Baseball in America Tour - Fish out of Water

The College World Series is not just about baseball. It's about the journey, the camaraderie, and the memories that last a lifetime.

Reporting from the College World Series press box was a game-changer. It was my first taste of the press life, and thanks to my buddy Roger Wilson’s efforts, it opened doors to press passes everywhere I went. It was the beginning of a memorable journey, blending my passion for baseball with the thrill of being a baseball writer. I say that half-heartedly since the Baseball in America Tour was about the fan experience for me.

Part One Originally Posted on June 21, 2014

Sitting in the Press Box, hanging out with all the reporters and seeing how everything operates has been very interesting.  I was given a Day Pass for the June 20th games.  I was excited to have it but I was very conscious of the fact that it was only for the one day.  I constantly wanted to cover it up when I was around all the other reporters.  I desired one that had my picture on it and said “Media”.  However, each individual that was issued a credential is given access to any NCAA championship game or related events.  I was able to go onto the field, press conferences, interviews, or any other activity associated with the games played on June 20th.

When I went to pick up the credential at the convention center, I was hoping that they still had it for me. I had never gotten one at such a big event. The Snowbird Baseball Classic gave me one at the beginning of the season, as did Southern Miss University, but that was it thus far. I am happy to say that others have now offered.  I was the only one picking up and a young woman asked when I walked in the room if I was the Baseball Buddha. Confirming I was, she handed me the credential. I asked if she followed my blog, she looked confused and pointed to my hat. I laughed at my presumption…

The Press Box is like a huge lounge where there are three rows of very long desks.  Each row has room for 30 to 35 people. Reporters can set up their laptops, plug in and start writing.  Initially, I was extremely aware at how out of place and new I was to this experience.  I didn’t know what the rules were and where I should sit.  I wasn’t assigned a seat since I was a Day Pass holder and had to find an open seat. I was told by J.D. Hamilton, the Assistant Director, I could take one that was at the end of the first row closest to home plate, adding – “There is no cheering in the Press Box.”  I thought it was the best seat but I soon realized that it was not. I could see the entire playing field but didn’t have a view of the entire stadium.  I also realized that there were TV’s above me that guys in the back rows could view and check out replays. I had to push my chair back and bend my head all the way back to view the one closest to me.

I kept waiting for J.D. to come over to me to say that he made a mistake and that I couldn’t be in here.  I set my computer up plugged everything in and headed for the main entrance of stadium. I had to meet Adam and Anthony from Austin to do a follow-up interview about my journey.  I was looking forward to seeing them both. Their station was the first to do an interview about the Baseball Buddha journey.  I was walking to the elevator keeping my head down and pretending to look at my phone. I was nervous for some reason.  I had that feeling you have as a kid when you did something wrong, and your parents were about to find out.  I couldn’t shake it!   Security checked my credential and let me through. I meet Adam and Anthony in front of the stadium.  Anthony suggested we do the interview down on the field since I was credentialed.

We walked up the steps into the stadium. I was carrying a clip board and pen. This was totally for effect; I had no intention of using it when I brought it along. I just wanted to make sure that people understood I was a serious journalist! (Do journalists use pen and paper anymore?)  Adam and Anthony walked past the ushers. I, of course, thought we would be stopped so I pretended to write something on my pad of paper.  We walked down on the field through the dugout. My senses were on HIGH alert. I seriously thought everyone knew I didn’t belong there but wasn’t saying anything.  Anthony set up his camera on the field as Vanderbilt was taking batting practice. Adam was positioning me where he wanted me. By now some people were looking and wondering who I was.  My thought pattern quickly switched to how I could get one of those baseballs Vandy was using, then quickly back to how old I was, then focused on Adam and the questions he was asking me.

After the interview was over, Adam and Anthony had to do some other things. I decided to stand on the field and watch batting practice. Of course, admittedly, I was a little bit in awe of everything that was going on.  I was impressed with everything. TD Ameritrade Park is only three years old. What I like most was there wasn’t sponsorship ads everywhere. Yes, TD Ameritrade was prominent on the sign but that was it. This place was about the College World Series and that was it!  (My thoughts on all that will have to be another time.)  After I scribbled a few fake notes on my pad a paper, I walked through the dugout and up the ramp which led to an area where some Vandy players were taking additional batting practice. The room had batting cages, along with the bathroom. The ramp ended on the concourse, an area utilized by all the personnel that work the games, along with the locker rooms and Press Conference area.

I went back up to the Press Box and got ready for the game. I was really excited and I was trying to calm my brain down a little bit.  Since I wanted to blog about the experience I didn’t know what to do when the game started. So, I decided to “Geek the Game” (kept score).  That helps me focus and remember everything. I figured I would see what the “real” reporters did once the game started.  One of the things I really liked was the microphones that were down on the field that were piped into the Press Box. You could hear the catcher, batter and the home plate umpire make his calls.  I have to say that a few of the players like to swear a little bit!  My mind started to calm down a little as the game progressed. I interacted with a few of the reporters. I am sure some wondered why I was keeping book since they provide all that information to you at the end of the game.  I noticed that a lot of reporters were looking a lot of stuff up on the internet and discussing different aspects of the game. Most were trying to figure out their spin, what was important and what wasn’t.

