Whirlwind return to journalism concludes with 14s title win

The Tri-Valley 14s made sure my brief return to sports journalism went the distance. The All-Star team from the Bay Area ended up winning the Babe Ruth Pacific Southwest Regional title on Saturday and will represent the region at the World Series in Virginia later this month.

Last week reminded me why I decided to be a journalist in the ninth grade. It's not seeing your byline published in a newspaper or on a Web site. It's not for awards or recognition. It's meeting new people and telling their stories. It's having conversations and crafting a written account to inform, highlight and hold accountable.

A few years ago, I probably would have scoffed at the idea of covering Little League. There was an older gentleman who would call the Tri-City Herald looking to publish bowling league scores. Faye, the caller, was usually wasted, but my boss, the sports editor, always took the time to talk with him. I used to think my boss was just patronizing him, but I understand now. 

It doesn't matter if it's the local bowling league or the PBA World Championship; a Babe Ruth regional tourney title game or Game 7 of the World Series. Whether it be sports, news, entertainment, people want their stories told.

Moving, the deterioration of the print industry and the desire to have weekends off have made me decide to pursue other dreams, but journalism will always have a piece of my heart.

And who knows? Maybe sports journalism and I will find each other again. I didn't anticipate the opportunity to cover the Babe Ruth regional tournament. And you can be sure that someone somewhere has a story waiting to be told ... No matter how insignificant it may seem at first.

Day 4 story:

Tri-Valley 14s win regional tournament

Sports reporting return, Day 3: 13s out, 14s in and finding inspiration for a story lead

Friday was hot, sweltering and blazing, with a little extra sizzle thrown in for good measure. And since it's monsoon season, there was a chance of late storms, which prompted the tournament director to bump up the Babe Ruth Pacific Southwest Regional game times from 5:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. 

I was made aware of this change at about 12:45 p.m., and it takes an hour to get to Surprise from Phoenix in traffic. Needless to say, I wasn't going to make it on time. I arrived as the 13s' and 14s' games were wrapping up.

Trying not to panic, I checked the scores of both and decided to cover the 14s since they were tied and the 13s trailed by a lot and would most likely play another game later in the day. 

The 14s didn't disappoint. They ended up winning by one in extra innings. I did my interviews with the 14s and got ready for the 13s' second game. They lost again and were eliminated from the tournament.

Afterward, a parent in the 13s crowd asked if it's harder covering a game if the team loses, which got me thinking. I came to conclusion that I don't think it is. A team could win and there still not be a lot to write about. A team could lose, but maybe something happened in the defeat that lends itself to a good story. Sometimes the story is more than just the final score.

In this instance, being tardy to the games actually worked in my favor. I wasn't bogged down in details. I could focus on the end of the 14's game, where the story was, and fill in the earlier play-by-play details as needed.

I try to identify a central theme, an outstanding player or play in the game. Or maybe it's a quote from a coach. Or words from the spectators, which is what happened in the 14s' extra-inning win.

Someone yelled, "We need a hero" when it was the 14s' turn to hit in the bottom of the eighth inning, with them trailing by one. Two batters later, the 14s players hit an RBI-single to score the winning run. I could've led with the play-by-play action, but it's more interesting to include little details a reader wouldn't see if they weren't at the game. And maybe they were even at the game and didn't pick up on it.

Anything can be inspiration for the angle of a story.

Day 3 stories:

Tri-Valley 14s rally to defeat Hawaii 

Tri-Valley 13s’ tournament run comes to end

Return to journalism: Day 2

My thoughts and observations from the second day of the Babe Ruth Pacific Southwestern Regional Tournament. 

• Little League baseball has the equivalent of those toddler beauty queen stage parents. I saw their craziness first-hand in the opponent's dugout. Note to psychos who shouldn't have been allowed to breed: It's only a game.
• There's always a story to tell ... No matter how big or small you think it is. 
• Journalists touch people's lives as evidenced by the countless "thank yous" I've received from the Tri-Valley community for covering the tournament.
• Journalism is best experienced without office politics and douchebags.
• Sometimes the best interviews happen in the parking lot after the game when you least expect it.
• Covering this tournament has reminded me why I love journalism the past few days. 

Day 2 stories:

Tri-Valley 13s defeat Central California at regional

Tri-Valley 14s roll past Westchester

Back in the journalistic saddle

Yesterday was fun, nerve-wracking, fulfilling and tiring all wrapped into one Babe Ruth regional tournament. My return to sports reporting started at 4:45 p.m. and ended at 2:30 a.m. ... Standard journalist working hours, which I love. And I get to do it all over again today.

Despite having some difficulty covering two games happening simultaneously, it was great talking with people, which is something missed after leaving the Tri-City Herald, where I was the high school softball, girls basketball, tennis and swimming beat writer. 

I focused on design and copy editing at the Fresno Bee, which is what I wanted. But I always longed for the feeling you get after having a great conversation with someone and being able to tell their story. And for the week, I get to have that joy again.

Day 1 stories:

Hooper leads Tri-Valley 13s to regional-opening win

Tri-Valley 14s edge Taylorsville