around the corner. My first softball game was a non-league match between Springfield and Cottage Grove. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten so wet in my life. I finally asked to seek refuge in the concession stand because I was so cold and wet. A big thanks to the moms running the stand who let me squeeze into the tiny booth. From there on out I made sure that I was always prepared for the elements. For about three months I made sure I had a towel, a coat, fingerless gloves and an umbrella in my car so that I would be able to brave the cold or rain.
Even when I agreed to learn how to do sports, I never thought that I would become the Beacon’s main sports reporter, let alone the only one. Budget cuts have left me trying to cover both Springfield and Thurston athletics, as well as keep an eye on Mohawk and McKenzie. That’s not an easy job, let me tell you (If anybody wants to volunteer to help with coverage, or to just submit scores call me! 741-9111). Only being able to realistically cover two games a week means that other teams aren’t getting the coverage they deserve. I feel like I am constantly letting somebody down or not being fair and covering one team more than the other. I try my best though. I sit down at the beginning of the season and figure out what games I want to cover, making sure that I have an equal number of boys and girls coverage, and that Thurston has the same amount of games in the paper that Springfield does. It never works out as well as I plan with games getting postponed, or played on the wrong day in one case, and come the end of the season I try and keep closer tabs on the games that will have a bigger effect on seeding in the playoffs.
Don’t take this as complaining though. There are certainly aspects of sports reporting that I love. It lets me spend a good portion of my hours out of the office and I get to watch some amazingly talented athletes. Plus, I think of Thurston and Springfield as my teams. I realize reporters are supposed to be objective but it’s hard. When I go to games I might be frantically trying to write down the play-by-play, but I also find myself cheering on our teams. After a tough loss I’m just as down as the next fan.
So, yes, I realize I’m not the world best sports reporter. I don’t even pretend to be. But I am trying my hardest to at least get coverage of your kids in the paper. Just bare with me a while longer while I try to figure out how to be a good sports reporter.
And if there is anybody out there who would like to give suggestions on how the paper can improve our sports section or would like to help out, let me know!