There is a lounge area behind the rows of seats that have snacks and drinks you can get while the game was going on. I, of course, snacked throughout the game. I tried to be discreet about it; however, I was very hungry since I didn’t eat very much before I got to the game.  About the fifth inning I got a text from a local TV reporter who wanted to interview me. She asked if we could do it between games. I was feeling important since this would be my second interview of the day.  I went to the post game press conference to see what that was like. I felt overwhelmed and wanted to ask a question of the players; but, I was too nervous and I decided not to.  I excused my behavior as first time jitters.  I then met the local reporter and the cameraman. We shot the interview down by the field, which was old hat now and I was confident we could be down there.

I returned to the lounge area after the interview. Dinner was being served and, of course, I ate again.  Adam and Anthony invited me to sit down with them. The group of people they were seated with were sports anchors for different stations around the country. Adam had me tell them my story. Thanks to Adam, again I was feeling like I belonged.

I have a lot more to add regarding the rain delay and the game being suspended for the night, which turned out to be in my favor! Check back tomorrow to finish reading my experience at the College World Series!

Part Two Originally Posted on June 22, 2014

Andy Kendeigh, Sports Director from KETV in Omaha and formerly of WISN in Milwaukee, was sitting at the table. I was telling him about the story that Trey Daerr did on me that was airing that night.  He told me that FOX 6 Sports Reporter Tim Van Vooren was in town at a baseball tournament his son was playing in. He was going to try and catch up with him if he could. I felt like I was now “in the know” with a few local celebrities. Seriously though, I found all of this exciting. The reporters I have dealt with since this trip started have been wonderful. They may realize that they are local celebrities but almost all have been very respectful and have treated me very well.

What I have realized is they all are under constant pressure and deadlines to get things done.  As I learned out in North Dakota there aren’t many sports jobs but many people competing for position. Therefore, you have to bring your “A” game with you each and every day, or the business will eat you up.  This is called the “churn”, new prospects coming in every day. Just like in baseball, some can handle the pressure, and some can’t.  The guys I have met like Adam and Andy have these great personalities that invite you to feel good about what you are doing. You can count on them to put you in a good light as they are constantly perfecting their craft.

Also, I admire the print media guys that I have met like Chris and Troy. These are the type of guys that have to come up with new and interesting material to build a story that will keep people reading their work.  Since I have been writing every day for the last four months, I can tell you that it is very hard to do day in and day out.  As I sat and “Geeked” the second game, I made sure to look around to see what all the reporters were doing specifically.  Most, if not all, would make a note on particular plays during the game. Some would comment that “this is a big moment” (when the bases are loaded at any point in a game with no outs, it is safe to say that someone will say that in the press box). But what blew me away was the research the guys were doing. Lots were on social media following something, others would “rifle” through three or four websites making a quick note.

A new memory of Baseball in America Tour - 2014 comes out every Tuesday!

I overheard some radio guys, doing research for upcoming games, talk about the politics of the game, who was working for whom, who was under contract, etc.  I guess I assumed that it was more glamorous than it actually is. Everyone is under pressure to perform. It truly is a “what have you done for me lately” profession.  I don’t know if I would like that. I was enjoying my time in the Press Box and I have come up with a plethora of stories that I want to cover at some point in this journey. Things that the average fan I think would want to know, things that I want to know.

The second game between Ole Miss and Virginia went into a weather delay. I can say that I didn’t mind in the least bit. However, the regular sports reporters were not happy about it. I was getting a chance of a lifetime, and if I had to hang out in the Press Box Lounge rubbing elbows with other reporters, so be it (you like how I said “other” reporters).  Plus, the guys who were calling the game for ESPN were less than ten feet and a wall away from me.  I rode an elevator with ESPN’s Karl Ravech. I wanted to take a picture but thought better of it. I just looked down at my phone again and tried to cover up my Day Pass.  As I was looking out the window and seeing how dark the clouds were, Jessica Mendoza came out of the ESPN room standing next to me, looking out the window and talking on the phone. I quickly snapped a picture of her but I wasn’t going to get a “selfie” with her, I knew better than that.

You learn that there is a lot of politics in sports, and you find out quickly who the power brokers are. Like any business it is about making a profit. You knew instantly who was in charge, what you can say and what you can do, intuitively. No one needed to tell me that there was no cheering, but it was nice to be reminded.  After about a two hour delay, it was decided to suspend the game until the next day, which turned out to be fortunate for me. I quickly tracked down the woman that gave me the credential and inquired if I could get one for the following day. She was very nice and issued one to me without question. I was so grateful.  I wanted to avoid J.D. since he might say, “Too bad the game got suspended but a day pass is a day pass, and I was only comfortable giving you one day!”

I showed up three hours before the first game on Sunday. There was maybe one or two people there before me, but I was excited to spend another day in the Press Box. I wasn’t going to waste the opportunity (I had to wait until noon the day before to get the Pass; otherwise, I would have been very early that day, also.)  I sat at the same seat and when the game started, I recognized the radio play-by-play guy who sat two seats away.  I don’t know why he was there, but he was taking notes and the guys next to him were filling him in on different things.  I think he will be calling the championship series for a different network.

The two teams that I wanted to win lost on this day, but it was a very exciting time!  I went to both the Press Conferences. I now understand the protocol and hopefully won’t be too nervous the next time I get an opportunity.  My only worry the entire second day was that I was going to be kicked out after the first game since it was just a continuation from the day before, but nobody said anything.  I could go on about any number of things that I learned & experienced. I hope I get to more of this as I travel onward. I think I bring a unique perspective and now that I have one major event under my belt, I know a bunch of stories I will cover the next time!