The wide world of anonymous sources - a discussion.

[Pulitzer Wannabe]

Hate it. Absolute worst part of being a beat writer. Not just putting them into the paper, but having to do the stupid shadow boxing you have to do with people to get them to give up the information.

My guess is that 90 percent of pro anonymous sources are agents, and 90 percent of college anonymous sources are player parents. Just guessing from my experience.

Most of the time, you use them to get a tip, then move to get it on the record from somebody. Sometimes, the "anonymous" source is really just a baseball or NBA or NFL GM or other official who basically briefs everyone on the beat about something at the same time, but for whatever dumb reason doesn't want it attached to him. It happens a lot - A LOT - on contract terms, for example.

Covered colleges for 24 years. Never once used a parent as a source. Not sure I know of anyone who has, either.

As a "tipster," I guess I mean. You mean to tell me that parents on your beat didn't gossip with the media? From injuries to dissension in the ranks, there are always a couple of parents who have a pretty good pulse on the team.

 

[Moderator1]

Never met a parent - including me - who didn't have a significant bias.

 

[Pulitzer Wannabe]

Never met a parent - including me - who didn't have a significant bias.

Right, so you approach the conversations with a certain amount of skepticism, of course. No different than handling it with any other source.

 

[Moderator1]

I'm not knocking it - you need whatever help you can get for info. I just didn't go that route.

 

[Pulitzer Wannabe]

I'm not knocking it - you need whatever help you can get for info. I just didn't go that route.

I'm sure it depends on the program, too.

 

[zebracoy]

What about when it comes to college sports, when the assistant coaches tell you that they're preparing for a visit this coming weekend from the player ranked No. 1 in his high school class?

That's news (to me, and probably to most fans), and you won't be able to get it on the record because of NCAA guidelines.

So what do you do?

 

[Moderator1]

Go to the high school coach.

 

[mike311gd]

Most of the time, you use them to get a tip, then move to get it on the record from somebody. Sometimes, the "anonymous" source is really just a baseball or NBA or NFL GM or other official who basically briefs everyone on the beat about something at the same time, but for whatever dumb reason doesn't want it attached to him. It happens a lot - A LOT - on contract terms, for example.

That's exactly what I do with them.

 

[Prince of Persia]

But what about scouts? No baseball scout I've run into wanted to be quoted by name. It was always, an American or National League scout said about Player X. Of course you have opinions from the manager, GM, player development, etc. I have never written a story with a scout's name in it.

 

[Moderator1]

Also not to be trusted and they hide behind that "can't use my name" shirt.

Let's say they think Prince of Persia is a great prospect but they're shaky about that Mike311 guy. They'll tell you: "Man, we love that Mike311. A five-tool guy, for sure. I only hope he's there when we pick."

They're thinking some other scout is going to see that and go, hmmm, maybe we ought to check out this Mike 311. Well, you'd think the other scouts are smarter than that but who knows?

Still, a scout's motive is NOT to be trusted.

 

[Prince of Persia]

Also not to be trusted and they hide behind that "can't use my name" shirt.

Let's say they think Prince of Persia is a great prospect but they're shaky about that Mike311 guy. They'll tell you: "Man, we love that Mike311. A five-tool guy, for sure. I only hope he's there when we pick."

They're thinking some other scout is going to see that and go, hmmm, maybe we ought to check out this Mike 311. Well, you'd think the other scouts are smarter than that but who knows?

Still, a scout's motive is NOT to be trusted.

I can see why in that situation it can be a problem. But what about if a scout is giving his assessment on some particular pitchers in the league like "Zebra looks like he is fully recovered from rotator cuff surgery because he has that zip back on his fastball."? Or "Orville has one of the best curveballs in the league." Does a scout have some kind of agenda in those situations?

 

[Moderator1]

Not really - but why can't he use his name in that situation?