I wasn’t expecting the call from Saratoga Today publisher Chad Beatty last Friday afternoon.
Chad and I had worked together in another life, so I recognized his voice right away, but I still wasn’t expecting to hear it.
I was returning back to my office in Latham from yet another stressful sales call. I don’t know how you salespeople do it. God bless you.
They say timing is everything and Chad called me at just the right time. It also helped Chad out that I answered the phone as he was looking for a sports editor. On the surface, it was a win-win for everybody.
Was I ready to dive back into the world of journalism?
Did I want to take calls from coaches and parents about scores and making sure that I spell their sons and daughters names correctly?
Did I want to get back in touch with the vast number of local sports people that I have met over the years that haven’t been part of my life on a daily and weekly basis for the last year?
Was I ready to get my press credentials for the greatest horse racing meet in the entire world and the most magical six weeks the Saratoga calendar has to offer?
Let’s see... Um… The answer to all of these questions is a resounding yes.
On a day my wonderful girlfriend – Natalie Singer (Skidmore Class of 2008) - makes her highly-anticipated return to Saratoga Springs from a year abroad in Spain, your native son is back in the biz Saratoga.
I’m looking forward to every minute of it.
From the winner’s circle at Saratoga Race Course this summer to the high school football gridiron this fall, Saratoga Today will be there.
From the basketball courts of winter to the baseball fields of spring, Saratoga Today will be there.
Among the countless thrills of covering local sports for a community newspaper is talking to the kids. People often ask me how many difficult interviews I have had with student-athletes over the years and the answer is still zero.
With the coaches and parents of these kids, the numbers aren’t so good, but that’s okay because we can work on that.
Sometimes kids are bashful during an interview and very short on their answers. That’s okay as well because it’s my job to make them comfortable and ask the right questions for each individual. Once I figure that out, they open right up.
Most people that know me know that I’m not much of an athlete myself, though I do try. I’m much better at observing athleticism and then conveying what I’ve seen to people.
With that being said, some of my fondest memories growing up here occured on the local Little League fields and basketball courts. We’re not all superstars, but in our own ways, we can all enjoy the spirit of competition that only sports provide.
Thanks for the call Mr. Beatty. Speaking of phones, my number is 581-2480 ext. 214, so get calling everybody.
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