Dear dimwit on the phone

[HanSenSE]

Monday must have been the day for weird ones.

Note from the ME to call lady about wrong names in softball story. So I call, and, of course, the first question is, "Where do you get your information for your stories." Alarums. Turns out, to me, to be a simple matter of a reporter or (in the case of road games, the scorer) of the name of the courtesy runner not getting in the book. But then I get to hear about how they only get the paper because her mother likes it, and is convinced the coach hates her kid and thought we might be in on the conspiracy (cue "Twilight Zone" theme, because I get up every morning wonder which kid I'm gonna cost a scholarship that day).

 

[Gator]

Monday must have been the day for weird ones.

Note from the ME to call lady about wrong names in softball story. So I call, and, of course, the first question is, "Where do you get your information for your stories." Alarums. Turns out, to me, to be a simple matter of a reporter or (in the case of road games, the scorer) of the name of the courtesy runner not getting in the book. But then I get to hear about how they only get the paper because her mother likes it, and is convinced the coach hates her kid and thought we might be in on the conspiracy (cue "Twilight Zone" theme, because I get up every morning wonder which kid I'm gonna cost a scholarship that day).

If a high school softball player gets a scholarship as a courtesy runner "specialist," that would be a first.

 

[young-gun11]

Monday must have been the day for weird ones.

Note from the ME to call lady about wrong names in softball story. So I call, and, of course, the first question is, "Where do you get your information for your stories." Alarums. Turns out, to me, to be a simple matter of a reporter or (in the case of road games, the scorer) of the name of the courtesy runner not getting in the book. But then I get to hear about how they only get the paper because her mother likes it, and is convinced the coach hates her kid and thought we might be in on the conspiracy (cue "Twilight Zone" theme, because I get up every morning wonder which kid I'm gonna cost a scholarship that day).

If a high school softball player gets a scholarship as a courtesy runner "specialist," that would be a first.

I just did a signing of a girl who was a courtesy runner this year. [[She was a two-year starter for back-to-back state champs, but two transfer students came in and one took her starting position. The transfer was a two-time all-state performer who couldn't get a ring at her previous school thanks to this one beating them two years in a row.]] Nonetheless, she was a courtesy runner who signed a scholly. I think her biggest attribute is losing her starting position and sticking out the season as a runner only. Was very admirable. By the way, the team won its third straight title this year.

 

[Gator]

Monday must have been the day for weird ones.

Note from the ME to call lady about wrong names in softball story. So I call, and, of course, the first question is, "Where do you get your information for your stories." Alarums. Turns out, to me, to be a simple matter of a reporter or (in the case of road games, the scorer) of the name of the courtesy runner not getting in the book. But then I get to hear about how they only get the paper because her mother likes it, and is convinced the coach hates her kid and thought we might be in on the conspiracy (cue "Twilight Zone" theme, because I get up every morning wonder which kid I'm gonna cost a scholarship that day).

If a high school softball player gets a scholarship as a courtesy runner "specialist," that would be a first.

I just did a signing of a girl who was a courtesy runner this year. [[She was a two-year starter for back-to-back state champs, but two transfer students came in and one took her starting position. The transfer was a two-time all-state performer who couldn't get a ring at her previous school thanks to this one beating them two years in a row.]] Nonetheless, she was a courtesy runner who signed a scholly. I think her biggest attribute is losing her starting position and sticking out the season as a runner only. Was very admirable. By the way, the team won its third straight title this year.

Wow .. I stand corrected.

But a few things. I hope the new girls didn't transfer to get "a ring." Because that's kind of sad.

Secondly, if the runner signed a scholarship, where did the new starter go? Because she must be hands down better. And lastly, just how good is this softball team? A D-I signee that doesn't start? You're treated to some very good sports, wherever you are.

 

[BillyT]

I'm sure I'm not the first, but here's something pretty annoying. A guy had a submission about a local rifle club competition, which was fine. He emailed me the results and a picture and thanked me when it ran a few days later.

But here's where he's a dimwit. Now I'm on his forward mailing list, and I've been getting all of those killer jokes, doctored pictures and "send this to 10 people or you'll die" emails for the last week. There's been at least 5-6. What a clown.

heh, I get a lot of this too now... I normally just chalk it up to someone not being that tech-savvy, if they're older than 35, 40. Under that though, and yeah, you have no excuse.

There are some of us in our 50s who have been at the Internet gig for 20 years.

Just sayin'

(Not that I disagree with what you said.)

 

[MonsterLobster]

Monday must have been the day for weird ones.

Note from the ME to call lady about wrong names in softball story. So I call, and, of course, the first question is, "Where do you get your information for your stories." Alarums. Turns out, to me, to be a simple matter of a reporter or (in the case of road games, the scorer) of the name of the courtesy runner not getting in the book. But then I get to hear about how they only get the paper because her mother likes it, and is convinced the coach hates her kid and thought we might be in on the conspiracy (cue "Twilight Zone" theme, because I get up every morning wonder which kid I'm gonna cost a scholarship that day).

You know you're in for some serious conspiracy theorizing when they open the questioning with, "Where do you get your information for you articles?" When I hear that phrase I slump in my chair because it means one of two things.

1) The coach accidentaly left something out and, while you're happy to run a correction, you'll have to sit through five minutes of damning allegations about how you also hate their kid and you're supposed to be a reporter who actually reports, not just answers calls at night and takes stats over the phone.

