Softball and the media

Many of my 300 Twitter followers do not live in Auburn and do not personally know me so they maybe getting tired of the Dixie Youth softball tournament updates. An example:

In district softball tourney, Auburn beat E Montgomery 10-4. Will play Montgomery Gray at 6 pm Tues at Felton Little.Must win 2 games to adv

One reason that I use Twitter to update about softball is to keep my friends who are interested in-the-know. Also, it is also sort of a record.

 

A third reason is that girls' sports do not get the same publicity and recognition from the press. Observing both girls' and boys' recreation and high school sports for several years, I have noticed that boys' sports are reported more often and in more detail than girls' sports. If you doubt me, count the number of articles written in local papers on girls' high school basketball and boys' high school basketball during the regular seasons. Then, do the same for boys' high school baseball and girls' high school softball; and the same for girls' golf and boys' golf. Also, if you don't believe me, pick up your local paper--particularly if you live in a small town--and read the articles on the current Little League and Dixie Youth regional ball games.

 

While I can give numerous examples, I will point out today's issue of the Opelika-Auburn News. The picture is taken of an Auburn boys (from the 11-12 league) at the District tournament in Opelika.

 

The Dixie Youth Ponytail District (11-12 league) tournament in Auburn has been played since Thursday of last week. Two games went into 10 innings (6 innings make the game). Dadeville and Montgomery Gray played consistently good ball for 10 innings with Montgomery Gray pulling out the win in the 10th inning. Auburn and Montgomery Gray went 9 innings with no score, until Montgomery Gray scored 2 runs in the top of the 10th inning. Two of Auburn's pitchers struck 16 batters out in 8 innings. The game was nail biting in that Auburn could never capitalize on the hits. I think Auburn left 12 runners on base throughout the game, but could never get a run around the field.

 

Scoring Auburn's 4th run of the 1st inning of last night's game, the delayed steal home was perfectly executed--classic and exciting. Most all of this tournament's games have been exciting, great ball playing and solid strategy. Yet, we have not seen a reporter or a staff photographer at any of these games. But, they have been available for the boys' games.

 

It's not all about equality. Also, I really want to know. I want to know how the Opelika Dixie Belles (13-15 year olds) play in their upcoming district tournament. I not only want to know if they win or lose, I also want to know who pitched, who hit, and who scored.

 

One advantage of living in a small town is that we get to know most everyone. I watched several girls on the Opelika team grow into good athletes and accomplished pitchers and batter. I want to know about their playing and their successes.

 

Another advantage of living in a small town is that we expect that our local paper report local events. We buy the local paper for the local news--we get state, national and international news from other sources.

 

We are glad that Opelika-Auburn News printed an article on the Auburn and East Montgomery Dixie Youth Ponytail game, even if we had to write it ourselves. If we must, we will write an article for each our games.

 

As far as for my Twitter followers, there are more Twitter messages to come. If the paper will not give credit where credit is due, then we must do it ourselves.