Sports stories
Important resources
State and regional information for most sports: CCCAA
Sports game stories
Attend the whole game and take notes. If you are unfamiliar with the rules of the game, do some research first, and then sit next to someone who appears to be knowledgeable and ask questions. Most fans will be happy to help. Thank them repeatedly. After the game, ask the coach or official scorekeeper to clarify details.
Interview coaches and players after the game. Ask about key plays, surprises, unexpected performances either good or bad.
Include the final score in the first or second paragraph, but include more information than just the score in the lead. Consider: Did one player stand out? How? Was there a play that turned the game around? How does this game affect the team’s standings?
Show, don’t tell. For example, show that a play or hit was tremendous instead of inserting the word “tremendous.”
Eliminate commentary. The following is commentary, unless somebody said it, in which case it should be in quotes: Nevertheless, the Rays were happy to take whatever play went their way after having a rough time in the past several weeks.
Clarify esoteric terms for readers. An example from the Arizona Wildcat: "On the mound, Fowler struggled with command as she walked 83 batters in 66.1 innings. Off the mound, injuries took their toll and forced her season to end due to thoracic outlet syndrome. But most readers don’t know anything about this medical condition. So add a sentence, clause or phrase to explain it. For example: ... thoracic outlet syndrome, a compression of "nerves."
Put the winning score first. De Anza beat Foothill 4-0 and also Foothill fell to De Anza 4-0.
A team or player ties the score, not the game. The Bears scored a last-minute touchdown to tie the score, 17-17. Also, The Blues and Predators were tied at two apiece through two periods.
Delete clichés like the plague. It’s bad enough that players often speak in clichés: "Leaving it all on the floor or field, taking it one game at a time, teammates getting on the same page, etc." Seek to replace jargon and clichés unless you are using these words and phrases in a creative manner.
Be on the lookout for athletes with interesting stories to tell for profiles. Coaches may tell you about players who are particularly inspiring because of what they do for the team or in their outside lives. You can pitch the profile stories for yourself, or help out your editors and non-sports loving classmates by providing story ideas. Journalists shouldn’t take sides, even at sports events. Don’t cheer, don’t boo. Don’t write about our team or the way we beat our dreaded archrivals, the Jaguars.
Checklist for sports game stories
From Tim Harrower's Inside Reporting:
The final score. This will usually run in the first paragraph if the story uses a summary news lead; otherwise, it runs as high in the story as possible.
The teams’ names and the type of sport, if it isn’t obvious from their names.
When and where the game took place.
The key players and the key plays. If one play or player dominated, that’s probably your lead.
Quotes from players and coaches on both sides.
Strategies that affected the outcome.
Key statistics, including any records set.
Injuries.
Both teams’ records and the effect of this game on the standings.
What this game means for upcoming games.
Other relevant factors such as weather, crowd, noise, athletes who sat out the game, etc.