Heels On The Field: A Baseball Blog : September 2015

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September 2015

September 29, 2015

Social Media Harrassment of Female Sports Reporter Calls for Solutions. Here's A Few.

On Monday, sports anchor/Chicago Cubs blogger Julie DiCaro shared a story about her experiences with sports fans who made horrific, misogynistic comments to her recently, when she covered a story on Patrick Kane, the Chicago Blackhawks player accused of rape (she also shared a past incident from a sports message board in which she was called the big 'C' word).

DiCaro was greeted by a huge wave of support from men and women, colleagues and fans. After taking a momentary break, she returned to work and kept doing her job.

But what can we do other than tweet support and say how terrible that kind of thing is? We have to go further and these are just some ideas that could have an impact.

Male Sports Fans Need to Speak Up - I rarely venture to the comments section of any story, particularly my own. But when certain stories about women in sports have gotten attention, I've taken a look at reaction and sometimes chimed in. What struck me was that they're were guys who refused to engage in female-bashing language, and made their disgust clear. That's a powerful thing. For every guy that makes the typical gross, frightening comments to female sports reporters, there's five more that will come forward and denounce those types of guys. We need to see more of that. Going further, moderators need to shut that kind of abusive language down immediately, something I don't see them doing enough. But keep up the good fight, gentlemen. And thank you.

Teams Stance on Violence Against Women Trickles Down to Female Fans, Reporters - If you observe the way sports fans talk about female reporters, it's often that traditionally sexist mindset about looks and sex and, with some, it gets violent in tone, as it did for DiCaro, and on a personal note, with one reader years ago, that talked about how I needed to be murdered for what I wrote in a baseball story. Sports teams including women in 'Women's clinics' isn't enough in connecting to a large part of their fan base, that is also consistently growing. By implementing a comprehensive Domestic Violence Policy, MLB showed that their respect for women extends to their safety. And that extends to women in sports media. Young fans who see women being treated respectfully are receiving a message that is healthy, positive and doesn't allow for abuse of female fans or female sports professionals.

Women in Sports Media Have To Keep Speaking Up - Silence isn't going to make us stronger and it's not going to solve anything. By sharing her story, as many women in sports media have over the past few years, she took away a lot of the power that people like that have. We can change things with focused action. Calling out those fans, and appealing to fans that are equally offended by that kind of abuse, is shining a light on a problem that can't be ignored. Women are being threatened, harassed, and demeaned in a public forum, for doing their job. We have a responsibility to ourselves and to girls coming up behind us that need to know they don't have to suffer silently. Call it out as much as you can.

Hi Ladies. Looking at you. - Stop demeaning each other, competing with one another, tearing each other down. We have to call ourselves out for joining in the kind of sexist bashing men are doing. When reporter Erin Andrews was sexually violated, via a peeping tom in her hotel room who recorded her with a hidden camera, hearing and reading men's reaction wasn't as disappointing as what women wrote and said. Some of those women are in the sports industry. It was disheartening and frustrating, but also shed light on the societal issues we're still facing, which turn up in sports fandom and media. I can't tell you how many times I've read female fans bashing other female fans with catty comments about who looks more like a sports fan (you can't wear pink!) and who knows more. And just as many women as men jumped all over Andrews making an error during a college football game a few years ago. I read tons of women tweeting the old 'Erin doesn't know anything because she's attractive' bit, because she'd made ONE mistake. Stop doing this to each other. If you're a female fan, invite debate from other women like you. Talk to each other at games. Stick up for one another. And if you're a woman in sports media, stand up for one another on Twitter and Facebook. Reach out and connect when you see one another in the often male-dominated press box or locker room. Don't join the boys who are jerks. It'll get you nowhere.

These are just a few suggestions to combat the kind of blatant violently abusive language women in sports media are exposed to. Sometimes it feels like we're going numb to this kind of discourse. It can't be tolerated. Don't just shake your head. Speak up, shut comments like that down on Twitter, report and block those users, and block that kind of language against women from your website and blog comments section. Don't dance around it if you own the site or manage the debates. Stand the hell up and shut it out. Give them less space to express that kind of 'vitriol'. Every little bit adds up to something substantial.

Posted at 07:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 26, 2015

Pinch Hitting: Doug Hall on Value of Mentoring, Moving on from One Site, Gaining Confidence as MiLB Reporter

The 2015 minor league baseball season has been one of great peaks and great uncertainty for me. I had prior writing and blogging experience, but reporting from the clubhouse and the field was brand new.

