I think the biggest asset that can facilitate the ability for a sports beat reporter to meet deadlines is the knowledge they possess for that particular sport they are reporting. If they go to a sporting event knowing the game rules, the player’s names, the managers, owners, etc. they are in such a better position to report the live event accurately and on deadline. The main hindrance to a sport beat reporters to meet deadlines is the most obvious answer to me is time. I know you’ve heard of the quote that ‘time flies when you’re having fun’ but it’s true. If you’re not focused and writing as the sporting event is taking place, then the time can definitely get away from a reporter. There are situations that happen that can affect a reporter’s time such as weather delays, a game going into overtime or maybe and accident or serious injury that postpones the sporting event.
I was able to make the deadline but I had the time. One nice thing about attending this track meet was that it started on time at 8:30am with the field events (running events started on time at 9am) and ended about 5:30pm. Now all meets are not organized as well. I was speaking with the head starter that I knew and she told me that she worked a meet last weekend that started at 9am and it didn’t end until almost 10pm because the timers were having issues with their equipment and she day said “they were just too comfortable and weren’t prepared.” It was a long day but I was still able to get to the house by 6:30pm to start the writing process. I think the biggest limitation for me with this live event was that I should’ve had a tape recorder. I had a small pad for writing down notes and ideas but I believe it would have made my process more stream line if I was using the recorder.
I was able to make the deadline but I had the time. One nice thing about attending this track meet was that it started on time at 8:30am with the field events (running events started on time at 9am) and ended about 5:30pm. Now all meets are not organized as well. I was speaking with the head starter that I knew and she told me that she worked a meet last weekend that started at 9am and it didn’t end until almost 10pm because the timers were having issues with their equipment and she day said “they were just too comfortable and weren’t prepared.” It was a long day but I was still able to get to the house by 6:30pm to start the writing process. I think the biggest limitation for me with this live event was that I should’ve had a tape recorder. I had a small pad for writing down notes and ideas but I believe it would have made my process more stream line if I was using the recorder.