Last night I reported live from Fifth Third Field in beautiful Dayton, Ohio, covering the Dayton Dragons game.
This was my first game that I’ve ever covered with an official press pass. My emotions have been all over the place today. I was too proud to ask my friend and editor Matt Sussman what to expect tonight as a member of the press, so I went in with a plethora of questions spiraling through my mind:
- What should I wear?
- How should I introduce myself to people?
- Where do I go to pick up my press pass?
- Where’s the press box?
- Would it be uncouth to eat sunflower seeds there?
- What if my cover is blown and I’m exposed for the hack of a writer that I really am?
- What if I’m too nervous to blog in front of everyone?
I’ve only been here for 15 minutes, and I’m already in love. As soon as I arrived, I picked up my first ever media pass. Since I write under a pseudonym, I brought every communication document that I had with the Dayton Dragons over the last several months, in case questions were asked. To my surprise, the staff didn’t even ask for anything. I don’t think it would be quite this easy with a major league franchise.
With the media credentials in hand, I strutted to the gates like I had a pass to meet Bono. I asked the ticket attendant if I was allowed in and gave a few of the straggling, waiting fans a nod, a nod that said “I’ve been there before.”
6:35-I’m eating Donatos Pizza on the Dragons.
6:43-As I’m finishing up my second round of Donatos, U2’s “Beautiful Day” is playing. Yes, yes it is a “Beautiful Day.”
6:56-The Dragons are facing off against the Clinton LumberKings (Texas Rangers) in a Midwest League match up, Single A. The Dragons have the right handed Carlos Fisher (7-4, 3.17 ERA, 1.26 WHIP) going against the Lumber Kings righty Kyle Rogers (1-6, 4.93 ERA, 1.43 WHIP)
7:10-After Fisher induced second baseman Jose Vallejo into a groundout; he gave up a triple to Truan Mehl and a run-scoring double to Terry Blunt.
7:12-More proof that stats are deceiving. Fisher gave up another run-scoring double for the third consecutive extra base hit. 2-0 LumberKings.
7:17-Fisher recorded back-to-back outs with minimal damage.
7:19-Rogers bounced his first pitch to the plate.
7:20-Rogers walked leadoff batter Mike DeJesus.
7:23-Rogers walked the first two batters. I feel like I’m watching one of my step-sister’s 13-and-under softball games. This could be a four-hour affair.
Article Author: M.D. Sandwasher
Blogcritics' M.D. Sandwasher moonlights as a freelance writer and is an avid lover of sports and music. He regularly contributes to Blogcritics and maintains his own blog.
Visit M.D. Sandwasher's author page — M.D. Sandwasher's Blog
Article comments
1 - Matthew T. Sussman
Honestly, I've never been to the press box before. Too small. Too dirty. Too many other "reporters." My last trip to a Hens game (Also Fifth Third Field) I specifically asked to sit in the seats. The usher was fine with me taking a seat in the back and setting up laptop shop.
2 - Uncle Kevin
Great reporting. Loved the story.
Unfortunately, the editor in me has to correct a slight error. First, it's "Chisholm" Minnesota. As you know, "Field of Dreams" is my favorite movie of all time, so your line about Moonlight Graham made me laugh out loud. Perhaps it was just a typo. No biggie. I drive people at work crazy all the time because I'm constantly correcting their e-mails and IMs.
I especially liked your description of Bruce as a young Van Slyke. Since I've never seen Bruce, I can now picture him more clearly. By the way, is he white or black? He must be white or you would have compared him to Al Oliver.
Excellent job.
3 - Todd
I found out my brother AJ was one of the 8,857. He said there was an eerie feeling in the air, the feeling of a "presence of greatness" he said. If he only knew it was the Sandwasher....
4 - M.D. Sandwasher
Suss-You had me at "hello." What else can I say?
Uncle Kevin-Thanks for all the compliments. "Chisholm" was a typo. I can't believe I didn't see that after the game. I live blogged during the game, but I should have caught it when I reread the article afterwards. Kevin, the Al Oliver line cracked me up. Let me just say that Bruce looks more like Van Slyke than Scoop Oliver.
Wacker, aka T.Minard, I think the "presence of greatness" AJ was feeling was Jay Bruce, but I appreciate the comment. Was AJ really there? That would be too cool if he was.
5 - Mary K. Williams
This was cool to read. Your depictions of being in awe of the whole experience are refreshing.
Good job!
6 - M.D. Sandwasher
Mary,
Thanks so much for the compliments. The whole experience has been so surreal, during the event and after. It’s great to receive compliments from friends and family members, but it is so much sweeter to receive one from a peer and colleague. My friends and family members have to love/like me, you don’t.
Thanks so much for your kind words.
7 - Mary K. Williams
My friends and family members have to love/like me, you don't
I know the feeling! And you're welcome MD.
8 - Scott Butki
The irony is the press box is often one of the worst spots to be at when covering an event. But it has that "look at me i'm in the press box" vibe which is fun for a while.
Good piece, man. You describe your thoughts and feelings quite well.
9 - Matthew T. Sussman
M.D., last week I liveblogged a Hens playoff game from the comfort of the press box and thought of your article. It did seem kind of silly for me to sit there commenting on the inning change music while the other reporters were trading situational stats and digging up playoff records. Even one of the present reporters -- a fan of my blog for some reason -- was periodically checking in on the liveblog.
So when it came to liveblogging at a stadium named Fifth Third Field, you beat me by about two months.