From the start of my career I knew that I wanted to stand out from the crowd and planned accordingly. It’s all about dressing for success and presenting myself in a professional manner. For that reason, I chose to wear a business suit to any game or event that I cover, in order to stand out in the industry.

The second part of the plan was to network with industry leaders through social media. My rules of interaction were really simple. Interact in an intelligent, respectable manner and avoid negative discussions and topics whenever possible.

As the season began, I found myself with the ability and drive to succeed, but I was without a home after leaving my former company. Leaving that site was an easy decision, even though I had invested hundreds of hours work into it. Philosophical differences had become apparent in conversations with ownership and I just didn’t see a reason to stay in an uncomfortable position. When I figured the lack of financial compensation into the equation it became even more of a no-brainer.

The uncertainty of leaving that company for the unknown was a nervous time. I never doubted myself or my decision and remained confident in my abilities.

During this time I continued networking and fostering current relationships, knowing that an opportunity would eventually emerge.

After following Jessica Quiroli’s work and tweeting back and forth, I was asked to contribute a guest blog for her site “Heels on the Field.” This was a huge honor and opportunity for me to write for someone that I look up to as an industry leader.

She gave complete freedom on the topic and I quickly reached out to Chris Devenski of the Corpus Christi Hooks, who was having a breakout season. I knew that there was a great story to be told. Devenski gave me a time frame and his easy going personality made the interview a great experience. After the interview concluded, I wrote the article and asked my friend and colleague Lisa to edit it for me. This was a great opportunity and I wanted to make sure that I was submitting my absolute best work.

I emailed the article over to Jessica and anxiously awaited response. She emailed me back and changed the way that I look at writing. Not only did she offer advice on my work, but showed me the value in myself and my work. You can’t put a value on the time and effort that someone invests in you, and I’m forever grateful for everything that she has done for me.

A second opportunity came when Jed Weisberger of Pinstriped Prospects offered me a gig covering a Tri-City Valley Cats/Staten Island Yankees game. When I began blogging in 2014, he was the first reporter to follow and interact with me on social media. Whether we’re talking about players or I need advice on potential opportunities, he’s always there.

His support was crucial in building the foundation for my writing career. After agreeing to cover the game, the realization hit. I was being credentialed for the first time. I remember walking into the press box, and everyone turned around staring. I used my outgoing personality to my advantage, by introducing myself and making conversation with those in the press box. You never know how people are going to react and it was nice to get the awkward moment of silence out of the way. The game went by very quickly and thankfully I took good notes on my laptop, as I was on deadline for a post-game story.

It was the top of the ninth inning and I decided to head down to the clubhouse early in order to access Staten Island manager Pat Osborn and first-round pick Kyle Holder for interviews. There I stood, waiting in the clubhouse entrance, unsure of what to do next. After a couple of minutes, Javier Barragan (Video Manager for the Staten Island Yankees) asked me if I was waiting for someone. I asked him if I could speak with Pat Osborn and Kyle Holder for postgame interviews. I conducted the interviews doing my best to present my questions in a confident manner. I followed that up by covering the playoffs for Pinstriped Prospects. This was challenging though, as Heels on the Field had also asked me to cover both teams for the game and I had agreed to cover for her as well. Transparency and honesty are part of my core values and I informed both Pimpsner and Quiroli that I was working for both of them. They both agreed to the arrangements and I made preparations for the game. [Editorial Note: For anyone interested in writing for HOTF, exclusivity to this blog is not a requirement.]

This time I was a lot more confident, but the weather threw a curveball, as it rained all afternoon. I arrived at the ballpark early, looking to get some player interviews for the articles that were due. Media availability was tricky as Staten Island hadn’t arrived yet, and Tri-City had local television stations and team meetings before the game. Sam Sigal(ValleyCats Play-By-Play Broadcaster and Media Relations Coordinator,) noticed that I was early and asked if he could help in getting any players for me. The window for opportunity was narrow, due to the aforementioned issues, but Tri-Cities first baseman Dexture McCall took a few moments to interview for my piece. As McCall headed back to the locker room,he commented that I was “Looking sharp.” and that he appreciated that I dressed this way as a show of respect.

I walked around the stadium hoping that I would be able to get some pre-game interviews with the Staten Island Yankees, but it wasn’t in the cards. Osborn emerged from the clubhouse and I walked up and asked if he would be available for post-game interviews. He said that he remembered me and to meet him at the same spot as last time. I don’t know how or why he remembered me, but he did and that was a good thing.

