No Press coverage

[Will Gibbs]

:confused: There was a great game between Smithfield and Poquoson yesterday 4/12/08, it's a shame for the girls and subscribers that there was no coverage, this can also be said for many other softball games this year. Why would DP not cover great local High School sports in their own back yard for college sports, if it were footbll or basketball there would be plenty of coverage. In years past before the Tribune owned DP, they had a great sports department and they covered local HS sports great. I pay for a paper everyday and I would like to see better coverage from DP, Saturday games should get coverage too. I'm not knocking the reporters they do a great job. This is just my opinion.

[Bythenumbers]

Very simple one name ..Boo Williams tournament when its Boo time in town thats the attraction.No way no how will softball get attention over a Boo tournament that is the future NBA and D1 basketball players boys and girls and the PIT was winding down also.Just a bad weekend for coverage.

[Will Gibbs]

I know the DP can not cover evey softball game each day, but at least give more than one or two lines. When the coaches call games in, at least get a little better summary of the game. This is the line from DP: "In softball, Poquoson scored two runs in the sixth to edge host Smitfield 2-1". What readers never knew, is how Lincoln got her 14 K's on Riseballs and change-ups or that they scored a run on a botched inning ending double play in the sixth. That Poquoson's Catherine Clavin, after being struck-out twice previously by Lincoln on change-ups, sits on a change and rips a double into the left center gap for a double in the fitth. In the sixth Taylor walker hits a triple that one hops the fence, then is driven in by Amy Putnam's double and she is driven in by Brandy Wyatt's double. My point is, I would like to see more of this about every team out there, even the A and AAA teams. I love high school sports and reading about them.

[softball4girls]

There is no possible way to keep everybody happy any way you go. I think the DP does a fine job choosing the games they go to and they people they cover. Dude people don't want to read about just anybody. The same teams that sell tickets are the same teams that will sell papers. Do you think if Gloucester and Warwick were playing people would go see Phoebus and Bethal instead. NO! they wouldn't. It was nice they did the article on Hamm, but competition. I think he should've been covered, but not to that extent. I'm not saying that in a mean way, but I think players should earn the spotlight in several instances. That was the first time I heard about that kid. It was a interesting article and all, but what about the kids constantly earn coverage. The ones that get constant coverage are the sames ones that people go to watch, weather it be to see them win or hope the loose, but they draw the attention.

[Will Gibbs]

The story on Paul Hamm is spotlight on a player and that is good to read. You have missed my point; I care about all the games out there not just the headliners. I feel the “Big Games” should get the attention, but it would be nice to know more about other games also. I have coached girls who play for many teams around here; I would just like to see better articles when teams with not such great records play. Every team is worhty of coverage, not just when the "Big Dogs" beat them up. A true sports fan wants it all, not just the meat and potatoes.

[underdog562]

This is the line from DP: "In softball, Poquoson scored two runs in the sixth to edge host Smitfield 2-1". What readers never knew, is how Lincoln got her 14 K's on Riseballs and change-ups or that they scored a run on a botched inning ending double play in the sixth. That Poquoson's Catherine Clavin, after being struck-out twice previously by Lincoln on change-ups, sits on a change and rips a double into the left center gap for a double in the fitth. In the sixth Taylor walker hits a triple that one hops the fence, then is driven in by Amy Putnam's double and she is driven in by Brandy Wyatt's double. My point is, I would like to see more of this about every team out there, even the A and AAA teams. I love high school sports and reading about them.

I see your point umpire, but I'm more of a steak and potatoes person myself. I glance at scores of certains games, but that's just it a glance. Good games, I look at the hits, errors etc . Poquoson and Smithfield has to be a good game to see. Both teams have quality players. I agree that you can't summarize a game in 2-3 lines. Where I disagree is what should be included in a summary. If you includes how Lincoln got her 14Ks, Clavin striking out twice etc then you're back square one(hearing about the same teams), cause the DP would have to mention how Coates pitched a perfect game with batters chasing her rise ball... Byrd fanned 15 beach batters with her drop ball... King get the 2 RBIs with a shot back up the middle after being walked twice... I don't think daily press summarizes the games they just list a few high lights. Depending on who calls the info in, you may only see certain names mentioned. I like the new section "Hrvarsity.com stars of the week"... It give more players recognition. :cool:I think that's were Hamm's info should have gone too.

[softball4girls]

I think that the article on Hamm was right where it needed to be. Hrvarsity star of the week is just that .Of the week.

Dude, HRVASITY.com player of the week would have been a good place for Hamm's winning game for that week. I can understand the excitement of a long win. Softball 911 who are you interested in seeing covered. You seem disappointed with coverage.

[League of Their Own]

The reporters go where the interest is most generated. Do you see all the softball teams on ESPN. They cover the teams at the top. the Cat Osterman's & Jennie Finch's. DP has to go their top teams/players so what's the problem.

[underdog562]

Dude.I do have some people in mind but I don`t think you have ever heard of them. It really shows us that it`s more than just being in the spotlight because you are a great player, a stud , or a beast in his or her sport.There are other qualities to be considered.

softball 911 how's does the DP decide who they should right about if it's not a stud, great player or "beast". Should they just pull the names out of a hat; then you'd have the studs upset.

[CoachBell]

I have read many of the posts in this thread, quite honestly the DP covers far less than other papers in the area for Girls sports especially softball (when you consider the size of the paper).

The only way girls softball will get appropriate coverage is for local individuals to cover it themselves and hope that the DP will run the article. There are several big games this week to include Smithfield and York (who is still undefeated). Will they cover this game?? Doubt it. But an article will be written.

To bad there wasn't a title IX for sports coverage, maybe there would be coverage for more girls sports?

Anyway, if we (softball community) want more articles it may be necessary to start our own local newsletter that can be sent electronically to all it's subscribers. Charging a minimum fee to help with gas and any cost associated for the coverage. But each of the articles must be written objectively and without favoritism which is hard to do many times. Maybe we all can pay someone to do that currently has the time to cover it??

If there are enough people interested just shoot me a line or two and maybe we can make it happen.

This HRVarsity is about the best thing DP has for them right now.

I would like to see more softball coverage bottom line whether it is Smithfield, Franklin, Surry, Gloucester or Middlesex anything but please just give us MORE DP!

[softball93]

Obviously most of you are new to girls high school softball. Bottom line is there will never be much coverage. There will never be a girls softball sports complex built carring the name of a local Fastpitch "Insurance Salesman" Coach or will there be the coverage that we want on our sport. It is just not that important to the paper. We can either **** it up or call the D.P. and raise heck. If they know there are hundreds or even thousands of readers that want better coverage then maybe they will begin to care. If a thousand subscribers cancel their subscriptions over protest then we will get their attention. We probably still will not get any coverage but someone may do a story on why we all cancelled our subscriptions. We will however never read that story because we won't receive the paper any longer.

[CoachBell]

Softball93 That is a GOOD one I am cancelling my DP subscription today.

[CoachBell]

Anyone check out VA Pilot and 757Teamz? They do a pretty good job at covering local softball. To include some video of local players interviews. But HR has all the scores which is good to follow But VP does a very good job covering. Does anyone subscribe to VP? Just wondering if the paper version has good coverage like 757Teamz?