Hi! I’m Jason, a teacher trying to fill in for the summer.”
That’s how I responded to Kevin Kyle, the sports editor of the Pipestone County Star, at Redbird Field Sunday.
He saw me standing safely behind the net with a notebook under my arm and camera raised, attempting to get quality photos during the Pipestone at Luverne amateur baseball game.
Kevin was on the other side of the net where hard-hit balls come flying at you, all but risking his life in search of that perfect photo for the Pipestone paper.
He even had one of those large, fancy cameras that had a monopod to balance perfectly.
I’m sure Kyle assumed he was introducing himself to his new colleague who had replaced John Rittenhouse at the Star Herald.
I was quick to point out what must have been obvious. I’m no professional.
Sports editors at the weekly newspapers in the Big South (old Southwest) Conference are a really small club.
I have no doubt Kevin is looking forward to meeting the new Luverne sports editor.
So I felt compelled to quickly let him know that isn’t me.
I’m no sports reporter.
Many of the photos I took at that game (from safely behind the net) included a black spot from something on the lens.
It’s not unusual for me to get a good photo and then not know for sure who the player is.
More than once this summer I’ve asked a coach, athlete or racecar driver a question that any real sports reporter would know the answer to.
I’ve spelled names wrong, messed up box scores and missed a few deadlines.
And I’m definitely not quick (or motivated) enough to stand on the inside of the fence at Redbird Field for a photo.
The hard part is, in general, I’m kind of a perfectionist.
Or at least I like to appear to be on top of my game. And that’s not always possible when writing articles that thousands of people can read.
But I’m still enjoying writing about sports.
I like meeting new people and learning new things.
Coaches have been a huge help to me.
Parents of athletes and racetrack promoters have provided photos and information that I need.
In short, I’ve been reminded that sports coverage matters to people in Rock County and that it’s good to try new things by stepping outside my usual boxes.
The Pipestone sports editor and I had a short conversation Sunday and I got a small taste of the camaraderie that sports reporters share.
I look forward to when the Star Herald hires a new sports editor who can share the sidelines with Kevin while gathering details and photos to share with Rock County sports fans.
Until then, I’m still a teacher just trying to fill in for the summer from safely behind the net.