The game was moving quite quickly when Sigal asked if I would join him in the play-by-play booth. Quickly I joined him and gained a new appreciation for broadcasters. Their ability to story tell and call a game on the fly aren’t easy things to do. In between innings, we spent time talking about each other’s experiences and our plans for the 2016 season. Networking is so important in this profession, so when people take time and interest in you, don’t hesitate to seize the moment. It was late in the game when we thanked each other for our contributions and I headed to the clubhouse.

I stood in the clubhouse awaiting Osborn as players headed to the bus, only this time the nerves weren’t there. I had more confidence.
Relationships are extremely important, I always take time to appreciate and thank team people for helping me.

With live coverage over for the season, I’ve had a little time to reflect. This season has taught me that I need to be more assertive both in the clubhouse and on the field goingforward. My reluctance cost me an article, but also gave me the opportunity to write this. As for having a home for 2016, I still plan to cover the Yankees for Pinstriped Prospects and write guest blogs when asked. The biggest news is that I will have my own website for the 2016 MiLB season. Stay tuned for details on that.

This season has certainly made me a better writer and person. I’m thankful for the opportunities and the mentoring that I’ve received from Jessica Quiroli, Jed Weisberger, Robert Pimpsner and Chuck Johnson. They’ve given me a tremendous gift, by investing time in me and I’m forever grateful.

A big thank you is in order for both the Tri-City ValleyCats and the Staten Island Yankees. They’re both great organizations that were always willing to help.

Last but not least, thank you to everyone that takes the time to read my work. You make the opportunity to write about this great game incredibly rewarding.

Twitter: @DougHall_NY

Posted at 08:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 25, 2015

Heels Watch: THAT Long Anticipated Cody Decker Social Media Moment PLUS a Chat with Rays Defensive POY Braxton Lee

Cody Decker finally got a call-up to the majors by the Padres on September 13th. It was, for many baseball fans, not just the Padres faithful, long overdue and incredibly exciting. Decker, 27, has played his entire career in the Padres organization, spending the last two seasons with Triple-A El Paso.

In true form, the first baseman shared the news with his legion of followers with the kind of kid-on-Christmas morning excitement longtime followers would expect.

He tweeted, "I've waited my entire life to say this....'I AM A BIG LEAGUER!' Thank you to everyone who has ever supported me.

Decker's announcement is one of the best examples of what can happen today when a minor leaguer baseball player connects with fans on Twitter, to create social media stardom, without having played a day in the majors. That wasn't an easy connection to make a few years ago. Today, minor leaguers are finding it much easier, with guys getting drafted and, within minutes gaining many new Twitter and Facebook followers.

A great example of Decker's social media power was his impact on the 2014 poll that MiLB.com conducted to determine the best MiLB player on Twitter. On November 13th, Jeremy Barfield was dominating the poll, when Decker casually tweeted that he should probably promote the contest, as did several high-profile people on Twitter with a massive following. Within hours, Decker went from 9% to 63% of the vote and ran away with the win. He gave the site's efforts a huge boost, proving just how far and wide his reach is. By the way, he's topped this blog's 'MiLB Twitter Twenty', which preceeded MiLB's fan-run poll in 2010, for three consecutive years. His promotion of the T20 also always leads to a boost in readership. Call it the 'Decker Effect.'

There's no way to determine if minor leaguers are going to reach a large fanbase, but Decker has made being an entertainer (he is a part-time professional actor) part of his Twitter game. Today's baseball fans, particularly minor league fans, are hungry for that, and he taps right into that passionate MiLB fanbase.
In being so fully connected to Padres fans and baseball fans everywhere, he celebrated a lifelong dream with thousands in his social media corner.

Defensively Speaking with Rays Prospect Braxton Lee

Centerfielder Braxton Lee was named the Rays Defensive Player of the Year to end the 2015 season, and he talked Friday about what he worked on in the field this year with the Charlotte Stone Crabs, his natural position, and the 'adrenaline rush' of going hard to make a play.

On Natural Defensive Ability: It's always been something I loved to work on but I also feel like it came very natural to run around in the outfield and just chase the ball. I have always loved to play 90 to nothing in the outfield because it gives me such an adrenaline rush and makes me excited to make every play or at least try too.

On the Move from Short to Outfield: I was always a short stop growing up until junior high then I moved to centerfield because I was faster than everyone else at the time and it just stuck ever since. It was like I was meant to play that position right when they put me out there it just felt right.
On Adjusting to Playing Professionally: Honestly I don't think there were any adjustments at all from an outfield perspective. Playing the outfield at any level is always gonna be the same. Just gotta play with that same fire and intensity everyday.

