Would you touch this story?

Not with Bea Arthur's ...

 

Suggested lede:

The bad news is that Podunk High is missing its star softball hurler this season, but the good news is another one is one the way in about 16 years!

 

If you do a story like that I can guarantee at least one "you're glorifying teen pregnancy" letter and one letter wondering why you're not writing about the girls who didn't get pregnant and didn't let their teammates down.

 

To which I say: So?

The comments on the website are bound to be even more graphic.

 

If you base story selection on the amount of letters to the editor you MIGHT get, you'd never write anything.

 

Hey if the story subject is cool with it - fine. But as writers we're more familiar with story reactions, I think you owe it to a kid that not everyone is going to react positively. I've probably talked some kids out of agreeing to a story once or twice because I wanted to make certain that they and their families were ready for all types of reactions.

 

I love this place.

 

I say it's not worth it.
The only way it's close to worthwhile is if your paper covers softball so intently that it keeps regular track of all injuries and absenses. Do people really care that much about Podunk High's softball team?

 

Obviously not. This is a story that trascends sports. You know, to attract more readers than your typical softball crowd.

I hate to say it, but I'm starting to think some of you people aren't very good at your jobs.

 

It's not your decision, it's hers. If she's okay with doing the story, go for it. If not, back off.

 

Perhaps not, but some of us are working very hard at being good human beings. So the question gives me pause.

Thinking about our market, I could imagine reaching out to the family if this was a solid D-I prospect or a kid who was our player of the year last season and now she's out for the year. Just some kid on just some team? I think I could live (and live with myself) without reading that.

 

it's shocking.

people ... when you cover preps, and you have a chance to break out of the game story / notes / preview / sidebar rut with a story like this, you do it.

tell her story.