2) Some minor detail was (rightfully) left out of a 12-inch story, like how a kid made two first-quarter free throws in a 30-point loss, and despite that amazing performance, his name was not mentioned in the story.

Then, of course, you've got to sit through the obligatory you-need-to-be-more-fair-to-all-the-kids-and-high-schools-not-just-the-one-your-editor's-kid-surely-goes-to lecture at the end.

 

[Batman]

If I had a nickel for every time one of our photographers shot a picture of a courtesy runner -- whose name is, of course, not on the lineup card, thus forcing us to scramble on deadline to find it -- I'd be able to keep newspapers running for another 50 years.

 

[spikechiquet]

If I had a nickel for every time one of our photographers shot a picture of a courtesy runner -- whose name is, of course, not on the lineup card, thus forcing us to scramble on deadline to find it -- I'd be able to keep newspapers running for another 50 years.

Those JV kids...they work so hard.

 

[Stitch]

If I had a nickel for every time one of our photographers shot a picture of a courtesy runner -- whose name is, of course, not on the lineup card, thus forcing us to scramble on deadline to find it -- I'd be able to keep newspapers running for another 50 years.

If only photographers took photos of kids you'd actually use instead of some scrub.

 

[young-gun11]

Monday must have been the day for weird ones.

Note from the ME to call lady about wrong names in softball story. So I call, and, of course, the first question is, "Where do you get your information for your stories." Alarums. Turns out, to me, to be a simple matter of a reporter or (in the case of road games, the scorer) of the name of the courtesy runner not getting in the book. But then I get to hear about how they only get the paper because her mother likes it, and is convinced the coach hates her kid and thought we might be in on the conspiracy (cue "Twilight Zone" theme, because I get up every morning wonder which kid I'm gonna cost a scholarship that day).

If a high school softball player gets a scholarship as a courtesy runner "specialist," that would be a first.

I just did a signing of a girl who was a courtesy runner this year. [[She was a two-year starter for back-to-back state champs, but two transfer students came in and one took her starting position. The transfer was a two-time all-state performer who couldn't get a ring at her previous school thanks to this one beating them two years in a row.]] Nonetheless, she was a courtesy runner who signed a scholly. I think her biggest attribute is losing her starting position and sticking out the season as a runner only. Was very admirable. By the way, the team won its third straight title this year.

Wow .. I stand corrected.

But a few things. I hope the new girls didn't transfer to get "a ring." Because that's kind of sad.

Secondly, if the runner signed a scholarship, where did the new starter go? Because she must be hands down better. And lastly, just how good is this softball team? A D-I signee that doesn't start? You're treated to some very good sports, wherever you are.

1. After the title game her quote was, "Can't beat them? Join them." So, I think she came just for the ring.

2. The softball team is a 3-time defending champ..they're pretty good. The transfer is only a junior this season. The runner didn't sign D-I, however. She signed with a JUCO who just finished the NJCAA national tournament. (Narrowing the field)

As far as softball goes, it seems to be "Queen" around these parts. In all seriousness, the girls athletics around here are phenomenal. Each year there is a team who goes to state basketball finals, and two top-ranked softball programs in two different clashes. (FWIW, the school with the girl who signed beat the school who was ranked No. 1 in 5A)

 

[Baron Scicluna]

Monday must have been the day for weird ones.

Note from the ME to call lady about wrong names in softball story. So I call, and, of course, the first question is, "Where do you get your information for your stories." Alarums. Turns out, to me, to be a simple matter of a reporter or (in the case of road games, the scorer) of the name of the courtesy runner not getting in the book. But then I get to hear about how they only get the paper because her mother likes it, and is convinced the coach hates her kid and thought we might be in on the conspiracy (cue "Twilight Zone" theme, because I get up every morning wonder which kid I'm gonna cost a scholarship that day).

If a high school softball player gets a scholarship as a courtesy runner "specialist," that would be a first.

Well, it's already happened in the majors, so why not?

 

[HanSenSE]

Monday must have been the day for weird ones.

Note from the ME to call lady about wrong names in softball story. So I call, and, of course, the first question is, "Where do you get your information for your stories." Alarums. Turns out, to me, to be a simple matter of a reporter or (in the case of road games, the scorer) of the name of the courtesy runner not getting in the book. But then I get to hear about how they only get the paper because her mother likes it, and is convinced the coach hates her kid and thought we might be in on the conspiracy (cue "Twilight Zone" theme, because I get up every morning wonder which kid I'm gonna cost a scholarship that day).

You know you're in for some serious conspiracy theorizing when they open the questioning with, "Where do you get your information for you articles?" When I hear that phrase I slump in my chair because it means one of two things.

1) The coach accidentaly left something out and, while you're happy to run a correction, you'll have to sit through five minutes of damning allegations about how you also hate their kid and you're supposed to be a reporter who actually reports, not just answers calls at night and takes stats over the phone.

2) Some minor detail was (rightfully) left out of a 12-inch story, like how a kid made two first-quarter free throws in a 30-point loss, and despite that amazing performance, his name was not mentioned in the story.

Then, of course, you've got to sit through the obligatory you-need-to-be-more-fair-to-all-the-kids-and-high-schools-not-just-the-one-your-editor's-kid-surely-goes-to lecture at the end.

This. About all you can do is hear them out, try to get something specific and try not to scream "Freedom!" when you're called up to the front desk to get the JV softball team photo (and not just because I work for a Lee paper).

PS: Baron beat me to the Herb Washington reference.