On Hitting: I mainly worked on being loose so I could be able and ready to hit the pitches I needed to hit. I know the end of the year I improved on squaring balls up and not fouling so many off, and it helped me get on base for the team. I had really good contact at the end of the year and that's what I feel like I improved on.

Yankees Instructional League Roster, Coverage

Look for coverage of instructs from George M. Steinbrenner Field starting next week, here and for Pinstriped Prospects. Pitchers Cale Coshow, Rookie Davis and Gabriel Encinas are on the roster. Coshow, who has been extensively covered on HOTF since his first professional season with the Staten Island Yankees, had an outstanding run with the High-A Tampa Yankees, before being promoted to Double-A Trenton. He is now ranked #28 in the Yankees organization by MLB.com.

Infield prospect Jorge Mateo is also playing, and you can read my report on him on the Pinstriped Prospects site.

Look for updates and stories starting October 1st.

Posted at 06:21 PM in Baseball, MiLB, Minor League Baseball | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 12, 2015

Southern League Playoffs Spotlight: Jared Mortensen Savors Post-Season with ‘Special’ Biscuits Team

Jared Mortensen experienced big highs in 2015, including a promotion to Triple-A Durham, and now participating in the Double-A Southern League Playoffs with the Montgomery Biscuits.

Mortensen returned from a 2-game stint with the Durham Bulls, earning a win in both outings. With the Bulls season done, the Tampa Bay Rays sent the RHP back to Montgomery to give the team an extra arm in post-season play. He made 17 regular season starts for the Biscuits in 2015, finishing with a 3.78 ERA, and 96 strikeouts in 114 innings of work.

Here’s what Mortensen said about the playoffs, his experience with the Bulls, and the chemistry of the Montgomery squad.

On Being Back with the Montgomery Biscuits after Playing with Durham Bulls: It was an incredible experience to play there in front of 10,000 plus. And to be around those types of guys who know the game so well it really helped me learn a lot more, just from guys who are experienced and understand baseball at its highest level. I'm really excited to be back, playoffs are why you play the game. You want to win and this team is about winning and playing together. I went in 2013 with the Stone Crabs and this season is more special than my time with them. So I'm excited to see what we're really capable of.

On Facing Triple-A Hitters: They have an approach no matter what count it is, whether they sit fastball or breaking ball. They don't swing freely like in AA. So it's a little tougher to get the swing and miss or get a guy to chase a pitch. The other challenge for me was adjusting to the crowd and how intense they are. They really get into it so it was tough to keep my nerves down.

On the Biscuits as a Team: The chemistry these guys have together is unreal. We play for each other. No one is bigger than the team and it shows every day on the field. The Biscuits are hot and we're going to continue to put crooked numbers up and post zeros.

On 2015 Highlight: Clinching the second half in Mobile. Seeing how happy everyone was to be in playoffs is truly a blessing. We all play to try and win every game and get to the post season, and we did it together by being a team that doesn't quit. We made a huge run and dominated the second half together and it was surreal to have it pay off.

You can follow Jared Mortensen on Twitter @jaredmortensen1

Posted at 01:19 PM in Baseball, International League, MiLB, Minor League Baseball, Southern League | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 10, 2015

Southern League Playoffs Preview: Montgomery Starter Austin Pruitt Talks Keys to 2015 Success

Florida - The Montgomery Biscuits head into the best of five semi-finals with several players on their roster that are brand new to Double-A. That includes starting pitcher Austin Pruitt. Pruitt confirmed that he’ll pitch Saturday’s home game against the Chattanooga Lookouts.

Righty Pruitt, who was drafted by the Rays in the 9th round in 2013, went 10-7 and finished with a 3.09 ERA in 26 starts for the Biscuits this season. In 160 innings of work, he allowed 38 walks, while striking out 122, good for 2nd of all Biscuits starters (Jaime Schultz leads the league with 168), and is 6th overall in the league.

“The key [to my success this season] has been executing pitches and the catcher calling great games . The defense has been great.”

On Catcher Jake DePew: He’s an awesome guy. A pretty stern guy that always has a plan behind the plate and his personality kind of keeps you in line on the mound. He's such a great guy you wanna do everything you can to make it easier on him behind the plate.

His Repertoire: I think my change up has been pretty solid for me all year. But all my pitches could use some work.

Standout Moments in the Playoffs Push: Just everything. The kind of baseball this team has been playing for us to be where we are now.

You can follow Austin on Twitter @aus13tin

Posted at 02:14 PM in Baseball, Minor League Baseball, Southern League | Permalink | Comments (0)

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